Mckenzie Memorial Lookout via Pearce Street Track | Bluff, NZ
Panorama from the Mckenzie Brothers Memorial Lookout in Bluff, New Zealand.
// Note: The content on this page may contain affiliate links for outdoor products or experiences I highly recommend. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a commission which helps offset the cost of running this website. //
A short detour off the Pearce Street Track will bring you to a long lost World War I memorial for Bluff’s very own Mckenzie Brothers. Reach this panoramic view in just under 20 minutes. And no, this is not the same lookout as on Bluff Hill.
In This Trail Guide:
Map of Pearce Street Track / Mckenzie Memorial Lookout
Created by Mountain Mamas NZ - Image sourced from LINZ - Crown copyright ©
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Distance | 1.6 kilometers |
| Trail Type | Out-and-back |
| Elevation Gain | 60 meters |
| Time | 30 min |
| Family Friendliness | ★★★★★ |
| Pram Access | No |
| Dog Access | No |
| Trailhead Coordinates | 46°36'10.7"S 168°20'04.8"E |
Note: You can start from the end of Mcdougall Street (1.6km return) or from Pearce Street (2.5km return).Hiking to the Mckenzie Memorial Lookout
There are two entrances to the Pearce Street Track, and you can access the Mckenzie Brothers Memorial from either one. The main and most obvious entrance is from the car park along Pearce Street, but is further away from the memorial (1km). The second entrance is at the end of Mcdougall Street and has very little parking, but starts you off closer to the memorial (0.7km).
The Mcdougall St entrance to the Pearce Street Walking Track.
Starting from the entrance at the end of Mcdougall St, park along the road and begin walking on the gravel road. Walk around the metal bar that blocks vehicle access and continue on straight ahead. The track starts off with a gentle uphill climb, and within 5 minutes the path will split into two directions. Keep to the right to head straight to the memorial. Going left will take you to the other entrance on Pearce St.
In late summer this walkway is lined with juicy blackberry bushes. Many locals (including our whanau) pick the tastiest berries from this area every single year, so in our experience they’re safe to eat. Be aware that there is always a risk when eating berries in the wild though. The walkway itself is mostly gravel at the start, but once you take the detour off the main track towards the memorial, it becomes more muddy and wet.
About 10 minutes into the track there will be an opening to a dirt path on your right side, near the motocross area. Follow this path towards the hill and you should soon be able to see a series of red tipped poles. These poles will lead you through the bush and up to the memorial flag pole.
Overlooking the township of Bluff and South Port.
Volunteers regularly maintain this track, but it still gets quite overgrown in summer. The final 5 minute stretch is very steep, slippery and overgrown. Long pants are a must for this steep uphill climb through the wild prickly blackberry bushes. Don’t forget to stop and take a peek behind you on the way up, as a grand view over Bluff, South Port and Tiwai Point begins to reveal itself.
Once you emerge from the steep climb through the bush, it will open up to a small clearing adorned with large boulders. The tall, white flag pole will let you know that you’ve officially made it to the Mckenzie Brothers Memorial Lookout.
The views up here are nearly as good as from atop Bluff Hill, and require a mere fraction of the effort to climb. From left to right, you can see behind the back of Bluff Hill towards Stewart Island, the bridge of land connecting Bluff to the South Island, the entire town of Bluff, South Port and Bluff Hill / Motupohoe. The best part though? Not many people know about this track yet, so you get it all to yourself.
Now you might be thinking, where the heck is the war memorial? Well, the original wooden flag pole has been rehomed and replaced with this white pole, which at one point in time did have a flag on it. It kept being taken though so I believe the volunteers who made this track stopped replacing it. Volunteers to this day are still searching for the plaque with the two fallen soldiers names engraved on it and the picket fence that surrounded it. It was last seen in the 1960-1970’s.
Volunteers rehoming the original wooden flag pole hand carved by Alexander Mckenzie, to commemorate his two sons Ian and George Mckenzie, who died on the same day in the Battle of the Somme in September 1916. Image sourced from RNZ.
The replacement flag pole that currently marks the Mckenzie Brothers Memorial.
How to Get to the Trailhead
From Invercargill (25min)
Head South of Invercargill on SH1 towards Bluff and follow the highway for 23km until you reach Bluff. Take a right turn on Slaney Street, immediately after passing the one and only gas station. In approximately 500 meters, turn right onto Mcdougall Street and drive to the end to start the walk from the northern entrance. Alternatively, you can continue driving straight on Slaney Street until it veers left and turns into Pearce St. The car park for the southern entrance is on the right side of the road.
More Walking Tracks in Bluff
Greenpoint Track / Bluff Ship Graveyard in Bluff, New Zealand.
Greenpoint Track / Ship Graveyard (pictured above):
1.4km | 10m | 20min returnOcean Beach Track:
6.6km | 140m | 2hr returnFoveaux Walkway:
6.3km | 30m | 1hr 15min return
Disclaimer: Please adventure at your own risk. The author of this article is not liable for any injuries or damage that may occur. It is up to the individual to determine their own capabilities and limits, and to thoroughly research before venturing into the great outdoors. Read our full Disclaimer.
