Havelock is a town in the Marlborough district of New Zealand known as the green-shell mussel capital of the world. It is the major access point to the Pelorus Sound, one of the two major sounds of the Marlborough Sounds. There must be something in the water as two of the world's greatest scientists had their formative education in Havelock: Sir Ernest Rutherford, the first man to split the atom and the rocket scientist William Pickering.

Get in

By car

Havelock is on State Highway 6 between Blenheim (30 minutes) and Nelson (45 minutes). There are two choices of traveling to Picton. The turnoff to the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive on the eastern side of town. Queen Charlotte Drive is narrow and windy, with commanding views over the Keneperu and inner Queen Charlotte Sounds. Allow 1 hour to travel this route. The alternative is via the Wairau valley. From Picton, head initially down State Highway 1 in the direction of Blenheim. At the settlement of Spring Creek, turn west down Rapaura Rd and travel length of this road. At the intersection turn north to travel to Havelock. Allow 45 minutes for this journey.

By bus

The Intercity coach travels Picton-Nelson return, passing through Blenheim.

Get around

Havelock is the gateway to the Pelorus Sound.

• Havelock Water Taxi, ☏ +64 27 618 3585, havetaxi@xtra.co.nz. 
• Marlborough Travel, ☏ +64 3 577 9997, toll-free: 0800 990 800, fax: +64 3 577 9979, info@marlboroughtravel.co.nz. 
• Pelorus Belle Water Taxi, ☏ +64 27 444 2852, +64 3 574 2151, pelorusbelle@ts.co.nz. 
• Pelorus Mail Boat, Jetty 1 Havelock Marina, ☏ +64 3 574 1088, mail-boat@xtra.co.nz. Tu, Th, F. Departs from Havelock Marina 9:30AM, returns to Havelock late afternoon. A courtesy coach is available from Picton and return. Adults $128, children free. 

See

Havelock from a lookout

• Havelock Museum, Main Road (next to the Clansman). 
• Rutherford and Pickering Memorial, Main Road. Memorial to Havelock's famous scientists 

Do

Mussel farms in Havelock

• Nydia Track. A 2-day trek between Kaiuma Bay and Duncan Bay in Tennyson Inlet. You can park at either end but may want to take a shuttle bus, water taxi or mail boat to or from the other end.
• Greenshell Mussel Cruise, Jetty 1a, Havelock Marina, ☏ +64 3 577 9997, toll-free: 0800 990 800, info@marlboroughtravel.co.nz. November 1 - March 31 at 1:30PM. 3-hour cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. $125 per adult, $55 per child (5-15), free for children 0-4. 

Buy

• Taxidermist (Eyes on Nature), 61 Main Street (The old historic post office), ☏ +64 3 574 1256, fax: +64 3 574 1259. Oct-Mar: Tu-Su 9AM to 5PM; Apr-Sep: 10AM to 4PM. 
• Havelock Museum Flea Market, Museum, Main Road, ☏ +64 3 574 2176 (Rita), +64 3 574 2435 (Joan). Every Saturday except in bad weather, 10AM-1PM. Crafts, preserves, plants, etc. Proceeds to Havelock Museum. 

Sleep

Budget

• Blue Moon Backpackers, 48 Main Rd, ☏ +64 3 574 2212, bookings@bluemoonhavelock.co.nz. From $37 per person. 
• Rutherford Backpackers, 46 Main Rd, ☏ +64 3 574 2104, fax: +64 3 574 2109, info@rutherfordbackpackers.com. From $25 per person. 

Mid-range

• Havelock Garden Motels, 71 Main Road, ☏ +64 3 574 2387, fax: +64 3 574 2376. $95 - 140. 

Go next

• Pelorus Bridge – swimming hole, campground and bush walks for all levels of fitness in native bush, 15 minutes west of Havelock
• Picton
• Renwick

Routes through Havelock

Nelson ← Pelorus Bridge ←

W  S

→ Renwick → Blenheim