Canvastown: Gold Rush History and the Wakamarina Track

Canvastown is connected with the history of the Wakamarina Gold Rush; trails in the surrounding area wind through varied landscapes. This raises a practical question for planning your trip: would you mainly like to explore the town’s historical connection, or set aside time for hiking and mountain biking?

Gold Rush Days in Canvastown

During the Wakamarina Gold Rush, a tent town called Canvastown sprang up. In July 1864, around 2,800 gold seekers were working between Doom Creek and Canvastown. Completed works in Canvastown township also include a gold seekers’ hut.

Nearby Doom Track also reflects the area’s mining history. It follows an old water race that supplied water to the quartz-crushing plant at the Golden Bar Claim near Deep Creek. The history of gold mining is therefore about not only the people and their settlement, but also the infrastructure that supported the mining.

The Pelorus Tavern Trout Hotel in Canvastown offers a scenic campground right beside the Wakamarina River. Campground arrangements may change; check them in advance if you plan to include the site in your itinerary.

Hiking and Mountain Biking Around Canvastown

The Wakamarina Track is in Mount Richmond Forest Park in the Marlborough region and crosses the Richmond Range between the Wairau Valley and Wakamarina Valley. The track is used by experienced and less experienced hikers, families, and mountain bikers. With different types of users sharing the track, it is helpful to consider your route and the time required when planning.

A 45-kilometre mountain biking route runs from Onamalutu Reserve to Canvastown and can be ridden in one to two days. Check the distance and access conditions before setting off. The Wakamarina Track is also suitable for an easy weekend trip with an overnight stay at Devils Creek Hut; check hut and route arrangements before you leave.

At the end of the route near Wakamarina or Butchers Flat, Doom Track is a short walk with a two-hour return walking time. This is quite different from the one- to two-day mountain biking trip. Conditions at the stream crossings on Doom Track can change.

Forest and Wildlife on the Wakamarina Track

The canopy along the Wakamarina Track consists of tall red and silver beech trees, rimu, and kamahi. Pepperwood shrubs and dense crown fern undergrowth grow below. These different layers of vegetation give the route its own character and also make it appealing to travellers who want to take in the landscape as well as enjoy the activity.

The track’s diverse birdlife includes many tomtits (long-billed mohous) and wekas. Native carnivorous Powelliphanta land snails can also be spotted along the trail. They are protected, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Tailor Your Stay to Your Plans

When looking for a holiday rental in Canvastown, you can use your planned activities as a guide: the town is closely connected with its gold-mining days, while the hiking and nature experiences described here are associated with the Wakamarina Track and nearby Doom Track. If a particular trip is your main focus, its endpoint, time required, and conditions can help you plan. This lets you choose a destination that suits your stay without confusing the different trails and timeframes.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Havelock, Anakiwa, Kenepuru Head, St Omer, Picton, Renwick, Raetihi, Grovetown.

Return to the main travel overview: Marlborough District.