Emerald Pools
Havelock · Marlborough
This walk was suggested by the community and checked against the authority quoted above before it was published. The route line comes from official track data. DOC’s own wording: “DOC is the land manager and its rule on the Pelorus Track is a permit, not a leash: "Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit." Sort it before you leave home, because there is no office at the road end and no way to arrange one on the day. Without a permit your dog is not allowed on this track at all, and with one you walk under whatever conditions the permit sets. There is a second rule on the drive in that catches people out. The turnoff is at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, and that reserve is a flat no with no permit path at all: DOC says "Cats, dogs and any other domestic animals are not allowed in the reserve." It is the most obvious place on the whole drive to stop and let a dog stretch its legs, and stopping there is a breach, so keep the dog in the vehicle until you are up Maungatapu Road. You may see this river tagged dog friendly elsewhere online. That contradicts the land manager, and the permit is the rule that counts. Read 3 September 2026”. Evidence: the rule-setter’s own published wording. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
A DOC dog permit is required before any dog walks here. Apply to the managing DOC office ahead of time; do not turn up with the dog first.
About Emerald Pools
Emerald Pools covers 2.8 km, near Havelock in Marlborough.
A river walk to a swimming hole, and one of the gentler things you can do in Mount Richmond Forest Park. DOC describes it plainly: "From the car park at the end of Mt Richmond Road, the track follows the Te Hoiere/Pelorus River for an hour to Emerald Pool, an ideal fishing, swimming and picnicking spot." We have drawn the walk to the pool and no further, which measures 2.9 km each way. Beyond it the track leaves the river, climbs a ridge and turns into the serious multi day Pelorus Track, so the pool is the natural place to turn around with a dog. Getting there is half the trip. From SH6 you turn onto Maungatapu Road at Pelorus Bridge and drive 13 km to the road end, where the road has become Mt Richmond Road. DOC currently carries a standing note that "Severe weather has damaged many roads in Marlborough", so check the road before you commit to the drive rather than finding out at the far end. One thing to know before you swim, in DOC’s own words: "Eels live in the river in this area so if you are swimming remember you are in their homes." They go on to say that if eels feel threatened they have been known to bite, that this is very rare and generally results in a small graze, and that eels usually avoid people. Worth knowing with a dog who likes to crash about in the shallows. Melissa and Indiana sent this one in and mentioned a swing bridge. We have left it off the page on purpose: DOC only lists swingbridges further up the track, past Captains Creek Hut, and we could not find an authority for one on this section. If you walk it and there is a crossing we have missed, tell us and we will put it on.
It sits at the easy end and gains roughly 122 m, and takes about 45 min to walk.
A DOC dog permit is required before any dog walks here. Arrange it with the managing DOC office ahead of your trip. This walk is on the map because Melissa & Indiana suggested it, and we checked it against the source above.