National park · New Zealand
Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
Visit Pelorus Bridge: spend 2 h on the Totara Walk (free, easy) or 3–4 h on the Tawa Walk (moderate) in summer; no entry fee, bring swim gear, and use the south car‑park for facilities.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
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Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1950
Best months
Apr, Oct–Dec
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
- South Island ↗Left-hand drive; many one-lane bridges and single-lane sections on the West Coast and Milford roads. Allow more time than the distance suggests.
- South Island ↗Weather changes fast in the high country; check the forecast before any alpine or fiord day and carry rain and warm layers.
- Marlborough ↗Left-hand driving; SH1 is the spine. One-lane bridges and unsealed vineyard and Sounds side roads — check your rental's gravel policy.
- Marlborough ↗The Marlborough Sounds are reached by water taxi or scheduled boat from Picton (Queen Charlotte Sound) and Havelock (Pelorus Sound); book the return leg when you book the outbound.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Approx. 0.5 km² (small reserve centred on the bridge; size from DOC description).
- Established
- 1950
- Best months
- Apr, Oct–Dec
- Permits
- Not needed
Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve offers short, well‑marked native‑forest walks, a swimming hole and basic DOC camping, all free of entry charge and easily reachable from SH 6.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1950.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1950
Approx. 0.5 km² (small reserve centred on the bridge; size from DOC description).
Why go
- Well‑marked native‑forest walks of varying length.
- Easy access to a swimming hole in the Pelorus River.
- Spotting kingfishers and native birds from the tracks.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanMild summer, good for walks.
- FebWarm, low rain.
- MarSpring, flora at peak.
- AprLate autumn, fewer crowds.
- MayCooler, still walkable.
- JunWinter start, occasional rain.
- JulWinter, cooler temps.
- AugWinter, still accessible.
- SepSpring, good bird activity.
- OctSpring, clear days.
- NovEarly summer, warm.
- DecSummer, best for swimming.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KingfisherAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tui, bellbird, fantailSep–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nelson
SH6 west 45 km (28 mi); turn left at Pelorus Bridge sign.SH6 west 28 mi (45 km); turn left at Pelorus Bridge sign.
45 min
Open the page →
From Blenheim
SH6 east 55 km (34 mi); follow signs to Pelorus Bridge.SH6 east 34 mi (55 km); follow signs to Pelorus Bridge.
1 h
Open the page →
From Havelock
SH6 north 15 km (9.3 mi); turn right at bridge.SH6 north 9.3 mi (15 km); turn right at bridge.
20 min
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| North car‑park | Parking, toilets, cafe, DoC office, trailheads for Totara Walk and Tawa Walk. | Open year‑round. |
| South car‑park | Larger parking, Kahikatea Flat camp site, toilets, showers, power. | Open year‑round. |
Sketch map
- 1North car‑park · Headquarters≈-41.298, 173.571Parking, toilets, cafe, trailheads for Totara and Tawa walks.Map ↗
- 2South car‑park / Kahikatea Flat campground · Sleep≈-41.299, 173.572Larger parking, showers, power and DOC campsites.Map ↗
- 3Pelorus Bridge · Viewpoint≈-41.298, 173.572Historic bridge over the Pelorus River, scenic spot.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from DOC map; approximate centre of the reserve.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free of charge. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Leashed on tracks; must be under control.
- Camping
- Only in designated DOC campgrounds; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided BBQs where available.
- Swimming
- Check water depth and current; no lifeguard.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pelorus Bridge campground (DOC)
Basic cabins, powered sites, toilets, showers; book via DOC.
Near the park
Havelock town
B&Bs, motels, restaurants; 15 min drive.
Safety
Cold water medium
River currents medium
Sun exposure low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- North car‑park has level paths to Totara Walk start.
- Toilets accessible via paved routes.
Visiting lightly
- Use the designated campgrounds; avoid off‑track walking.
- Take all rubbish with you.
- Support the local cafe and DOC facilities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pelorus Bridge?
Entry is free; no ticket required.
What are the best hikes in Pelorus Bridge?
Totara Walk (easy, 1 h) and Tawa Walk (moderate, 2 h) are the most popular, both starting from the north car‑park.
When is the best time to visit Pelorus Bridge?
Summer months (Dec–Feb) offer warm weather and swimming; spring and autumn are also good with fewer crowds.
Can I camp at Pelorus Bridge?
Yes, at the DOC Kahikatea Flat campground; bookings via the DOC website or the on‑site cafe.
Is there a toilet facility?
Both north and south car‑parks have toilets; the south site also has showers.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
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