Totara Walk

Totara Walk

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

7 Rankers Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

5 Pelorus

Your Nature Guide

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

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Photos

Pelorus River along the Totara Walk

Information

Totara Walk

800 m return | 30 minutes return

This wheelchair graded loop passes through some fine forest, dominated by a high canopy of totara with a sub-canopy of tawa.

Walking Track

Access

Pelorus Bridge is 9km west of Canvastown and 9km south of Rai Valley on SH6. Tawa Path and Waterfalls tracks are accessed from the parking area by the tea rooms. For other tracks it’s safer to park on the far side of SH6 as this is a busy road.

The start of the track is signposted on the opposite side of SH6 from the tea rooms parking area. There’s also a parking area on this side of the road so you don’t have to cross busy SH6.

Track

This wheelchair graded loop passes through more fine forest. Shortly after the start of the track there’s a detour to a shingle beach by the river.

At the apex of the corner there’s views up to Pelorus Bridge.

A further detour takes you alongside the river to Totara Flat Picnic Area (10 minutes one-way).

Just before the end of the track, look for the massive totara on the left.

Flora

This forest is dominated by a high canopy of totara with a sub-canopy of tawa. The understorey is mostly regenerating broadleaf species with kamahi, hinau, black beech and putaputaweta. Coprosmas form the shrub tier with pongas, five finger and horopito. The floor of ferns give a lush, yet open feel to the forest.

The totara was revered amongst Maori for its strength. They carved waka, built whare and carved food boxes from the hard wood. For early settlers, totara was the preferred wood for use in fence posts, power poles, railway sleepers and bridges. As it was resistant to the teredo worm, it also found favour in the construction of wharves. This forest was thankfully spared.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Marlborough

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandMarlboroughPelorus

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.2988800462449

173.572699332237

Latitude
-41.2988800462449
Longitude
173.572699332237

Nearby

Reviews

    • Make sure you walk down to the river!
    • The most jaw dropping experience yet.
    • 06Oct18.
    • Great little spot for a dip, beautiful water.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 3
    43%
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  • 5.0/5

    06Oct18.

    Not really sure why there is a separate entry for this. As good as the other walks.

    Reviewed about 6 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice places in the forest, much water, not many people.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016

  • 5.0/5

    The most jaw dropping experience yet.

    It was as if mermaids inhabited the pristine, clear water. Rain or shine, you will be rewarded.

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 4.0/5

    We took this walk spontaneously and decided to go the route of the river access.

    It is a bit hard to walk down but so worth it. Crystal clear calm waters and beautiful places to jump in!

    Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Great little spot for a dip, beautiful water.

    Reviewed almost 9 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Make sure you walk down to the river!

    The water is so clear and make the perfect swimming hole at the right time of the year!

    Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 5.0/5

    Hard to get into the water, but totally worth it, breathtaking scenery.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014