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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
Beach on Rabbit Island© Pseudopanax · Public domain
Beach

Rabbit Island (Moturoa)

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

Stays in Māpua & Ruby Coast
Māpua Wharf© Wildman NZ · CC BY-SA 4.0
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
Pōhara© Michal Klajban · CC BY 4.0
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© Blair McBride · CC BY-SA 2.0
Beach

Tāhunanui Beach

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

Stays in Nelson City
Centre of New Zealand© Siobhan Leachman · CC0
Walk

Centre of New Zealand

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

Stays in Nelson City
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