Nelson is a fun relaxed town situated at the top of New Zealand. It is well known for its arts and crafts and also for the wonderful outdoor opportunities in the area. Peruse Nelson's Saturday morning markets, sit in one of Nelson's many cafes or head out on a kayaking or hiking adventure.
Nelson Highlights
Tahunanui beach
Walk to the centre of NZ
Nelson markets (on Saturday morning)
Nelson Lakes National Park
Kahurangi National Park
Abel Tasman Area Highlights
Abel Tasman Coastal Walk (one of the nine Great Walks)
Nelson has a range of accommodation options. We like Paradiso Backpackers which is located close to town and has a swimming pool, spa, funky bus lounge and great facilities. If you want to camp nearby the Tahuna Beach Accommodation Park is just on the end of town. This is one of the biggest camping grounds we have ever seen.
For those who like camping there are also some excellent camping spots at Nelson Lakes National Park, at the road ends of Kahurangi National Park and in Motueka and Golden Bay (check out the DOC pamphlet). DOC tramping huts litter the National Parks as well.
Abel Tasman Region The DOC campgrounds and huts in Abel Tasman National Park are awesome!
FOOD and DRINK
This area of New Zealand is blessed with lots of funky cafes and delicious treats. Make sure you go to The Mussel Inn when you head through the Golden Bay area! This funky and down-beat pub/restaurant/brewery is a must. They are also a Passport Partner so take along your passport and make use of the good deal that these good folk offer. The larger towns Nelson, Motueka and Takaka all have shops and supplies. In terms of nightlife Nelson can be fun in summer. Most of the bars are located on Bridge Street. Also you should check out the Free House which we have been told serves fantastic beer.
Nelson is known for its Saturday morning market. Check them out and experience local creativity, fine NZ-made products and other goodies. You will find the markets in Montgomery Square, Nelson.
Walk to the centre of New Zealand.
Chill out on Tahunanui Beach.
Go mountain biking. The hills behind Nelson are criss-crossed by excellent tracks.
To get to Abel Tasman National Park you travel west along highway 6. On the way check out:
Rabbit Island - good beaches.
Mapua waterfront is cool, with cafes and arts and crafts.
Motueka is a funky town.
Take the turnoff to Marahau
Kaiteriteri beach is beautiful and there is a Motor Camp here.
ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
Marahau is the staging point for Abel Tasman National Park and it’s wonderful beaches. There are lots of options here but visit the Abel Tasman Centre for kayak hire and water taxis, they're a GOOT Partner and offer a great deal for GOOT Passport Holders.
If you plan on doing the Abel Tasman Track, we would recommend that you do a kayak-hike option. This involves kayaking for one day, camping or staying in a hut, and then hiking back. Alternatively if you are pressed for time you can get a water-taxi to take you further along the park and hike or kayak back. If you have time, it's worth spending some in Abel Tasman - the beaches are golden, the water is clear, the wildlife is abundant and it really is a beautiful spot.
Note: the further North you go into the park the better it gets (nicer beaches and less people). There is an awesome café at Awaroa if you make it that far.
If you want to keep exploring drive over Takaka Hill. There are awesome views from the top and you can also check out Ngarua caves at the summit (you have to pay). Harwoods Hole is the largest tomo in the sounthern hemisphere (a really big hole) and although it is a detour (drive/walk) to get there, it is pretty spectaculour (400 m deep). On the other side of the hill is Takaka itself (a groovy hippy town), and Pupu Springs, which are reputably the cleanest water in the world.
If you are still keen, keep going. Drive through Collingwood and head out to Farewell Spit which is another good spot.
Once you are done head back to Motueka and decide what to do next.
Kahurangi National Park is a massive area full of hiking tracks. The famous 4-6 day Heapy track is a good one, while the Wangapeka and Leslie-Karamea tracks are more remote. Those seeking an easier adventure should try climbing Mt Arthur. If you have time the 2 day climb of Mt Owen is well worth it. At 1875 metres Mt Owen is the highest peak in the National Park. This remarkable massive is a bizarre limestone formation with rewarding views amidst a crazy landscape. You can stay in Granity Pass Hut or camp at the foot of the mountain. 1000 acre plateau is another great trip to do.
HEADING SOUTH/WEST
From Motueka head south through Woodstock to rejoin highway 6. Follow highway 6 Southwards.
At Kawatiri there is a detour to St Arnaud, which has a serviced DOC campground and is the gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park. Lake Rotoiti is beautiful and there are lots of walks here. Those with more time might consider doing the overnight hike up Robert Ridge to Lake Angelus Hut. This is an awesome walk. If you have more time the 5 day Travers-Sabine circuit is also excellent. You cross a couple of mountain passes and hike through fantastic scenery. There are great huts along the way and this place is less popular than some of the great walks.
Back on highway 6 heading South.
This stretch of highway follows the mighty Buller River, the upper reaches of which (above Murchison) provides excellent tubing (that is floating down river in inflated truck tyre tubes – you will need to bring your own).
There is a camping ground and a groovy old pub at Owen River.
6. Wharariki beach Devlyn Van Loon (Team Canadia), Unregistered
Wharariki beach isn't mentioned and it definitely should be, probably one of the best beaches I've seen in New Zealand, absolutely gorgeous.
Posted 2011-05-24 11:33:03
5. Penguins are the bomb! Shereen Sairafi (BU), Unregistered
I could've spent a week at Able Tasman. I thought it was the most amazing place, and I even got to see a little Penguin!
Posted 2010-04-28 11:54:38
4. Abel Tasman Coastal Track Hector Dimaunahan (BU), Unregistered
The cool thing about the Abel Tasman Coastal track is that you go through tidal crossings and you have to wait for the tides. I was lucky that I didn't have to stop for too long to wait for the water.
Posted 2009-05-28 10:04:03
3. Nelson - go on a Saturday Raquel Hakin (Rollins), Unregistered
I didn’t really care for Nelson. The town is nice. If you’re in Nelson, having a car is crucial. We felt stuck without one and we were there for only 2 or 3 days. There are tons of things in the area but in the town itself everything closes early and then there’s nothing to do. There were only a few restaurants that were open for dinner. I do recommend going on a Saturday because the Saturday market was so cool. It’s all these local artists and craftsmen that bring out the neatest stuff. I loved the market. I got some cool stuff, met interesting people and had good food.
Posted 2009-05-28 09:56:12
2. Abel Tasman nice variety Ilsa McIntyre (BU), Unregistered
Abel Tasman is really nice, but the day we went it was foggy. There were lots of birds and shallow beaches that you can walk along. There are 4-day hikes that you can go on, but you can also go for just an hour or two so it has a nice variety.
Posted 2009-05-28 09:33:03
1. Nelson by day Ilsa McIntyre (BU), Unregistered
The nightlife in Nelson is not good at all, but there is a great Saturday morning market with foods and crafts and art stuff. It’s supposedly an artsy town, but we only saw one gallery.
