Speargrass Track

A pleasant short walk that is ideal for a day trip or an overnight adventure.

Where is it?

Set off from the car park at Mt Robert Rd, a short drive from St Arnaud on SH 63.

Terrain

Well-graded tramping tracks, mostly flat except for a climb at either end. Easy to intermediate tramping track.

Need to know

TIME & DISTANCE: 2.5hr each way; 7.4km

FITNESS: Intermediate fitness required

NO DOGS

Track Overview

Make your way down from the car park, and follow the river for a decent chunk of the walk before beginning your climb to the hut; you’ll know when you’re close to your destination when you cross the sturdy bridge over Te Horowai/Speargrass Creek.

The track is largely flat although do expect a bit of uphill work at either end. When you arrive at Speargrass Hut you’ll find a very cosy double-glazed well-insulated 12-bunk hut. It’s serviced, there are mattresses and a wood burner for heating.

Operating on a first-come first-served basis, you can also campout the front on the pretty grassy clearing if you’d rather. Verypeaceful.

Highlights

Nelson Lakes National Park is all about the stunning glacial lakes, notably Rotoroa, Rotoiti and Blue Lake. The park is accessible from St Arnaud, a one to two-hour drive from Nelson or Blenheim, with the most easy-to-reach lake being Lake Rotoiti. Lake Rotoroa is a little more off the beaten track and Blue Lake, where the water clarity reaches a whopping 80m, even more so. Aside from walks (of course!) visitors can enjoy idyllic boat rides, kayaking, fishing and mountain biking.

Serene St Arnaud is a beautiful alpine village on the edge of Lake Rotoiti. It’s an ideal base for those who want to explore the Nelson Lakes National Park and the Travers Sabine Circuit, a challenging but rewarding walk. Activities in the area include mountaineering, snow sports at Rainbow Ski Field, water skiing, kayaking, boating and fishing on lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Head to the DOC Visitor Centre to learn about the honeydew beech forest and to join a guided walk.

Beware of wasps (at their worst December to April) and sandflies, both a nuisance here. Pack repellent and antihistamine if allergic.

Lake Angelus, Nelson Lakes

Nelson Tasman Tourism

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz/Hotels