Renowned for its high sunshine hours, sublime beaches, crafty locals and abundance of homegrown produce, the Nelson Tasman Region is one of New Zealand's top summer hot spots. Find 10 Must-Do activities and attractions to discover while you're there.
1. Nelson Market
The Nelson region has long been renowned for the enterprising energy of its inhabitants: these laid-back, creative types are serious DIYers. Their wares can be found at the Nelson Market, every Saturday in the centre of town. From sophisticated jewellery to critters made of steel; exquisite ceramics to amazing original art. Made here, with heart and much skill. The Nelson Market has been operating for 30 years and is a tightly run ship. While there are handicrafts, clothing and other finery, there is also, of course, food. The region is plump with produce, loads of it organic, and straight out of the ground, alongside artisanal cheeses, preserves, jams and pickles that will surprise and delight. Eat, relax, be intrigued. Just make sure you get down if you’re in town.
2. Golden Bay camping
Golden Bay is fairly far-flung, so if you have your own transport, you’re sorted. But what you spend on gas can be saved by camping – the area is packed with spots to sleep under canvas. And the weather here is about the most predictable in the country. Head up Tākaka Hill, look outwards to supremely spectacular views or duck inwards to the Ngārua Caves, where you can see fossilised moa bones. If you want to go downwards, you can have a look at the 400m deep Harwood’s Hole, also on Tākaka Hill – but don’t get close to the edge, it’s a long way down and for ultra-experienced cavers only. The whole Golden Bay area is just worth drifting around – it throbs with artists and potters and lifestylers, often selling their wares. And not to mention the amazing beaches, many of which have right-by-the-sand camping facilities.
3. The Great Taste Trail
Enjoy easy cycling with enough dining and drinking options to satisfy the most fervent foodie on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail. The 174km trail takes in the highlights of the Tasman district, from estuaries to grape vines, islands to flat farmland. But allow plenty of time when riding this route, as aside from the gorgeous scenery, the attractions are as bountiful as the region’s produce. Check out the abundance of artists and artisans, breweries, quirky cafés, restaurants and award-winning wineries along the way. Of course, there’s no need to tackle the whole route at once. Split into six mostly easy sections, covering Nelson to Waimea, Mapua, Motueka, Kaiteriteri and much more in between, the Great Taste Trail has lots of options for an excellent day ride.
4. Awaroa Beach
You may not be aware of it, but we all own this beach. Awaroa is located in the Abel Tasman National Park, and a few years back there was a chance that it may have slipped into private ownership. Horror imaginings took place, especially amongst those who’d had ties to the region for years. So, a couple of enterprising Kiwis organised an online crowdfunding effort and in a matter of months, 40,000 like-minded New Zealanders had pledged $2 million. The upshot? We, the public, now own the 800m of coastline and 7.5ha of property. Which is lucky, because it’s beautiful spot that needs to be shared and enjoyed. Reached via foot or boat, unless you get flown in, the tides run very deep here, and the 40 minutes it takes to cross Awaroa estuary can only be attempted two hours either side of low tide. But the estuary, the beautiful beach and the walks into surrounding bush are a delight.
5. Skydive over Abel Tasman
What better way to survey the best bits of New Zealand’s scenery than from a bird’s-eye view up to 16,500 feet above the ground? Why choose between vistas of golden beaches or snow-capped mountain peaks when in Nelson you can gaze at both simultaneously. In what is possibly New Zealand’s most scenic skydive, the central Motueka dropzone is the only one in the country where skydivers are treated to mesmerising views of both the North and South Islands. Throw in some gleaming rivers, a patchwork quilt of vineyards and orchards, warm sunshine, fluffy clouds and curvaceous coastline stretching to the horizon and you’ve got views that you’ll struggle to beat in a lifetime. Gliding back down to earth you can pick out the Southern Alps to the south; Mount Taranaki to the north along with Nelson’s handful of national parks – Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and the picture-perfect Abel Tasman.
6. Te Waikoropupū Springs
The Te Waikoropupū Springs in Golden Bay are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and contain some of the clearest water on the planet. They reckon the only water in the world that’s clearer is the Blue Lake, also in Tasman, and under the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. But Te Waikoropupū Springs are no gentle, serene, little pools – the springs discharge 14,000 litres a second. The springs vent into a lake, the floor of which is covered with white sand. Waters expelled from some of the smaller vents carry the sand upward. These vents are known as the ‘dancing sands’, both stunning and, to Māori, very sacred. Remember, there’s no ‘contact’ with the water at all. Come for a stroll and check it out. There’s a lovely loop walk, which takes you around the lake and bushland environs.
7. Kayaking in Abel Tasman
The sand is a colour you simply have never seen before. The water is so blue it doesn’t look real. To kayak the Abel Tasman is to have one of the best times available on water, anywhere. The beaches, the coves, the sheer granite headlands and the little hidden bays are just best explored from a boat. The thing about being on the water (and, likely, occasionally in it!) is that not only are you in control of your own destiny, you’re as close as you can get to the myriad of marine life that plies the park. Dolphins, penguins and seals may all join your kayaking convoy as you flit from cove to cove. Magical.
8. The Geographical Centre of New Zealand
While on a map it may look like it lies somewhere in the middle of the Cook Strait, the geographical centre of New Zealand is actually a hilltop just outside Nelson City. Starting from the city centre, an easy walk along the Maitai River will take you across a bridge to the base of the Botanical Reserve. From there, it’s a 20-minute steep but pretty walk through poplar trees and stands of kauri. The summit is marked by a large white pin identifying the trig point from which the first surveys of New Zealand were started in the 1870s. With stunning views over Nelson, Tasman Bay and the surrounding hills and mountain ranges, the hilly lookout is a great spot to get your bearings.
9. Farewell Spit
Farewell Spit is the longest natural sandbar on the planet. Though it’s a sandbar but also a wetland. The northern/seaward side is barren dunes, exposed, brutal. The south side faces Golden Bay and is more hospitable. The tide can go out kilometres, revealing huge areas of salt marsh and mud flats. This unique environment is also a homeland for thousands of migratory waders from the Arctic tundra who turn up here seasonally. Bar-tailed godwits, curlews, whimbrels and turnstones also reside here. Take a four-wheel-drive tour (it’s the only way you can really get onto the spit) along the massive, 26km long beach. There is a gannet colony at the far eastern end and a fully functional lighthouse.
10. Anapai Bay
Anapai Bay is one of the loveliest spots in the Abel Tasman National Park – an area that’s already over-endowed with lovely spots. Accessed only by foot or boat, Anapai can be found on the Waiharakeke to Whariwharangi section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The star of many Instagram feeds, Anapai boasts a sweeping coastline of golden sands, crystal clear waters and native kānuka forest. The beach is divided into two by rocky outcrops, providing contrast between the harder rock at the northern end and the softer, more deeply weathered granite to the south. The rocky towers also create a small lagoon, perfect for swimming at low tide. Pristine, serene and achingly gorgeous: welcome to paradise at Anapai.
