Marlborough Nelson
5
Day Itinerary •
New Zealand
Five days in Marlborough and Nelson give you the full extraordinary sweep of the sunniest corner of New Zealand, from the world-famous Sauvignon Blanc vineyards of the Wairau Valley and the extraordinary drowned valley landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds to the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, the extraordinary arts city of Nelson, and the remarkable Golden Bay with the clearest water on earth and the extraordinary Farewell Spit. This route covers the complete Marlborough and Nelson region. Blenheim and the full wine trail, the Queen Charlotte Sound and Picton, the Abel Tasman Coast Track by water taxi and on foot, Nelson's arts quarter and Saturday market, Te Waihou Puna springs in Golden Bay and the extraordinary Farewell Spit guided tour to the lighthouse at the tip of the South Island.
Best Time To Visit
Oct to Apr. Wine harvest Feb to Mar. Abel Tasman best Nov to Mar.
Getting There
Fly to Blenheim or Nelson. Cook Strait ferry Picton to Wellington.
Getting Around
Car essential. Water taxis for Abel Tasman beaches.
Budget Per Day
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$420 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Abel Tasman coastal walking on flat terrain.
DAY 1
BLENHEIM WINE
MORNING
BLENHEIM AND THE MARLBOROUGH WINE TRAIL
Blenheim sits at the heart of the most celebrated Sauvignon Blanc region on earth, its extraordinary Wairau Valley producing wines that redefined global perceptions of New Zealand. The remarkable Cloudy Bay, Brancott Estate, Dog Point and Villa Maria wineries all offer tastings. The extraordinary bike trail through the vineyards gives the finest wine touring experience in New Zealand. The remarkable Marlborough Museum tells the story of how Sauvignon Blanc transformed the region. Most tastings free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
RENWICK VILLAGE AND THE VINEYARD CYCLE TRAIL
Renwick in the heart of the Marlborough wine region is the most extraordinary cycling village in New Zealand, its remarkable collection of boutique wineries all within easy cycling distance of each other giving the finest wine by bicycle experience in the country. The extraordinary Spy Valley, Wairau River and Fromm wineries around Renwick are the finest for tasting Marlborough Pinot Gris and Riesling alongside the famous Sauvignon Blanc. Bike hire in Renwick approx NZ$30. Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
PICTON AND THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS OVERVIEW
Picton is the most extraordinary small port in the South Island, the Cook Strait ferry terminus and the gateway to the extraordinary Marlborough Sounds. The remarkable Shakespeare Bay and the extraordinary Queen Charlotte Sound visible from the Tirohanga Track above the town give the finest introduction to the drowned valley landscape of the Sounds. The remarkable Edwin Fox, the world's oldest surviving merchant sailing ship, is moored in Picton harbour. Edwin Fox entry approx NZ$18.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Wairau Bar archaeological site east of Blenheim is the most significant archaeological site in New Zealand's South Island, the first settlement of Polynesian voyagers around 700 years ago. The DOC interpretation panels tell the story of the earliest New Zealanders. Entirely free. The most extraordinary hidden historical site in Marlborough.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Blenheim Coffee before the vineyard trail. | Lunch: Winery restaurant, Marlborough Outstanding vineyard lunch. Local Marlborough salmon and Sauvignon Blanc. | Dinner: Wairau Bar Restaurant, Blenheim Outstanding Marlborough restaurant. Local salmon, lamb and cellar door wine.
