Marlborough Nelson
3
Day Itinerary •
New Zealand
Three days in Marlborough and Nelson take you through the sunniest corner of New Zealand, where the world's finest Sauvignon Blanc grows in the extraordinary Wairau Valley, the Marlborough Sounds offer the most extraordinary drowned river valley landscape in the country, and the Abel Tasman National Park gives the finest coastal walking and kayaking experience in New Zealand with its extraordinary golden sand beaches and impossibly clear turquoise water. This route covers the essential Marlborough and Nelson. Blenheim and the Marlborough wine region with its world-famous Sauvignon Blanc, the Marlborough Sounds and the Queen Charlotte Track, the extraordinary Abel Tasman Coast Track with its remarkable water taxi access to golden beaches, and Nelson with its extraordinary arts scene and the remarkable Golden Bay beyond.
Best Time To Visit
Oct to Apr. Summer best for Abel Tasman. Wine harvest Feb to Mar.
Getting There
Fly to Blenheim or Nelson. Cook Strait ferry from Wellington to Picton.
Getting Around
Car essential. Water taxis for Abel Tasman beaches.
Budget Per Day
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$400 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Abel Tasman walks on flat coastal terrain.
DAY 1
BLENHEIM AND MARLBOROUGH
MORNING
BLENHEIM AND THE MARLBOROUGH WINE REGION
Blenheim is the capital of the world's finest Sauvignon Blanc region, its extraordinary Wairau Valley stretching between the Richmond Range and the Wither Hills in a remarkable flat plain of vines producing the wine that put New Zealand on the global map. The remarkable Cloudy Bay, Brancott Estate and Wither Hills wineries all offer tastings. The extraordinary Marlborough wine trail by bicycle through the vineyards is the finest wine experience in New Zealand. Most tastings free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PICTON AND THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS
Picton at the head of the Marlborough Sounds is the most extraordinary small port town in the South Island, the terminus of the Cook Strait ferry and the gateway to the extraordinary Queen Charlotte Sound. The remarkable Queen Charlotte Drive along the sound edge gives the finest coastal road in Marlborough, the extraordinary drowned valley landscape of the Sounds with its remarkable combination of bush-covered hills and deep blue water outstanding. Drive free. Travel: 1 hour drive to Nelson
AFTERNOON
NELSON AND THE ARTS QUARTER
Nelson is the most extraordinary arts city in New Zealand, its remarkable concentration of galleries, ceramics studios and craft workshops giving the finest arts quarter in the South Island. The extraordinary Christ Church Cathedral at the heart of the city, the remarkable Founders Heritage Park and the beautiful Nelson Market on Saturday morning give the finest city afternoon in the top of the South Island. The extraordinary Tahuna Beach east of the city is outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Wairau Bar archaeological site east of Blenheim is the most extraordinary archaeological site in New Zealand, the first settlement of the South Island by Polynesian voyagers around 700 years ago. The remarkable DOC interpretation panels tell the extraordinary story of the earliest New Zealanders. Entirely free. The most significant hidden archaeological site in Marlborough.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Blenheim Coffee before the vineyard trail. | Lunch: Winery restaurant, Marlborough Outstanding vineyard restaurant. Local Marlborough salmon and Sauvignon Blanc. | Dinner: Hopgood's, Nelson Outstanding Nelson restaurant. Local Nelson seafood and South Island lamb.
