Pelorus Sound & Havelock Mussel Walk
Drive west from Picton to the quieter Pelorus Sound and the mussel capital of Havelock for a walk through native bush and a seafood feast at the working wharf.
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Havelock Waterfront
Havelock sits at the head of Pelorus Sound, its small waterfront dominated by mussel processing vessels — the smell of fresh seafood is inescapable and appetising.
- 2
Pelorus Bridge Reserve
The Pelorus River nature reserve, 30 km inland, contains some of the finest lowland podocarp forest in Marlborough — towering rimu and mataī over a clear, boulder-strewn river.
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Pelorus River Walk
The river walk passes the famous eel pool where Bilbo Baggins' barrel scene was filmed in The Hobbit — the clear pools and boulders create a genuinely magical landscape.
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Native Forest Loop
A forest loop passes ancient podocarp trees with trunks 3 metres in circumference — remnant forest that survived because the valley was too steep and wet to log.
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Mussel Vessel Tour
Charter boat tours operate from Havelock into Pelorus Sound, visiting working mussel farms and collecting freshly harvested green-lipped mussels for cooking on board.
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Havelock Mussel Feast
The Havelock Restaurant on the wharf serves steaming pots of Marlborough green-lipped mussels with locally made bread — the quintessential Sounds dining experience.