DAY 2
MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS
MORNING
QUEEN CHARLOTTE DRIVE AND THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS
The Queen Charlotte Drive from Picton to Havelock is the most extraordinary coastal road in Marlborough, its remarkable 35km of winding road above the extraordinary Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds giving continuous views of the drowned valley landscape. The extraordinary Linkwater and Cullen Point lookouts give the finest views over the Sounds. The remarkable Havelock at the end of the drive is the green-lipped mussel capital of the world. Travel: 1 hour drive to Nelson
MIDDAY
NELSON ARRIVAL AND THE WATERFRONT
Nelson's extraordinary waterfront precinct gives the finest arrival in the top of the South Island, the remarkable Wakefield Quay with its working fishing fleet and the extraordinary Suter Art Gallery nearby outstanding. The remarkable Christ Church Cathedral in the heart of the city and the fine Trafalgar Street arts precinct give the finest city walk in Nelson. The extraordinary Tahuna Beach east of the city is the finest free beach near Nelson. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
NELSON ARTS QUARTER AND GALLERIES
Nelson's extraordinary concentration of galleries, ceramics studios and craft workshops gives the finest arts experience in the South Island outside Christchurch. The remarkable South Street Gallery precinct, the extraordinary Jens Hansen goldsmith where the Lord of the Rings One Ring was made and the fine Craft Habitat on the waterfront are outstanding. The Nelson Arts Festival in October is the finest regional arts festival in New Zealand.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve on the drive between Havelock and Nelson is the most extraordinary river swimming hole in Marlborough, a remarkable pool beneath ancient native totara and podocarps beside the extraordinary clear Pelorus River. Entirely free. Used as a filming location for The Hobbit barrel scene.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Blenheim or cafe in Picton Before the Queen Charlotte Drive. | Lunch: Havelock Marina Cafe Outstanding green-lipped mussel chowder in the mussel capital of the world. | Dinner: Hopgood's Restaurant, Nelson Outstanding Nelson restaurant. Local seafood and South Island lamb.
DAY 3
ABEL TASMAN
MORNING
ABEL TASMAN WATER TAXI TO ANCHORAGE
The water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park gives the most extraordinary coastal boat journey in New Zealand, the remarkable passage along the park coast past extraordinary golden sand beaches, Tonga Island seal colony and vivid turquoise water. The extraordinary Anchorage Bay, the finest beach in the park, gives the best base for the Coast Track walk. Water taxi from Marahau approx NZ$40 to NZ$60. Travel: 2 hour coastal walk
MIDDAY
ABEL TASMAN COAST TRACK WALK
The Abel Tasman Coast Track between Anchorage and Bark Bay is the finest section of the most beautiful coastal walk in New Zealand, the extraordinary Torrent Bay lagoon crossing at low tide, the remarkable Te Pukatea Bay with its extraordinary overhanging granite bluffs and the fine Bark Bay beach with its extraordinary split by the tidal stream giving the finest 2-hour coastal walk in the country. Cleopatra's Pool natural water slide detour is outstanding. Travel: Water taxi return
AFTERNOON
KAITERITERI BEACH AND MARAHAU
Kaiteriteri is the most extraordinary public beach in the Abel Tasman gateway, its remarkable golden sand and the extraordinary rocky headlands giving the finest beach afternoon near the park. The remarkable Kaiteriteri Beach is the finest swimming beach in the top of the South Island outside the park itself. The drive back to Nelson through the extraordinary apple orchards of the Motueka Valley gives the finest rural drive in Tasman.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cleopatra's Pool in the Abel Tasman is the most extraordinary hidden swimming experience in the park, a natural granite water slide into a clear pool 45 minutes from the coast track. Entirely free. Almost entirely unknown to water taxi day visitors. The finest secret in the Abel Tasman National Park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Marahau or Nelson Early departure for the Abel Tasman water taxi. | Lunch: Pack lunch at Abel Tasman beach Eat on the extraordinary golden sand in the national park. | Dinner: The Boat Shed, Nelson Outstanding waterfront restaurant. Local Nelson scallops and Cloudy Bay clams.
