Havelock: Paths, Marina and History

Havelock lies at the head of Pelorus Sound and at the mouths of the Pelorus River and Kaituna River. You can combine different interests when planning your trip: paths to the marina, longer routes for hikers and mountain bikers, and local history spanning a Māori pā, the gold rush and the sawmilling industry. Art and the annual Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival add to the options. If you are looking for a hotel, you can use these themes as a starting point for planning your trip.

Paths and connections

The Motuweka Pathway provides pedestrian access to the end of South Mole at the entrance to Havelock Marina. For a longer route, the Link Pathway is a 42-kilometre walking and mountain biking trail connecting Havelock, Picton, Anakiwa and the Queen Charlotte Track. The Motuweka Havelock Boardwalk completes the Link Pathway’s final connection to Havelock. It was completed in 2021, with arched bridges and views over the Kaituna Estuary. Check the Link Pathway conditions before your trip.

The Nydia Track nearby is accessible from Havelock. It takes two days to walk as a trekking route, or five to eight hours by mountain bike. You can compare these timeframes with the mode of travel you are planning for the track. The figures answer different questions: the 42 kilometres of the Link Pathway refer to a route length, while the Nydia Track’s figures focus on the time needed for trekking or mountain biking.

History and culture

Local history begins before the gold-mining era: before Havelock was settled as a gold-mining town, it was a Māori pā called Motuweka. After gold was discovered at nearby Wakamarina River in 1863, Havelock developed into a major supply centre for thousands of miners. The Māori pā and the later development into a supply centre mark distinct periods in this history.

The Havelock Museum was founded in 1973 and opened an exhibition to the public, devoted largely to the sawmilling industry. Alongside Motuweka and the gold rush, the sawmilling industry is another distinct point of reference in the town’s history. The Gallery Havelock is a two-storey boutique fine art gallery representing artists from the wider Marlborough Sounds region. Together, these offer different cultural themes: local industrial history and fine art with a regional connection to its artists.

Events and tours

The Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival is held annually at Havelock Memorial Park. Check the venue for the relevant year’s event. If you are planning your trip around the festival, confirming the venue is a practical step in your preparations.

The Pelorus Mail Boat has delivered mail by water to residents of Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere in the Marlborough Sounds since 1918, and offers visitor tours along the mail route. Before travelling, check whether a tour is offered on your dates. The Greenshell Mussel Cruise departs from Havelock’s busy marina; confirm the departure arrangements before making it a firm part of your plans. This distinguishes the two maritime experiences: a visitor tour along the mail route and a cruise departing from Havelock Marina.

Discover more destinations: Anakiwa, Picton, Kenepuru Head, Portage, Renwick, Canvastown, Rai Valley, Grovetown

For the broader travel overview: Marlborough District.