Things to do

Swimming

Rabbit Island is a long white sandy beach with very safe swimming. 10 minutes drive.

Kaiteriteri beach and Breaker Bay are golden sand beaches. Excellent swimming. 40 minutes drive.

There are 4 rivers with lovely swimming places, Motueka, Lee, Wairoa and Roding rivers. All about 20 minutes drive from here.

We can give you directions to help you find the best swimming spots.

There is also an extensive indoor swimming complex in Richmond, 15 minutes drive.

Day walks

With 3 National Parks, Abel Tasman , Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi, the Nelson region has a huge choice of day walks.

We have maps and information on short walks and day walks ranging from 15 minutes to a full day’s (7-10 hour) tramp.

Guided tours are available for those wanting more information on flora and fauna.

We recommend the Bush and Beyond Mount Arthur Day Trip.

Bush and Beyond Mount Arthur Day Trip

There are many options for day walks in the Abel Tasman National Park. You can either walk in from Marahau, or take a water taxi in to the park which will drop you off and pick you up according to the length of walk you want to do. Marahau is 40 minutes drive.

Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi

Kayaking

Kayaking the Abel Tasman National Park is a 'must do' whether you are a visitor to our shores, or a Kiwi who just hasn't got around to it yet.

The Sea Kayak Company

Wine

"Nelson is home to New Zealand's finests aromatics." - Steven Spurrier, Decanter UK

While known first for exquisite examples of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the region has a growing reputation for the aromatic varieties - Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer as well as its own distinctive take on Sauvignon Blanc and some superb ‘stickies’.

Nelson wines are sold in London, New York, Moscow, Tokyo, Munich and Melbourne but you have the chance to experience our wines in the place they are created.

There are 24 wineries from the Moutere Hills to the Waimea Plains. Most have cellar doors where you can sample the wine, and many have cafes where you can have lunch. My favorite is to take a picnic to Neudorf Vineyards where you can buy their delicious wine and picnic in the beautiful garden at the cellar door.

Nelson Wineart

Craft Breweries

Nelson’s plentiful sunshine is ideal for hop growing.

With eight breweries operating, the Nelson Tasman region has on offer what must be the most diverse range of hand crafted beers in New Zealand. Craftbrewers are a loose collection of these breweries. The Moutere Inn at Upper Moutere, The Golden Bear in Mapua, The Free House and Founders Organic Brewery (both in Nelson) are all destinations for beer enthusiasts.

CraftBrewers

Moutere Inn

The Free House

Founders Organic Brewery

Galleries and artist studios

Nelson has a thriving arts community, and there are many galleries and artists with open studios to visit. The Saturday Market in Nelson shows the work of local artisans. There is a very comprehensive guidebook book to get you around the region. A copy of the guidebook is in each cottage.

Nelson Arts

Creative Tourism. Interactive workshops and creative experiences.

Create your own bonecarving, clay or woodturning souvenir; learn to make silver or green stone jewellery, a hand-forged knife, kiwiana paper art, felt from a selection of wool fleeces; meet the wine maker; make your own cheese, olive oil blend, or a delicious pavlova; spend a day learning about the New Zealand bush in an interactive way or weaving a traditional flax basket; get your inspiration from the New Zealand flora and fauna to create a unique painting or travel journal...

Creative Tourism New Zealand

Fishing

Nelson region boasts some of the best brown trout fishing rivers in the South Island. There is a wonderful diversity of fisheries here within three national parks, one forest park, the Marlborough Sounds, around 20 rivers and 10 lakes. The Motueka River in Nelson boasts one of the highest trout populations in the country. The river runs for 120 km, holds trout throughout its length and is visited by up to 20,000 anglers each year. The Buller River has splendid fishing for brown trout averaging 2 kg. along its entire length. Its main sources, Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa, provide superb wilderness fishing, both in the lakes and the Travers, Sabine and D’Urville rivers. The Buller is joined by numerous tributaries in the Murchison area , which offer great fishing.

Nelson-Marlborough region has many of the top South Island professional guides who specialise in sighted brown trout fishing. Guided angling safaris on the Buller and Motueka rivers and their tributary streams can be arranged.

Guided Fly Fishing

Golf

There are 5 golf courses in the Nelson region. Tasman and Greenacres are 15 minutes by car, Motueka 20 minutes, Nelson 20 minutes and Totaradale 30 minutes.

Tasman Golf Club - One of the friendliest and most picturesque layouts in New Zealand. Stunning clifftop views of land and sea.

Tasman Golf Club

Greenacres Golf Club - Free draining, links course, interesting, well groomed, challenging. On scenic island.

Greenacres Gold Club

Motueka Golf Club - Magnificent, 18 hole park like course. Greens a pleasure to play on. Will test skills

Motueka Golf Club

Nelson Golf Club - Beautiful, sunny seaside championship links course. Near airport. Good hospitality.

Nelson Golf Club

Totaradale Golf Club - Sheltered, quiet course of moderate slope. Well maintained, good greens. Many birds.

Pigeon Valley Road, Ph: 03 541 8030, Email: totaradale@ts.co.nz