SOUTH ISLAND WALKS

Port Underwood Drive

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1820s Sealers were the first to visited Port Underwood then around about 1826 and they were followed immediately by the whaling ships

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: South Island NZ
  • Distance: 74 kms
  • Time needed: 5 Hours
  • Difficulty: Very Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: Round Trip
  • Elevation: 400m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: No
  • Mobile Coverage: No
  • Last Updated: November, 2019
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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Fantastic view of the coast line plus relaxing little bays to call into.

Track Quality

Narrow, windy and 21KS of gravel road

Hazards

Logging Truck operate from out of Oyster Bay

Transport

Unknown

Water

Unknown

Driving Instructions

In the middle of main St of picton (High St) there is a roundabout. That St is called Waikawa Rd drive east, out to Waikawa Bay. (4.6Ks) Keep following your nose on to Port Underwood Rd.
From here it is a windy gravel road around the coast to the main Rd running from picton To Blenheim. (53.4Ks)

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

Picton and Blenheim

Area & Trail History

Port Underwood was named after Joseph Underwood
In the 1820s Sealers were the first to visited Port Underwood then around about 1826 and they were followed immediately by the whaling ships

Map Location

Points of interest along the walk​

Hakahaka BayPort Underwood

Point 1: Port Underwood

You will wind your way around the coast to Ahuriri bay, 10.4km
From here it is a slow climb to the top of Robertson Ridge. Stop at the top, for fantastic views of port Underwood
Down the other side, Watch out for logging trucks. Don’t cut the corners.
18.1km
At the bottom of the hill, take the turn off to the left, then the first to the right, this road will take you down to the beach. Were you can have lunch and a swim?

Toilets at Tom Canes BayOcean BayOcean Bay

Point 2: Ocean Bay

25.8km Ocean Bay
Just be for Ocean Bay is Tom Canes Bay, stop there for toilets.
There was a wailing station here years ago. You will drive past the rusting away blubber pot on the right hand side of the road.
We stooped for a walk at each Bay, It was so quite and the smell of the sea was so relaxing.

Robin Hood Bay

Point 3: Robin Hood Bay

33km Robin Hood Bay
As you hit the beach front, the old house to the right, is very old. Read the board and go through the gate and have a look.
The camp site and toilet is 3 Minutes down the Rd on the right, Just before the climb up the hill.

Port Underwood Drive

Point 4: The Track

37km
On the left hand side of the road, right on the Road is a track running out to the coast, worth the 10 Minute walk.
You could get dropped off here and walk down to Whites Bay,

Whites bay

Point 5: Whites Bay

39km
the turn off to Whites Bay.
A very popular place for weekenders.
Plenty of places to camp.
The toilets are in the Surf life saving Club building.
Back on to the sealed Rd after leaving Whites Bay.
41.5 km
there is a great place to pull over, get out of the car and look south down the coast for miles.
53km
The main Rd back to Picton.

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