There is a maximum of seven days per stay for this site. It is the earliest known human settlement in New Zealand. The river is crystal clear and blessed with deep pools for swimming, and has the added attraction of being the location of the dwarves-in-barrels scene from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug . A quiet town where the traffic swirls around the corners of the local shops and continues onto Nelson on State Highway six. Need a break from the driving, Renwick’s charms are an excellent reason to stop and check out this small town. Wairau River is a favourite fishing and boating location and is loved by water sport enthusiasts. Kaikoura whale watching, scenic drive. Most of the river bed is gravel however this location has soft sand as well. Rafting trips in the Upper Buller. The banks along Marlborough's Wairau River are set to be transformed into a regional park, to honour the river as a taonga for Māori, while securing its future as a major regional resource. Rainbow Ski Field in winter/spring, 80 minutes scenic drive. Backcountry Hut Passes cannot be … You will see old gold tailings and the historic battery site of the Wellington mine. Pay cash on arrival at the self-registration stand at the campsite. Renwick is home to a world class restaurant nestled among the vines and a local museum narrating stories of local characters. The Riverside Walk - 2 hr 30 min (4 - 5 km) return - follows an old gold miners’ track. It drains an area that is in a rain shadow, so it’s best in spring with snow melt. Walks and tramping; Arts & crafts. There are many swimming holes along Wairau River especially between Renwick and Blenheim. The DOC/NZMCA Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite. The Wairau Bar, or Te Pokohiwi, is a 19-hectare (47-acre) gravel bar formed where the Wairau River meets the sea in Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, north-eastern South Island, New Zealand.It is an important archaeological site, settled by explorers from East Polynesia who arrived in New Zealand about 1280. But below SH63 the river is low key and the domain of multi-sport training. A public boat ramp is located near the Blenheim Rowing Club building. Swim Guide is a free service that helps to connect millions of people just like you with local beaches and swimming holes. Top Valley is a popular recreational area, with short walks, swimming holes and picnic and camping areas. Last Modified: 20-2-2019 20:33. In higher flows the Wairau could be run as one continuous paddle from Hell’s Gate above the Rainbow confluence to Blenheim. Camp next to the Wairau River with fishing and swimming nearby. This weekend has been a busy one, with a Saturday drive up the Waihopai Valley, followed by a get together with neighbours in the street for a shared meal, one what just happened to be Neighbours Day. Close to summer swimming holes. The Best and Worst of Marlborough. Forks Walk - … While every effort is made to keep data up-to-date and correct, this is sometimes not possible due to technical issues. Marlborough District Council maintains a network of river flow monitoring sites, with data transferred electronically to Council's Blenheim office. The Wairau River is the largest river in Marlborough. Trout fishing in lakes and rivers (there is excellent fishing in the river neighbouring Ryland Estate). Plunge into the Pelorus River between Havelock and Rai Valley for a taste of pure New Zealand.