Popular holiday playground

Press, 18 December 1986, Page 41

Popular holiday playground

Marlborough is blessed with a diversity of scenic attractions and recreational opportunities which have an enduring appeal for those who live and work in the region and for those making their first visit or returning after many.

The Marlborough Sounds, the ever popular holiday playground for local people and visitors to the province, crown the “Top of the South.” The rugged Kaikouras lie to the south and between the two a varied landscape of river valleys and mountain ranges. The topography of central Marlborough and its proximity to the sea create a diversity and richness which all can enjoy through varying degrees of experience and involvement.

Many areas of land within the region are now designated as reserves or Crown land areas through acquisition and retirement from pastoral farming. They are managed by the Department of Lands and Survey and have been set aside for water and soil conservation, ecological protection, recreation or scenic appreciation. All are available for public use.

' For many areas access is at the discretion of the land-owner through whose property the access route passes. Details on access rights are obtainable from the office of the Department of Lands and Survey in Blenheim.

The Robertson Range

Scenic Reserve is an extensive reserve over hills between Blenheim and Picton, with access from the Pukaka Valley and from above Whites Bay. Tracks through beech and regenerating forest make the reserve convenient for a one-day trip. One track to the top of Mt Robertson itself gives good views over Cloudy Bay. Whites Bay Recreation Reserve, only 30 minutes drive from Blenheim, is a very popular spot for picnickers, swimmers and casual campers. It also has important historical significance as the site of the telegraph station, now preserved as a museum, to which the first Cook Strait cable was connected.

Another very popular area is the Onamaluty Scenic Reserve, 29km from Blenheim on the road which follows the north bank of the Wairau River from State highway 6. Bush walks pass through one of the few stands of podocarp forest left in the Wairau Valley. A large grassed area on the edge of the forest is used for picnics and limited camping. The start of the Wither Hills Walkway is only five minutes by car from central Blenheim. The walk traverses a section of the lowland hills to the south of the town and gives wide views of Blenheim and headlands of the North Island. The complete walk takes two and a half hours for the return trip but a shorter walk of one hour return can be

made to the lookout shelter overlooking the town.

The Wairau Lagoons consist of a large lagoon and wetland area a short distance to the south-east of Blenheim. The area is separated from the sea by a boulder bank on which there are several moahunter sites. The scenic attractions of the lagoons are enhanced by the wide range of bird species which frequent the area. Foot access is available over the tidal flats from the end of Hardings Road.

Ferny Gair, a major wilderness area not far from Blenheim, is rich in recreational opportunities. It comprises Crown land, water conservation reserve and some special leases for scientific interests. Lake Alexander is a focal point for trampers and the Penk catchment area is available by permit for hunting. Access is by way of the Penk, Terne or Tummil Rivers over private land for which permission must be sought to enter.

Limestone formations and Marlborough bluff plants are among the most interesting features of the Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve, especially in the Upper Waima River. Access is by way of the Waima (Ure) River Road to Blue Mountain Station. Further access beyond this point must be sought from the landowner.

The Mt Tapuaenuku Scenic Reserve is centred on the highest peak in New Zealand outside the Southern Alps. The reserve has high recreational value in climbing, tramping and ski-ing. Access is usually up the Hodder Valley to the Holder Hut from the Awatere Road. Permission for access must be sought from Gladstone Downs.

The Marfells Beach Recreation Reserve is an east coast reserve just south of the Lake Grassmere evaporation ponds. The area is ideal for picnicking, swimming and casual camping. Other central Marlborough recreation areas on which information may be obtained from the Department of Lands and

Survey are the Muritai Scientific Reserve, Te Arowhenua Scenic Reserve, Spray Lookout, Government Spur, Medway, Chancet Rocks Scientific Reserve, Mead Crown land, Tone Crown 'land management area, George-McLean Crown land and the Tawaho Crown land management area.