The access for the Wairau lagoons is at the end of Hardings Road which is on the laft hand side 1.5km South of Blenheim on State Highway 1.There is a carpark and information at the end of Hardings Road. It's a three hour loop walk along the shore of the upper lagoon, past Budges and Moerepo islands to the lagoons main channel.
The Wairau Lagoons are a great place to catch sunsets as the large areas of standing water reflect the colours. A lot of birdlife is attracted to this area.
After an hour or more of walking toward the North past the wreck of the Waverley the Wairau river mouth comes into view.
This area is saltmarsh so the walking tracks are flat but can also be very wet In the background to the right the start of the northern end of Vernon Bluff is visible. This area is sometimes referred to as the Vernon Lagoons.
There are alot of waterways like this which make great reflections.
The rusting hulk of the Waverley sits at the edge of the lagoons main channel. The ship had been towed over from Wellington by the S.S. Wairau to be scuttled for a breakwater. However she was swept up the channel by a flood before they had a chance to sink her.
View Larger Map
