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Things to do in Nelson Tasman

Beaches, walks, lakes and markets, and the areas to stay near each one.

Kaiteriteri Beach© RuinDig/Yuki Uchida · CC BY 4.0
Beach

Kaiteriteri Beach

Sheltered golden-sand bay and departure point for water taxis into Abel Tasman.

Stays in Kaiteriteri & Mārahau
Anapai Bay on the Abel Tasman Coast Track© Pseudopanax · CC BY 3.0
Walk

Abel Tasman Coast Track

New Zealand Great Walk along the coast. The southern start is at Mārahau.

Stays in Kaiteriteri & Mārahau
Split Apple Rock© Rosino · CC BY-SA 2.0
Landmark

Split Apple Rock

Granite boulder split in two, reached by a short walk down to Tower Bay.

Stays in Kaiteriteri & Mārahau
View from Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park© Schwede66 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bike

Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park

Trails for all levels in the hills right behind Kaiteriteri.

Stays in Kaiteriteri & Mārahau
Riwaka River© HeadBlow77 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Walk

Riwaka Resurgence

Short bush walk to where the Riwaka River emerges from under Tākaka Hill.

Stays in Motueka & Riwaka
Rabbit Island beachPhoto: Stay Nelson
Beach

Rabbit Island (Moturoa)

Long pine-backed beach near Māpua, popular for swimming and cycling.

Stays in Māpua & Ruby Coast
The Smokehouse at Māpua Wharf© True New Zealand Adventures · CC BY 2.0
Food & art

Māpua Wharf

Small wharf on the estuary with eateries and local art.

Stays in Māpua & Ruby Coast
Great Taste Trail by the Baton River© PC cyclist · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cycle

Great Taste Trail

Easy-grade cycle trail linking Nelson, Richmond, Māpua and Motueka.

Stays in Richmond & Waimea
Te Waikoropupū Springs© Kieron Norfield · CC BY 2.0
Nature

Te Waikoropupū Springs

Sacred freshwater springs near Tākaka known for their exceptionally clear water.

Stays in Golden Bay
Sunset at Pōhara Beach© Jenny Hudson · CC BY 2.0
Beach

Pōhara Beach

Wide, calm beach east of Tākaka on the road to Tōtaranui.

Stays in Golden Bay
Wharariki Beach© life in still. · CC BY 2.0
Beach

Wharariki Beach

Wild beach with dunes and rock arches near Cape Farewell, reached on foot.

Stays in Golden Bay
Tāhunanui Beach at sunsetPhoto: Stay Nelson
Beach

Tāhunanui Beach

Nelson's city beach, wide and sandy, a few minutes from the centre.

Stays in Nelson City
The Boulder Bank, NelsonPhoto: Stay Nelson
Walk

The Boulder Bank

A 13 km natural bank of boulders that shelters Nelson Haven. Walk out from Boulder Bank Drive for sunsets and views back to the city.

Stays in Nelson City
View from the Centre of New ZealandPhoto: Stay Nelson
Walk

Centre of New Zealand

Short climb up Botanical Hill to a marker and views over Nelson.

Stays in Nelson City
Nelson Saturday Market© Peter Burge · CC BY 2.0
Market

Nelson Saturday Market

Weekly market at Montgomery Square with food, crafts and local produce.

Stays in Nelson City
Lake Rotoiti© Kris Jacques · CC BY-SA 2.5
Lake

Lake Rotoiti

Alpine lake at St Arnaud inside Nelson Lakes National Park.

Stays in Nelson Lakes & Murchison
Buller Gorge swingbridge© Swollib · CC BY-SA 3.0
Adventure

Buller Gorge Swingbridge

Long swingbridge over the Buller River, west of Murchison.

Stays in Nelson Lakes & Murchison