Thought about staying for two nights? Make it three or four! There is so much to see and to do in the area that most of our guests wish they had planned for a longer stay when they arrive.
We put together a few popular itinerary modules for you below, just to give you an idea of how much time to allow for different activities.
Feel free to combine some of these to get a feel for the number of nights that you should book!
Known for its tranquil turquoise waters, golden sandy beaches and lush native forest, the Abel Tasman National Park is truly mesmerising – and it is bigger than you think! If you only have a day to see it, then make sure you catch a water taxi in and out of the park to really make the most of its amazing scenery.
Whether you go out for a lazy beach day to Awaroa, take the opportunity to walk parts of the coastal track or even combine a walk with a spot of sea kayaking or sailing – you will need at least one full day to see the park!
Nature lovers could take a guided eco tour to discover the park, while adrenaline junkies might opt for a heart stopping canyoning trip. With its amazing infrastructure, the options in the Abel Tasman are endless!
Let us know your preference and we will happily recommend a trip for you and take care of the bookings.
Not feeling like driving much? How about going on a traditional berry picking adventure? We have a number of great berry farms in our neighbourhood. Fill your punnets to the brim with vibrant, fresh berries! Top tip: the best way to end a berry picking adventure is lazing under the shade sails with a real fruit icecream.
Or shop till you drop on Queen Street in Richmond, home to the largest mall in the Top of the South. There are also a range of boutique stores and eateries dotted along the main street.
In the afternoon you could make a splash at one of our local swimming holes in the Aniseed River or take a scenic stroll to the Whispering Falls! This 2 hour easy return walk is our very own ‘hidden gem’. Nestled in the depths of the Aniseed Valley is a series of waterfalls that resemble a light rain shower, trickling down through water-formed crevices and lightly pattering on the limestone rock below.
With a range of family-friendly attractions dotted around the region, we guarantee that the kids will be in their element on your visit. You can start the day with a factory tour at Pic’s World of Peanut Butter. Bookings essential!
As your tour guide enlightens you with Pic’s extraordinary story, you’ll get to watch as the peanuts tumble out of the roaster, get squeezed through the grinder and pumped into jars, before being sent off down the conveyor belts to be transported to peanut butter lovers the world over.
Stop at Tahunanui beach with its fun park and amazing playground – certainly a favourite of our kids! Then head out to the Mapua Wharf for some fun in the sun. With a jetty ideal for an afternoon dip, locally made icecream on hand, and the best fish and chips imaginable, you’re all set for the rest of the day.
If you’re unlucky enough to catch a rare bout of bad weather in the sunshine capital of New Zealand, never fear, because there is lots to keep you entertained on the inside of four walls! Maybe stop the Nelson Classic Car Museum in Stoke? You’ll be amazed by one of Australasia’s largest collections of veteran, vintage and classic cars. Not into cars?
Then how about a visit to Pic’s World of Peanut Butter? Here kids of all ages (including the big adult ones) can tour the new factory and watch as the peanut butter makers crush, roast, pump and seal the delicious spread we all know and love?
A tiki-tour of the art galleries and the Nelson Provincial Museum could be in order, and the Suter Art Gallery is one not to be missed, with a range of fascinating collections spanning over 200 years. Then spend the afternoon taking a pottery class in one of our local pottery studios or just relax in a spa bath at the Richmond Aquatic Centre.
The Wairoa Gorge is the ultimate mountain biking experience! Set amongst lush native beech forest deep in the Wairoa Valley, The Wairoa Gorge is home to over 70km of hand-built mountain-bike trails.
Mixing back country riding with bike park convenience, the Gorge contains 40+ tracks across grades 2-5. Plan at least a full day for this! For a proper mountain biking getaway, why not take a few days to include a number of these rides in your itinerary (none of which are further than 60 minutes from the lodge!): Wairoa Gorge, Codgers, The Coppermine Trail, Involution, Sharlands, Silvan, Kaiteriteri and/or Teetotal?
We can help you with hiring bikes, booking the trails and also hook you up with some incredible heli-biking for the ultimate experience!
Golden Bay is an amazing day trip option. Visit Farewell Spit and windblown Wharariki beach with its seal colony right at the top, stop for some steamed mussels at The Mussel Inn, stroll through the town of Takaka and make sure to see Pupu spring, home to some of the clearest water ever measured!
You could also try your luck at fishing your own salmon at Anatoki salmon farm and have this smoked for you on the spot! This is a fun family experience and will take the meaning of ‘fresh’ to a whole new level.
Kids also love searching for the small figurines at the Labyrinth Rocks park, veiled by fallen leaves and rocky ledges, and spotting the faces and characters etched into the limestone outcrops that define maze-like pathways.
If you have time, check out the Ngarua Caves at the top of Takaka Hill, but keep track of your time! It will take you just over 2 hours driving time one way to Farewell Spit!
You’re after some property mountain hiking? No problem! The summits of Mt. Robert in the Nelson Lakes National Park and Mt. Arthur in the Kahurangi National Park await your ascent!
Each of these peaks can be climbed in a challenging whole day return trip. After a 60min drive to Flora car park, the challenging 9.2km climb up Mt. Arthur leads over rolling ridges and through waving tussock fields will treat you to glimpses of the panoramic views that await you at the top, and you’ll be left fascinated by the glaciated marble outcrops and limestone landscapes that surround you.
The 9km Mt. Robert Circuit is a loop track around the northern face of Pourangahau/Mount Robert starting from Mt. Robert car park at St. Arnaud. It offers spectacular views over Lake Rotoiti that will keep even kids entertained.
The Pear Orchard Lodge is a peaceful self-catering lodge on a working orchard with beautiful sunny rooms, excellent facilities, friendly hosts & amazing views in the heart of the Nelson Tasman region in the South Island of New Zealand. Ideal for groups, events and individual travellers.
