Your Epic Guide to the Best Waterfalls, New Zealand: Marlborough Edition
Here is the tenth edition of my epic guide to the best waterfalls in New Zealand – specifically written for the Marlborough region. While the region does not have too many waterfalls of which to boast, below are its seven waterfalls, along with all the details you’ll want, to plan your visit.
Mount Richmond Forest Park
Mount Richmond Forest Park spans then mountainous region south of Nelson and Blenheim towns, and features its namesake, Mount Richmond, a 1760 metre high peak.
1. Whispering Falls, Mount Richmond Forest Park
General Location: Whispering Falls is right at the top of the South Island, where the Tasman and Marlborough Regions meet. Nearest Civilisation: Whispering Falls is a half hour drive from Nelson, 26 kilometres, or 16 miles. Immediate Surroundings: Whispering Falls sits on the Miner River in the Aniseed Valley, which is in Mount Richmond Forest Park.
Waterfall Height: Whispering Falls is 10 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: You can view the lower and upper waterfalls from the end of the trail. Waterfall Name: Whispering Falls is lots of little trickles down a mossy face so I imagine the name comes from the sound that these gentle waterfalls make!
Getting There: You can take the Whispering Falls Track to Whispering Falls. Track Distance: The Whispering Falls Walk is 7.4 kilometres, or 4.5 miles. Walk Time: It’s an hour and a half return to and from Whispering Falls.
Swimming: There is a swimming hole at the trailhead but not at the Falls themselves. Dogs: Dogs can visit Whispering Falls but need a Department of Conservation permit. Wheelchairs and Prams: The track to the Falls is rated advanced and has stream crossings, so is a no-go for wheelchairs and prams.
Go, Because: Go, because Whispering Falls is a great little excursion, close to Nelson, and a pretty walk. Something Extra: You can head up from the Falls to Hacket Hut or Browning Hut if you’d like a bit more of a walk. Last Updated: October, 2024.
2. Pine Valley Waterfall, Mount Richmond Forest Park
General Location: Pine Valley Waterfall is at the top of the South Island, inland of the Marlborough Sounds. Nearest Civilisation: Because Pine Valley Waterfall is on the other side of Mount Richmond Forest Park to Whispering Falls, its best accessed from the town of Blenheim, which is 45 minutes drive away (48 kilometres, or 30 miles).
Immediate Surroundings: Pine Valley Waterfall is located in Mount Richmond Forest Park, on the Pine Valley Stream. Waterfall Height: Pine Valley Waterfall is 10 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: You can view Pine Valley Waterfall from it’s base.
Waterfall Name: Pine Valley Waterfall is named for the stream and the valley – and for the forest. Getting There: The Pine Valley Track goes up to Pine Valley Waterfall. Walk Time: Allow 40 minutes for the return walk to Pine Valley Waterfall.
Swimming: There are a couple of swimming holes on the track up to Pine Valley Waterfall. Dogs: Dogs will need a Department of Conservation permit to be in Mount Richmond Forest Park. Wheelchairs and Prams: The roots on the track and likelihood of it being slippery make it unsuitable for wheelchairs and prams.
Go, Because: Go, because it’s a short walk through beautiful forest to a stunning waterfall, and so accessible from Blenheim! The road in is windy but that just means you can get the feeling of being really remote, without having to walk for days to achieve that.
Something Extra: Starting from the same trailhead is a five hour walk to Fishtail Mountain Hut, if you want to make an overnight adventure of it! Last Updated: November, 2024.
Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
Straddling the Pelorus River, the Pelorus Bridge, and the scenic reserve around it, is a fabulous stop in the drive between Tasman and Marlborough. The river is emerald green, and while jumping from the bridge is forbidden, jumping from the rocks into the water is tremendous fun! There are two waterfalls hidden away in the reserve; if you’re visiting, read on ..
3. Elvy Waterfall, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
General Location: Elvy Waterfalls are a pair of waterfalls located halfway along State Highway 6, which runs between Nelson in the Tasman Region and Blenheim in the Marlborough Region. The highway goes through the Rai Valley and part of it goes along the Pelorus River. Nearest Civilisation: Elvy Waterfalls are closest to the tiny town of Havelock, a quarter hour’s drive away (19 kilometres, or 12 miles).
