1 - Marina Walk
This is an ideal short walk for anyone with an interest in boats and the waterfront – it is particularly pleasant in the early morning.
Time: 1 - 1½ hours
Area: Port Nelson
Start Location: Millers Acre Centre, corner Halifax and Trafalgar Streets.
Download the Marina Walk map (156KB PDF)
Route directions
Cross Trafalgar Street before the bridge and take the walkway alongside the river and past the Nelson Public Library.
Further on to the right you can view the Trafalgar Park Pavilion and the Hathaway Bridge, linking inner city recreation zones, observe the distinctive arches echoing the roof of the Trafalgar Centre. Continue along to cross the Saltwater Creek footbridge, and follow the path under Queen Elizabeth II Drive (SH6) – if you’re tall be prepared to duck as you walk under.
Turn right into Akersten Street, where you’ll have the Marina on your left. Follow the footpath until you get to the Recreational Craft Supervisor’s tower, then turn left into Cross Quay. This will take you past the ‘The Red Shed’ (Tasman Bay Cruising Club), the Nelson Rowing Club and the TS Talisman Sea Cadets, out onto the grassy area alongside the boat ramp. There are picnic tables in this area so you could plan ahead and take your thermos and enjoy watching the activity at the Boat Ramp.
Go out through the trailer park and turn right back on to Akersten Street*. From here you can see across the Haven to Founders Park and Walters Bluff. Continue along Akersten Street and head back under the road bridge.
Turn hard right up on to the highway bridge and cross the mouth of the Maitai River. Take the footpath to the right, back along the river bank past the Trafalgar Park Pavilion into a parking area.
Turn right and make your way to the end of the car park, turn left into Hathaway Terrace, with Trailways Motor Inn on the right.
Turn right into Trafalgar Street, cross the bridge and you are back at the Millers Acre Centre.
Options: *For a longer walk, continue out through the trailer park, turn left along Akersten Street past Talleys Fisheries to the end of the reclamation for views of the Boulder Bank and the city. At high tide this is a popular fishing spot.