2 - Bridges Walk

Time: 40 - 60 minutes

Area: Nelson Central

Start Location: Millers Acre Centre, corner Trafalgar and Halifax Streets.

Download the Bridges Walk map (165KB PDF)

Route Directions

On your left is the Trafalgar Street Bridge which was built in 1927 and refurbished in 1997 to allow a view of the river. Walk alongside the river to Collingwood Street, turn left, and cross the Collingwood Street Bridge. The bow string bridge on Collingwood Street was built in 1955 and its separated traffic lanes make it quite unusual.

Turn hard right from the bridge into Shakespeare Walk and follow the river – this is a great spot for summer picnics. Cross the river again at the Riverside footbridge. This footbridge and the Hardy Street footbridge were rebuilt after the originals were washed away in the severe floods of 1970.

Turn left and walk past Riverside Pool and begin following the Maitai Walkway. At Bridge Street leave the walkway to cross over the Normanby Bridge. It was the oldest inner city road bridge, rebuilt in 1906 to replace the 1870s one way bridge, and upgraded in 2007.

Turn right into Avon Terrace and take another right over the Hardy Street footbridge, turn left into Domett Street and right into Nile Street. On your left is the Nile Street Bridge, built in 1975, replacing the footbridge which was also lost in the 1970 floods.

Carry on along Nile Street and turn right into Tasman Street, then turn left into Hardy Street and turn right into Queens Gardens. Wander through Queens Gardens making sure you go over the bridge. It was built to cross the pond in 1895 soon after the gardens were officially opened in 1891, and rebuilt to the original design in 1984.

Leave Queens Gardens through one of the Bridge Street exits and make your way back to the Maitai Walkway. Follow the walkway back to Millers Acre Centre.