Immediate Surroundings: The Elvy Waterfalls are on the Elvy Stream, which is off the Pelorus River and accessed from the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. Much of the walk is along the Pelorus River before it turns and follows the stream. Waterfall Height: Elvy Waterfalls is 3 metres tall.
Waterfall Viewpoints: The track will take you to the base of Elvy Waterfall – there are actually two waterfalls ten minutes apart to have a look at. Waterfall Name: The Pelorus River misnamed Te Hoiere in Māori, which means ‘the long paddle’. (It had taken a long time for the first Māori explorers to paddle through the Pelorus Sound, back in the 13th or 14th Century). Pelorus River feeds into Pelorus Sound, which is why they share a name.
Getting There: From the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve carpark, take the Elvy Waterfalls Track. Track Distance: The return walk to the waterfalls is 1.5 kilometres (1 mile). Walk Time: Allow two hours for the return walk to the waterfalls.
Swimming: The waterfall itself is not really suited to swimming, but there’s a fabulous swimming hole at Pelorus Bridge where the trail starts. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted at the Elvy Waterfalls. Wheelchairs and Prams: The Elvy Waterfalls Track is not suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
Go, Because: Go, because this is a filming location for Lord of the Rings – the Hobbit Trilogy. Remember when, in The Desolation of Smaug, the hobbits all escape in barrels and float down the river? This is where that was shot! And yes, the river is emerald green and crystal clear in real life, too.
Something Extra: There are so many incredible spots for swimming in the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve: your something extra is to find one you feel safe in and take the plunge. Last Updated: November, 2024.
4. Rai Falls, Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve
General Location: Rai Falls is halfway between Nelson in the Tasman Region and Blenheim in the Marlborough Region. You’ll see the Falls on the highway between the two towns. Nearest Civilisation: Rai Falls are closest to the tiny town of Havelock, a twenty minute drive away (25 kilometres, or 16 miles).
Immediate Surroundings: Rai Falls is also, like Elvy Waterfall, part of the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. They’re on the Rai River, however, not far from where the Rai and Pelorus Rivers meet. Waterfall Height: Rai Falls is 5 metres tall – it’s really just a big rapid. Waterfall Viewpoints: Rai Falls is viewed from the side of the road.
Waterfall Name: Rai Falls is named for the Rai Valley, which it is situated in. Getting There: There’s no track to Rai Falls; you can see it from the highway. Track Distance: No walking involved!
Walk Time: You don’t need to walk to Rai Falls. Swimming: Rai Falls are not suited for swimming – but the area around Pelorus Bridge is, and that’s not far away. Dogs: Dogs should stay on a leash, or in the car, as you’re on a main highway.
Wheelchairs and Prams: Rai Falls is viewable from the road, so you can see it without having to get out and walk. Go, Because: Go, because this one doesn’t even require any walking!
Something Extra: There are lots of beautiful places to explore in the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, so pick one, and make an afternoon of it. Don’t forget your swimwear! Last Updated: November, 2024.
The Marlborough Sounds
Kenepuru Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound (Māori name Tōtaranui) and Pelorus Sound (Māori name Te Hoiere) are collectively known as the Marlborough Sounds. The kilometres upon kilometres of coastline you see in the map below total a fifth of all of New Zealand’s coastline!! And hidden within the endless bays and the coves, and in the towns at the bottoms of them, are our final three waterfalls:
5. Havelock Waterfall
General Location: Havelock Waterfall is in the town of Havelock, at the base of Pelorus Sound, one of the three sounds that make up the Marlborough Sounds at the top of the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: Havelock Waterfall is very close – just 500 metres from the centre of Havelock itself. Immediate Surroundings: The track to Havelock Waterfall is part of a network of tracks on Mount Takoriko, a 721 metre high hill.
Waterfall Height: Havelock Waterfall is 6 metres tall. Waterfall Viewpoints: You’ll get to see two waterfalls along the Waterfall Track. Waterfall Name: Havelock Waterfall is named for the town, which is named after Sir Henry Havelock, a British General from the 1800s.
Getting There: From Takorika Street, where all the walking trails leave from, take Waterfall Track. It’s best to do your descent via another track, as the Waterfall Track is very steep. Track Distance: The walk to and from the waterfalls is 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles).
Walk Time: It’ll take you 20 minutes return to reach the lower of the waterfalls. There’s a second one further up, but it’s a scramble. Give yourself an hour for both.
