Nelson Adventure Travel
4 min read
Nestled in the top north west corner of New Zealand’s south island is the sunny Nelson region. With its mild climate and abundant sunshine, this rugged wilderness is the ideal location for adventure seekers looking for an action-packed travel experience.
Nelson City, the region’s hub, is a great base for those who want to experience the best adventure tourism this region has to offer. Nelson’s diverse and magnificent landscape is comprised of white sandy beaches, lush forests and rugged mountains. With great centrally located accommodation available like the Quality Inn Nelson this pristine wilderness adventure playground is the perfect destination for your next holiday.
Golden Bay
The secluded coastal waters of Golden Bay are the undisputed hidden gem of the south island. And with so many warm, golden sandy beaches to choose from Golden Bay is a great destination for that family holiday adventure. Why not take a day trip to Ligar Bay or Wainiu for a truly invigorating beach experience? Or if high-energy water sports are at the top of your ‘to do’ list then Abel Tasman National Park is the destination for you. Grab your wetsuit and head down to the deeper waters of Tata Beach or Totaranui, a popular spot for water skiing and kayaking enthusiasts.
Submerge yourself in one of the crystal clear river swimming holes along the 1.5 kilometre track that leads to picturesque Wainui Falls. Along the way, see the majestic nikau palms, rata trees and ferns. Or take a walk through native forests to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs at Te Waikoropupu, renowned as the clearest spring waters in the world.
A trip to the south island would not be complete without a tour of the Farewell Spit, known as Onetahua by the Maori people. For a superb sustainable-tourism experience why not book a Farewell Spit eco-tour and be amazed by the unique landscape of the south island’s most northerly point. Visit famous Farewell Spit Lighthouse and see the vast vertical cliffs of Cape Farewell – a spectacular site not to be missed. If you’re looking for a sightseeing tour with a difference, why not try horse riding along the secluded Wharariki Beach? The untouched coastal landscape of the Golden Bay region is guaranteed to take your breath away.
Murchison – New Zealand’s white water capital!
Get your action fix with a white water rafting experience at famous Murchison. With seven fast-flowing rivers to its name, it’s no surprise this region is known as the white water capital of New Zealand. In fact, this pristine river region offers some of the best rafting in the world. From family friendly day trips to adrenalin-charged wilderness heli-rafting, Murchison has it all. But there’s more! Murchison is also a prime destination for kayaking, canoeing and jet boating, and out of the water there are top rate mountain biking tracks for off-road cycling enthusiasts to enjoy.
Walking and hiking
Covering 452,000 hectare Kahurangi National Park is New Zealand’s second largest national park and is recognised as a premier hiking region. For committed adventure trekkers looking for a 5 to 6 day hiking trip, the Heaphy Track at Kahurangi is a ‘must do’. From alpine mountain track to glorious palm lined beaches this extensive hike offers a unique view of the New Zealand terrain. See first-hand how this majestic landscape changes from the inland to the sea.
Experience the crystal clear glacial waters and rugged alpine mountains of Nelson Lakes National Park. This walkers’ paradise has a range of tracks suitable for beginners through to experienced hikers. Famous for its native honey dew forests and nectar-eating birds, a visit to Nelson Lakes is a magical experience not to be missed.
Kayaking and fly fishing
Soak up the thrill of a sea kayaking adventure around the famous Split Apple Rock in the crisp waters of the Abel Tasman National Park. Explore the many lagoons and coves and get a close up view of the native sea and bird life. If fishing is your game, then cast a line with the best at the Travers, Sabine or D’Urville rivers. With some of the best fly fishing in the world, keen anglers will not want to miss the opportunity to cast a line in search of a stunning rainbow or brown trout.
The Nelson region is the perfect destination for the action traveller in search of a pure New Zealand adventure experience.
