Nelson and Marlborough Travel Guide

Seriously. If there is a better place in the world to go kayaking we are yet to find it. The Abel Tasman National Park is a kayakers paradise with calm and clear waters making for the perfect kayaking conditions. Add to this the beautiful and secluded bays that are dotted all around the park and you are in paradise. If you hire a car with GO Rentals, renting a kayak with Wilsons will save you 10% with our GO Play card. Winner.

Show Less

OK so this one may not come under the ‘adventurous’ category but it’s still one of the best things to do on a visit to Nelson. Whilst the annual World of WearableArt (WOW) show may have moved to Wellington, the museum is still found in Nelson and you can track back and check out a huge collection of award-winning garments and works of art from the internationally renowned competition. Throw in a world-class collection of classic cars and you have all the makings of an awesome museum.

Show Less

If you find yourself in downtown Nelson with a few hours to kill, it’s definitely worth checking out the Centre of New Zealand walk. Whilst Auckland may be the biggest city in the country and Wellington the capital, Nelson has the honour of being the geographical centre of New Zealand. Take the lovely walk up Botanical Hill which will take you to the marker identifying the exact location. There is a bit of a twist to this claim however and it’s definitely worth a read of our blog to find out more.

Show Less

New Zealand has an absolute abundance of walking tracks, some of which are categorised as the ‘best in the world’. Often flying under the radar is the Queen Charlotte Track in Picton and we have no idea why. This place is absolutely stunning! The track is 70kms long and can be accessed for day walks and cycles from Picton or various points along the track by boat. You can of course choose to tackle the 70kms over multiple days, stopping off along the way to soak up the amazing surroundings of the Queen Charlotte Sounds.

Show Less

It would be wrong of us to talk about the best activities in the Nelson and Marlborough region without talking about wine tasting. Marlborough is New Zealand’s biggest wine producing region, made famous for the world-class, award winning sauvignon blancs which are the signature of the region. There are a number of ways to explore the wine region of Marlborough. From Blenheim you can jump on a number of tours but our favourite is the bike tour – peddling your way around the vineyards and enjoying the beautiful landscapes at biking pace. Wonderful.

Show Less

If kayaking is not your thing, one of the best things to do on a visit to the Abel Tasman National Park is hop on a water taxi. After cruising around the clear waters of the park, you can then get dropped off on one of the stunning beaches and make your way back to base on one of the well-marked paths that run through the Abel Tasman National Park. It’s such a relaxing and fun way to explore the park and you will come across all sorts of wildlife along the way.

Show Less

Of course if you want to push yourself a bit harder, the best walking to be had at the top of the South Island is probably the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The track is 60km long and whilst it doesn’t feature as one of New Zealand’s ‘great walks’ if probably should! Highlights along the walk include the crossing of a 40m suspension bridge and the opportunity to spot some noisy fur seals! Your camera will never be far away as you pass from one beautiful beach and cove to another. A highlight is Cleopatra’s Pool – a natural rock pool with a moss-lined water slide – great fun!

Show Less

If you are staying in Picton or Blenheim, one of the best things to do is take a cruise on the Marlborough Sounds. These beautiful and peaceful waters are spectacular and the wildlife that lives both in the water and in the skies above will blow you away. Dolphins are the most common animal spotted and there are tours that offer you the chance to swim with these amazing animals. One quirky cruise is to head out with Beachcomber Cruises on their Mailboat Cruise which sees you delivering the post to the outlying properties situated around the Sounds.

Show Less

If you are looking for something a bit different, a top tip from GO Explorer Lindsay is to take a trip to Havelock to check out the amazing mussel farms. New Zealand is famous for the giant green-lipped mussels and there is no better place to check them out and give them a sample than Havelock which is located midway between Picton and Nelson. If you are looking to give them a go, The Mussel Pot Restaurant and Café is the place to go.

Show Less