Nelson South Walks
Kanuka Track
Time: 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Area: South Nelson
Start Location: Start in the Brook Valley at Blick Terrace. There is a stile next to the locked gate for access to the path.
Route directions
Follow the gravel road for about 10 minutes or so until you come to a track that keeps heading straight up - the gravel road will veer sharply to the right. There is a low sign on the left indicating the Kanuka Track. Continue up until you reach the signs indicating the Grampian Summit via Kanuka Track.
At this stage you could either continue up to the Grampian Summit or follow the Kanuka Track which will take you to just below the summit on the gravel track, just a few minutes from the lookout.
Enjoy the beautiful views from the lookout. There are some information panels at the lookout describing the fault lines and outlining the western ranges in the distance. You can follow the main gravel track back down to Blick Terrace.
Wigzell - Fairfield
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours
Area: South Nelson
Note: Dogs are not allowed on the Nelson College for Girls playing field but if you skirt around that Rover can come too!
Start Location: Your starting point is Wigzell Park in Alfred Street.
Download the Wigzell - Fairfield map.
Route directions
Walk up through the park and turn right into the little lane which runs along the side of Hampden Street, down to the bottom of the hill and left along Waimea Road where you can cross on the pedestrian traffic signals, and backtrack to continue along Hampden Street between Hampden Street School and Nelson College.
Cross Ngatiawa Street, turn left into Ngatitama Street, then right into Endeavour Street. The names Ngatiawa/ Ngateatiawa and Ngatitama represent two of several local iwi (Te Atiawa/Ngati Tama) from the Nelson region.
Walk on to the end of the road, take the centre track of the three options and follow it around behind Fairfield House. This property, now open for community use, was built by Maria and Arthur Atkinson: she worked for women's education while he was a Nelson MP and astronomer. With permission from the caretakers you can climb the tower where Arthur's telescope was mounted. There are several walking tracks around Fairfield and the lower Grampians which you can take time out to explore.
From the bottom of the driveway cross Trafalgar Street South to Fairfield Park. This was one of Nelson's early cemeteries and has old headstones which tell stories of the hard lives of the early settlers.
Head for the lower left corner of the park near the children's playing area. Emerge onto Brougham Street, turn right into Rutherford Street and walk on down to the pedestrian crossing by Nelson College for Girls. Cross Waimea Road and backtrack past the Snows' Hill antique shops. Cross the Nelson College for Girls playing field (entrance just past no. 12 Waimea Road), turn left into Renwick Place and walk to the end of the street where there are several driveways, but only one walking path (between no. 5 & 66), which is your route up the hill to Kawai Street. Take a left turn back down the hill, turn right into Hampden Street, where by now you are ready for a rest on one of the seats in Wigzell Park.
Observatory Walk
Time: 1 1/2 hours
Area: Victory Firebreak
Start Location: Victory Square, on the corner of Toi Toi and St Vincent streets.
Download the Observatory Walk map.
Route directions
Set off from Victory Square, heading right along Toi Toi St until the steps of Days Track lead uphill from the end of the street, through a patch of native bush. Take Bob's Track left to come out onto Princes Drive and turn left up the hill, enjoying the views over Tasman Bay.
At Pipers Park take the steps on your right which lead up to the Atkinson Observatory site. The original Atkinson Observatory was located at the top of Princes Drive (close to the water tank) and was first operated in 1883. In 1982 a new observatory was built at Pipers Park. Arthur Atkinson was a keen astronomer who was also a Nelson MP and the first owner of Fairfield House. Carry on along Princes Drive enjoying the views of the city, the Haven and the Grampians.
Turn left into Observation Terrace and just before the turnaround take the firebreak which veers downhill on the left. Watch your footing at the end - it is quite steep as it comes down into Emano Street. Follow Emano Street back down to Victory Square.
Murphy Street Tracks
Time: 45 minutes
Area: Victory Square
Start Location: Victory Square, corner of St Vincent and Toi Toi streets.
Download the Murphy Street Tracks map
Route directions
Cross Toi Toi Street to walk up the last flat section of St Vincent Street to where the Railway Reserve begins, at Victory School. This takes you past the back of properties - some with enviable vegie gardens.
At Nelson Intermediate School, turn right up the concrete path - this is the Matipo Terrace Track. Glance back for a view down St Vincent Street to Nelson Haven. At the top of the track, head straight across Jenner Road, down what looks like a right of way, to the steps which lead into the zigzag downhill to Murphy Street.
Cross Murphy Street, and take the less formed grass track veering around uphill to the right. Walk along the hillside through the eucalypts, ignoring tracks on the right which lead to Orsman Crescent. You are heading to the playground and can choose a couple of options in getting there.
From the playground turn left down Murphy Street, past the block of flats which was once the old Baptist church. Take a right turn into Emano Street and carry on back to Victory Square
Mahoe Walk
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours
Area: South Nelson
Start Location: Market Road, Bishopdale.
Route directions
The start is a small carpark near the end of Market Road and the beginning of the Kahikatea Track that takes you to the top of the Grampians. You will pass the track's namesake tree when you climb over its root system - the tree is 36m high, has a 34m spread, an 8m circumference and is thought to be about 300 - 500 years old.
