January 3, 2026
Anakiwa Davies Bay Campsite to Havelock Holiday Park
TA km marker 1808.0 to 1830.7
Hiked today: 22.7 km

We had read that the day into Havelock would include a lot of road walking but were pleasantly surprised that effort had been made to keep a separate footpath most of the way.

We started before 7 and were at the end of the Queen Charlotte track and eating breakfast at Anakiwa by 7.30. Then off we went, following a nice path around by the water’s edge, then alongside farmland before the track left the roadside to skirt again alongside the water.

The winding trail undulated around the coast, accommodating walkers, runners and cyclists. Signs along the way reminded us that it is a shared path and we were careful to give bikes room to pass.

About halfway, our trail crossed the road and took us on a lovely scenic path through forest and up and around hillsides where we were again treated with views out to the sound. When we were still some distance from town, we caught our first sight of Havelock, which then teased us, seeming to never get closer as we continued with thoughts moving to milkshakes and lunch bought in town.

The final km wound around marshland with a nice boardwalk to finish. We checked in to our campground cabin and gladly left our packs there before the next stop – milkshakes and lunch at a cafe. The campground had held our box that we posted here from Picton. This contains dehydrated meals for our next section, which we will need to supplement with supplies from the 4 Square supermarket.

The afternoon was spent doing laundry (much needed to address the muddy trousers and socks) and showers, then resting, reading and catching up on family news. Curtis has arrived here today also and we have enjoyed swapping stories and discussing our plans for the next section which encompasses the Richmond Range.