Nelson

Known as the Sunshine City, Nelson is an idyllic, vibrant yet peaceful place to visit. This area is well known for its beautiful beaches, bays and scenic walkways. City life is modern with a snazzy cafe scene, diverse culture and a fresh, relaxed feel about it. The Nelson area is also well known for its many Vineyards and arts and crafts.

Nelson Lakes National Park
Approximately 120 km Southwest of Nelson, the Lakes Park is made up of two beautiful glacial lakes, thousands of hectares of beech and Coniferous forest. One of this area's biggest draw cards is its great walkways that take you around lakes, through valleys and over mountains. Saint Arnaud Village, situated at the northern end of Lake Rotoiti, should be your first stop. There are many walkway options for you to choose depending on how far you want to walk. Walks range from 1/2 an hour to 4 days. There are some nice short walks along the shores of both Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa.

Abel Tasman & Golden Bay
About an hours drive north west of Nelson, the Abel Tasman National park offers subtropical weather, turquoise waters, sheltered inlets and secluded beaches of golden sand. The Abel Tasman track is a popular walkway that explores the park's beauty.
Further North, Golden bay is a long bay laden with sun drenched golden sand. Farewell Spit, New Zealand's longest sandspit system, is host to over 90 bird species and is also well worth a visit. See also our Abel Tasman / Golden Bay Tourism Guide.