Swimming: The waterfalls are too small for decent swimming. Dogs: Dogs are permitted at Havelock Waterfall but need to be on a leash. Wheelchairs and Prams: The track to Havelock Waterfall is too steep for those on wheels. Go, Because: Go, because if you go at night, you’ll see glowworms on the walk to Havelock Waterfall, so save this one for after dinner!
Something Extra: Your something extra is to summit Mount Takorika (721 metres) for views down over Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere. Pelorus Sound is one of the three that are collectively known as the Marlborough Sounds (the other two being Kenepuru Sound and Queen Charlotte Sound). The Malborough Sounds alone make up a fifth of the country’s coastline!! Last Updated: November, 2024.
6. Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall, Smiths Farm Holiday Park
General Location: Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall (and Smiths Farm Holiday Park itself, for that matter) is a little inland from the bottom of Queen Charlotte Sound, one of the three Marlborough Sounds, and the one that has all the ferry traffic which shuttles between the North Island and the South Island. Nearest Civilisation: Smiths Farm Holiday Park is about halfway between Havelock and Picton, which is the port town from where the boat to the North Island is accessed. Picton is half an hour’s drive from Smiths Farm Holiday Park (20 kilometres, or 12 miles).
Immediate Surroundings: Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall is located within the Smiths Farm Holiday Park. The Park is a campsite with cabins, units, motels and a cottage, as well as powered and non powered campsites, from where visitors to the area can head out to explore the Marlborough Region. Waterfall Height: Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall is 20 metres high.
Waterfall Viewpoints: You can view Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall from its base. Waterfall Name: The waterfall is named after the holiday park, which, in turn, is named after the family that own it. Getting There: There is a bush walk across the farm to Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall, but you do need to be staying there to be allowed to access it.
Track Distance: There is no official track to Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall, but the owners will point you in the right direction. Dogs: Dogs must be on a leash and must have prior approval to be allowed to stay at Smiths Farm, which is a working farm. Wheelchairs and Prams: The farmland terrain makes the walk to Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall unsuitable for wheelchairs and prams.
Go, Because: Go, because if you go in the evening there are glowworms on the walk to Smiths Farm Holiday Park Waterfall!
Something Extra: Smiths Farm is 3 kilometres from the Queen Charlotte Track, one of the country’s best multi-day hikes. It can also be cycled, and, using the system of water taxis, it is quite feasible to just do a day on the track, so look into whatever option appeals to you. It’s too beautiful to miss it entirely. Last Updated: November, 2024.
7. Ship Cove Waterfall / Meretoto Waterfall
General Location: Ship Cove Waterfall is located within Ship Cove, right up the tippy top of Queen Charlotte Sound – it can only be accessed by boat. Nearest Civilisation: It’s the port town of Picton, which is at the base of Queen Charlotte Sound. The ferry up to Ship Cove will take one to one and a half hours.
Immediate Surroundings: Ship Cove sits on the Queen Charlotte Track and is located within Queen Charlotte Sound. It’s actually the startpoint/endpoint of the five day walk. Waterfall Viewpoints: You can view Ship Cove Waterfall from the bottom.
Waterfall Name: Ship Cove Waterfall is named for Ship Cove, obviously. It’s where James Cook, the first British explorer to reach New Zealand, first anchored, (and its why you’ll find there’s an inlet nearby named after his ship, the Endeavour). The Māori name, Meretoto, translates to bloody mere (a club made of greenstone and used as a weapon).
Getting There: From Ship Cove, take the Waterfall Track to the Ship Cove Waterfall. This would be done before you start on the Queen Charlotte Track, as they are different tracks. Walk Time: From the trailhead of the Queen Charlotte Track, from Ship Cove, it’s a 40 minute walk return.
Swimming: Swimming is a beautiful pass-time, in the cove itself. Dogs: Dogs are not permitted at Ship Cove Waterfall. Wheelchairs and Prams: The steep terrain makes Ship Cove unsuitable for wheelchairs and prams.
Go, Because: Go, because the beauty of the Marlborough Sounds is breathtaking and the boat trip up here will show you the best of it. Something Extra: Something extra: The famous Queen Charlotte Track! Why not attempt a section of the track, if not all, or take to a bike to complete the 73 kilometre route in three days? Last Updated: November, 2024.
And there we have it! Marlborough Region only has a small smattering of waterfalls, but between the forest park, the river and the sounds, you are absolutely spoiled for wilderness fixes. Next time you’re in the area, make a point of checking one or two of these out!