Ōruawairua Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Experience the stunning views, native wildlife and history on Blumine Island/Ōruawairua.

This DOC directory entry covers Ōruawairua Track in Marlborough, within Blumine Island Scenic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 2.4 km one way
• Walking time: 55 min
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Follow the track from the Blumine Island campsite to the Western gun emplacement.

This track has a couple of short steep sections on it, otherwise it follows a gentle gradient around the hill with several lookout points along the way. The track has been upgraded and completed with the generous assistance of Blacks Fasteners.

Experience stunning views over Queen Charlotte Sound and possibly spot some of the wildlife on the island. You could be lucky enough to see the endangered saddleback or orange fronted parakeet.

Check in at one of the weta 'motels' to see if they are resident along the way. Don't feed the plentiful weka and take care they don't steal your lunch.

View of Long Island from the western gun emplacement on Blumine Island/Ōruawairua

Getting there

Ōruawairua Track is on Blumine Island/Ōruawairua which is 22 km from Picton in Queen Charlotte Sound. You can get there by your own boat, on a water taxi from Picton or by sea kayak.

Know before you go

You will need to go to the island by your own boat, a water taxi from Picton or by sea kayak. There are no moorings or jetties so you need to be prepared to anchor your boat and to get wet feet on the beach landing.

Since you are visiting a pest free island, it is vital that you take steps to ensure you do not jeopardise the island’s pest free status.

If you are taking your own boat be sure to check your vessel for rats, mice and ants. Look for signs of rodents such as droppings and gnawing. Keep fresh bait and/or set traps on your vessel and in the area it is stored.

All gear must be free of rats, mice and ants – especially camping gear which has ideal places for pests to hide when stored. Take extra care to clean gear if you have Argentine ants where you live.

Report any sighting of pests on pest free islands to the DOC emergency hotline: 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Water safety

If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.

Nature and conservation

Blumine Island Conservation Project: Working alongside DOC, Blacks Fasteners are supporting the relocation of the endangered yellowhead/mohua onto Blumine Island/Ōruawairua.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.