Nelson Day Trips: Abel Tasman and Golden Bay

October 30, 2026

Nelson is a handy starting point for day trips to a coastal national park, a mountain lake, a wharf village and a wine region. The drive times matter more than the distances, because Takaka Hill is slow and tides set the timing of coast walks. Prices are in NZD. Before you leave, check DOC alerts and NZTA Journeys for slips and flood damage.

Abel Tasman from Kaiteriteri

Kaiteriteri is about 60 km from Nelson. The classic day is a water taxi into the park plus a section of the coast walk. Anchorage to Bark Bay is 8.4 km and takes about 3 hours when you use the low-tide Torrent Bay crossing, or 11.5 km and about 4 hours by the high-tide track. Read the tide table first. Cruise-only days start from about 120. Day walks and park entry are free.

Golden Bay

Takaka is about 106 km from Nelson and the drive over Takaka Hill (SH60) takes about 2 hours each way. Floods in 2025 damaged the road, and stop/go traffic management and a 30 km/h limit have been reported near Cooks Corner, so check NZTA Journeys before you go. In Golden Bay you can see:

Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs, on a boardwalk loop. The springs are wahi tapu and DOC closes the water to all contact: no swimming, touching, wading or boating. Parts of the viewing platforms are unfenced and the water is cold and swift, so supervise children.
Wharariki Beach, about 20 minutes on foot from the end of Wharariki Road over farmland. Rips and currents are strong, there are no lifeguards, and swimming is not recommended. Stay 20 m from seals.
Farewell Spit, where a tour takes about 6.5 to 7 hours. A tour plus the Takaka Hill drive makes a very long day, so an overnight stay suits most visitors.

Nelson Lakes

St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti are the base for the Mount Robert Circuit, which DOC puts at 3 to 5 hours depending on the source. It starts from Mount Robert Road (about 4.9 km from SH63, 2 km west of St Arnaud), and the gate is locked when the road is icy. Lake Rotoroa is the second big lake in the park.

Mapua Wharf and Rabbit Island

This is a half-day outing. Mapua Wharf has Golden Bear Brewing, The Smokehouse and Rimu Grove Cellar Door and Wine Bar. The Mapua Ferry crosses to Rabbit Island in about 10 minutes and carries foot passengers and cyclists.

Marlborough wine region

Blenheim and the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre are roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way, so this is a long day. Check admission prices with the centre.

Too far for one day

Kaikoura, the West Coast, Queenstown and Hanmer Springs are all better as multi-day trips with an overnight stop.