Follow the track through the gate - take the Kahikatea Track and follow the sign to the Observation Platform. Before reaching the top you will see a sign for the Mahoe Walk which veers down to the left. You can first carry on to the Observation Platform and enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the region from the lookout platform above Tukuka Street.
Start your descent down the Mahoe Track looking for the quarry on the right as you descend. You will hook up with the main track just above the carpark.
Flaxmore
Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours
Area: South Nelson
Start Location: Fairfield House, top of Trafalgar Street South. Fairfield House, now open for community use, was built by Maria and Arthur Atkinson. She worked for women's education while he was a Nelson MP and astronomer. With permission from the caretakers you can climb the tower where Arthur's telescope was mounted.
Route directions
Walk up the steep track on the left of the Fairfield House driveway to the walkway sign.
Follow the track around the back of Fairfield, noting the spectacular sequoia and oak trees, then take the downhill fork and another downhill turn which takes you out at the top of Endeavour Street.
Follow the Grampians Walkway uphill to a gate where you take a right turn to follow a track which traverses along the Flaxmore fault-line, rather than carrying on uphill to the summit. The track takes you around the side of a valley behind Nelson College and the hospital, with great views out over the city and Tasman Bay.
After coming around the western side of this valley the road forks - take the downhill fork and when the road turns uphill, carry on downhill taking the right track to a stile and a sign indicating 'To Grampians Oaks'. Walk down Blampied Place to Tukuka Street, take a right turn into Campbell Street, then a left down Motueka Street, turning right into Waimea Road. There is a footpath that takes you above traffic level, along in front of Braemar and Nelson College. Turn right into Hampden Street, left into Ngatitama Street and right again into Van Dieman Street to finish back at Fairfield.
Grampians via the Kahikatea Track
Time: 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Area: South Nelson
Start Location: Victory Square, corner of St Vincent and Toi Toi streets.
Download the Grampians via the Kahikatea Track map.
See tracks on The Grampians (pre-2025 Brook side expansion)
Route directions
Walk south along St Vincent Street and then veer to the left onto the Railway Reserve - the pedestrian walkway along the old rail line which used to link Nelson and Glenhope. Leave the reserve at Bishopdale (opposite the Caltex station), follow Boundary Road and cross Waimea Road. Past the Caltex station go straight up Bishopdale Avenue and left at Clifford Avenue. Turn left again into Westley Place - at the end, turn left of number 29, go through the field and up on to Market Road. Straight across the road is a small carpark and the beginning of the Kahikatea Track that takes you to the top of the Grampians. You will pass the track's namesake tree when you climb the platform arround its root system - the tree is 36m high, has a 34m spread, an 8m circumference and is thought to be about 300-500 years old.
Go over the stile, and follow the track through the gate, taking the Kahikatea Track up the hill.
At the top of the hill enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the region from the lookout platform above Tukuka Street.
Start your descent down the northern ridgeline of the Grampians. On the plateau cross the stile and carry on down the hill. At the bottom cross the stile and take the gate through to the Ronaki Track. Further down the hill through the next gate take the track to the right along the fence line and then through the deciduous trees to Ronaki Terrace.
Walk along Ronaki Terrace, turn right and follow Hampden Street down the hill, across Waimea Road, up and over the hill, down the Hampden Street Walkway and back to Victory Square.
Grampians Walkway
Time: 45 - 70 minute walk (longer options available)
Area: South Nelson
Start Location: Start at the corner of Brougham and Collingwood streets or from the centre of town walk via Selwyn Place and Collingwood Street. This part of Collingwood Street is steep but there is plenty of time to stop and take in the panoramic views on the way up. About half way up the street move over to the left and you'll see an easier route up some steps. At the top of Collingwood Street there is a map of the Grampians - there are numerous tracks to follow and you could spend hours walking all of them.
Download the Grampians Walkway map
See all tracks on The Grampians - pre-2025 expansiomn
Route directions
Go through the gate and up the zigzag path - follow the Grampians sign. Further up there is an arrow to the left and a seat for a well-earned rest at this point. Carrying on up you'll get to the top of the path at the trig point. There's another seat here for your next rest and a view out to the marina, the central city, and the Boulder Bank. From here make your way up through the trees, down a little gully and back up the other side through the eucalyptus - this can be a long haul so take your time. There is a stile to cross the fence and further up is a sign directing you right to the Ronaki Track. Walk through the gate and past a small grove of beech trees and start your descent down the zigzag track. Go through another gate and continue down the hill to the next gate, this time a kissing gate! From here keep to the main track (don't go along the four wheel drive track up to your right and don't go over the fence via the stile). From here you follow the sign to Endeavour Street and the Tawa Track till you get to the end. There is another kissing gate at the bottom. Continue down Endeavour Street, a very well established area of Nelson with some homes dating back to the turn of the last century.
Turn right when you get to the bottom at Rutherford Street and then right again into Van Diemen Street. Two of Nelson's historic homes are in this area. Fairfield House is on Van Diemen Street opposite Fairfield Park and further along in Brougham Street is Melrose House - both have their gardens open to the public.
Cross Van Diemen Street and walk through Fairfield Park - on the other side of the park either walk down to Brougham Street and turn right, or walk through Melrose Gardens, out on to Brougham Street and back to the start.