DAY 4
NELSON ARTS
MORNING
NELSON SATURDAY MARKET AND ARTS QUARTER
The Nelson Saturday morning market on Montgomery Square is the finest in the South Island, its extraordinary collection of local organic produce, artisan ceramics, handmade jewellery and craft goods giving the finest single morning experience in Nelson. The remarkable Suter Art Gallery beside the square has the finest regional collection in New Zealand including works by Frances Hodgkins. The extraordinary Nelson market is at its best before 10am. Gallery entry approx NZ$8. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TAKAKA HILL AND THE RIWAKA RESURGENCE
Takaka Hill between Nelson and Golden Bay is the most extraordinary marble karst landscape in New Zealand, the remarkable Ngarua Caves, the extraordinary Harwood's Hole at 183 metres the deepest cave entrance in New Zealand, and the remarkable Riwaka Resurgence where the full flow of the Takaka River emerges from underground giving the finest single geological spectacle in the top of the South Island. Resurgence free, cave tours approx NZ$25. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
TAKAKA VILLAGE AND GOLDEN BAY ARRIVAL
Takaka is the most extraordinary alternative village in New Zealand, its remarkable collection of organic cafes, alternative health practitioners and environmental activists giving it a unique character among South Island towns. The extraordinary Golden Bay behind the hill gives the finest introduction to New Zealand's most remote accessible corner. The Golden Bay coast road toward Collingwood and Farewell Spit is outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Harwood's Hole near the top of Takaka Hill is the most extraordinary natural hole in New Zealand, a remarkable 183-metre vertical shaft dropping through solid marble into a cave system below. The extraordinary view down from the edge is the finest single geological encounter near Nelson. Free to visit. 30-minute walk from the roadside.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Nelson Saturday market Outstanding market breakfast. Local produce and organic food. | Lunch: Cafe in Takaka Outstanding Golden Bay organic cafe. The most alternative lunch in New Zealand. | Dinner: Golden Bay restaurant or Takaka Outstanding local seafood in the most remote corner of the top of the South.
DAY 5
GOLDEN BAY
MORNING
TE WAIHOU PUNA, THE CLEAREST WATER ON EARTH
Te Waihou Puna in the Takaka Valley is one of the clearest bodies of water on earth, its extraordinary 15,000 litres per second of glacially clear water at 11.7 degrees emerging from an underground aquifer. The remarkable short boardwalk through native bush to the spring pools gives the finest water clarity encounter in New Zealand. The extraordinary underwater visibility, making the pool floor appear centimetres below the surface at metres of depth, is outstanding. Entirely free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
FAREWELL SPIT GUIDED TOUR
Farewell Spit, the most extraordinary sand spit in New Zealand, curves 32km into Golden Bay from the northern tip of the South Island. The remarkable guided tour is the only way to access the full spit, its extraordinary gannet colony, the old lighthouse and the extraordinary view over Tasman Bay and Golden Bay from the tip outstanding. The remarkable wading bird flocks including godwits that migrate to Alaska each spring are the finest in New Zealand. Tour approx NZ$100. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
GOLDEN BAY COAST AND WHARARIKI BEACH
Wharariki Beach at the tip of the South Island is the most extraordinary wild beach in the top of the South, its remarkable sea arches, the extraordinary seal colony on the rocks offshore and the dramatic Archway Islands visible at low tide giving the finest wild beach experience near Farewell Spit. The 20-minute walk from the car park through extraordinary farmland to the beach is entirely free. The finest hidden beach in Marlborough.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Wharariki Beach beyond Farewell Spit is the most extraordinary hidden beach in New Zealand's top of the South, its remarkable sea arches and seal colony entirely free and largely unknown to visitors who stop at Farewell Spit. 20-minute walk from the car park. The finest wild beach discovery in the entire Marlborough and Nelson region.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Takaka Coffee before the Te Waihou Puna morning. | Lunch: Pakawau Beach Store or cafe Outstanding Golden Bay cafe near Farewell Spit. | Dinner: Farewell Spit farewell dinner Outstanding final top of South meal. Local seafood and Marlborough wine.
Where To Stay
Blenheim, Night 1 Chateau Marlborough or Hotel Marlborough. Wine country. Approx NZ$180 to NZ$350. Nelson, Nights 2 to 3 Trailways Hotel or Boutique Hotel Nelson. City centre. Approx NZ$160 to NZ$320. Takaka, Nights 4 to 5 Golden Bay Motel or Annie's Niagara Lodge. Approx NZ$130 to NZ$250.
Top Tips
1. Book Abel Tasman water taxis weeks ahead in January and February. The park is New Zealand's most visited.
2. The Marlborough wine harvest runs February to March. Many wineries offer harvest volunteer opportunities.
3. Nelson Saturday market is best arrived at by 9am before the finest produce sells out.
4. Farewell Spit guided tours must be booked at farewellspit.com. Only tours can access the full spit.
5. Takaka Hill between Nelson and Golden Bay has the finest marble cave scenery in New Zealand.
6. Te Waihou Puna springs are the clearest water on earth. Visit on a calm day for the finest conditions.
Total Budget
Approx NZ$200 to NZ$420 per person per day