Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

The Pelorus Scenic Reserve is a total off-the-beaten-path gem, at least by foreign traveler standards. Locals know it and LOVE it…travelers zoom past without a clue. What you’ve got here is the crystal-clear Pelorus River lazily winding through one of the South Island’s most-accessible stands of virgin forest. Even better, the Pelorus pools up into some inviting swimming holes rimmed by oh-so-dive-able rocks…and even better-better, the Pelorus is about the warmest river water you’re gonna find anywhere on the South Island. If you’re unwilling to dive into the deep, clear, warmish water of the Pelorus, then chances are that you’ll never swim anywhere on the South Island. And, to make the whole shebang even more enticing, there’s a $10 DOC campground onsite with HOT showers and a café for the hungry and thirsty. Thus, THERE’S NO REASON, NOT EVEN DOWNPOUR RAIN, NOT TO STOP AND JUMP INTO 100% PURE NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As if that’s not enough, there are nice walking tracks in the Pelorus Reserve for every level of energy and fitness. Easy tracks lead to a massive Totara tree and an 80m swingbridge spanning the neighboring Rai River, while a moderate loop track gains 350m in 2.5km up to K Trig. This place is New Zealand. This place isn’t in Lonely Planet.

FYI: Going to or from the Picton Ferry takes about 60 minutes from Pelorus, so it makes a great first or last night on the South!

WALK: The carpark mapboard shows all the tracks. The K Trig track is almost worthless, as are the trickling “waterfalls”. There’s no view from the Trig worth seeing…so the only reason to do the 45- minute roundtrip track is simply for a good workout. All the easy short walks are nice.