DAY 2
ABEL TASMAN COAST
MORNING
ABEL TASMAN WATER TAXI AND COASTAL WALK
The Abel Tasman National Park is the most extraordinary coastal national park in New Zealand, its remarkable 60km Coast Track connecting golden sand beaches, clear turquoise water and extraordinary native bush accessible by water taxi from Marahau. The water taxi drops walkers at Bark Bay or Tonga Island for the finest beach walking in New Zealand, the extraordinary Tonga Island marine reserve with its remarkable seal colony directly accessible from the water. Travel: 1.5 hour walk and taxi
MIDDAY
TORRENT BAY AND THE ABEL TASMAN COAST
Torrent Bay is the most extraordinary tidal lagoon in the Abel Tasman, its remarkable estuary crossing only possible at low tide giving the finest adventure walk on the Coast Track. The extraordinary Cleopatra's Pool, a natural water slide in a granite streambed 45 minutes from the coast track, is the finest hidden swimming hole in the park. The clear turquoise water of the Abel Tasman in summer is the finest coastal swimming in New Zealand. Travel: Water taxi return
AFTERNOON
MARAHAU AND THE ABEL TASMAN GATEWAY
Marahau at the southern gateway to Abel Tasman gives the finest farewell to the park, the extraordinary tidal lagoon at low tide and the remarkable estuary birdlife outstanding. The drive back to Nelson along the remarkable Tasman Bay coast road gives continuous views of the extraordinary bay and the Richmond Range above Nelson. The Nelson city evening with the extraordinary Christ Church Cathedral lit is the finest in the top of the South Island.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cleopatra's Pool in the Abel Tasman is the most extraordinary hidden swimming hole in the national park, a natural granite water slide and pool 45 minutes walk from the coast track. Entirely free. Almost entirely unknown to day visitors who take only the water taxi. The finest hidden experience in the Abel Tasman.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Nelson or Marahau Early departure for the Abel Tasman water taxi. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Abel Tasman beach Pack provisions. Eat on the extraordinary golden sand. | Dinner: The Boat Shed, Nelson Outstanding Nelson waterfront restaurant. Local Cloudy Bay clams and Nelson scallops.
DAY 3
NELSON AND GOLDEN BAY
MORNING
NELSON ARTS QUARTER AND SATURDAY MARKET
Nelson's extraordinary Saturday morning market on Montgomery Square is the finest farmers and craft market in the South Island, its remarkable collection of local produce, artisan ceramics and craft goods giving the finest single morning experience in Nelson. The extraordinary Suter Art Gallery beside the market is the finest regional gallery in the top of the South, its remarkable collection of New Zealand art including works by Frances Hodgkins outstanding. Gallery entry approx NZ$8. Travel: 1.5 hour drive
MIDDAY
TAKAKA AND TE WAIHOU PUNA SPRINGS
Te Waihou Puna in the Takaka Valley is the most extraordinary natural spring in New Zealand and one of the clearest bodies of water on earth, its remarkable 15,000 litres per second of water at a constant 11.7 degrees emerging from an underground aquifer in crystal clarity that makes the bottom appear only centimetres below the surface at depths of several metres. The extraordinary turquoise clarity is unlike any water in New Zealand. Entirely free. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
FAREWELL SPIT VIEWPOINT
Farewell Spit at the northern tip of the South Island is the most extraordinary sand spit in New Zealand, a 32km arc of sand curling into Golden Bay and home to the finest wading bird habitat in the country. The extraordinary viewpoint at the base of the spit gives the finest view over Golden Bay. Guided tours travel the full length of the spit to the lighthouse. Tour approx NZ$100. Viewpoint walk entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Anatoki Salmon Farm near Takaka is the most extraordinary hidden food experience in Golden Bay, where visitors catch and eat their own fresh salmon at a remarkable farm in an extraordinary riverside setting. The finest farm-to-table experience in the top of the South Island. Catch approx NZ$35 per kg. The most extraordinary fish experience near Nelson.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Saturday market, Nelson Outstanding Nelson Saturday market. Local produce and artisan food. | Lunch: Cafe in Takaka Outstanding Golden Bay cafe. Local organic food in the most alternative village in NZ. | Dinner: Restaurant in Nelson or Motueka Outstanding farewell top of South dinner. Local seafood and Marlborough wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Blenheim, Night 1 Chateau Marlborough or Hotel Marlborough. Wine country. Approx NZ$180 to NZ$350. Nelson, Night 2 Trailways Hotel or Boutique Hotel Nelson. City centre. Approx NZ$160 to NZ$320.
Top Tips
1. Book Abel Tasman water taxis in advance in summer. The park is one of the most visited in New Zealand.
2. Cloudy Bay, Wither Hills and Brancott Estate all offer free tastings. Call ahead to confirm opening times.
3. The Abel Tasman coast track is the only Great Walk with water taxis. Combine walking and taxis for the best day.
4. Nelson is one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand. Bring sunscreen year-round.
5. Te Waihou Puna (Pupu Springs) near Takaka is the clearest water on earth. Entirely free to visit.
6. Farewell Spit guided tours are the only way to reach the tip of the spit. Book at farewellspit.com.
Total Budget
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$400 per person per day