Top Things to do in Nelson-Tasman Region
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What to do and see in Nelson-Tasman Region, South Island: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Nelson-Tasman Region, New Zealand including Abel Tasman Coast Track, Nelson Lakes National Park, Kereru Gallery, Wharariki Beach Walking Track, Wainui Falls Track, Rawhiti Cave Track, Dancing Sands Distillery, Rare Creations Interactive Wooden Art Gallery, Tata Beach, Dust & Rust.
Restaurants in Nelson-Tasman Region
1. Abel Tasman Coast Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 915 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By DelaineJ4
An Awesome Experience of the one of the best experiences to have in New Zealand. We trekked into the park for the 5 days, well worth the total trek to go to the end of the walk from the Nelson end start point. The huts are basic but its all in who travels the same days as you, to make it more fun.. You need to bring everything.. We used a spray bottle filled with filtered water to wash our private parts with or else had cold showers.. Saving the environment by not using toilet paper.. the wildlife was fun/funny.. watch out for the wekas who will steal anything if they can.. other beautiful birds to see too.. The coast is stunningly beautiful, and the water taxi ride out of the park is a total contrast of a blast.. I'd thoroughly recommend booking well in advance, 5 months.. to have this awesome experience of real New Zealand. Its a medium level fitness exercise too. The paths are well maintained and the beaches the same.
2. Nelson Lakes National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Travelove58
No doubt this is a very stunningly beautiful lake. Amidst the backdrop of majestic mountains enveloped by foggy clouds, it's just crazily beautiful. And the small unrailed wooden jetty jutting out towards the mountains adds to the serene atmosphere. But what makes this lake very different from the other just as stunning lakes are the "natural add-ons." This lake has many nice Mandarin Ducks, Black Swans, even Black Fishes ( looks like Catfishes) - all happily swimming near the shore. And even few seagulls roaming around the shore area. However, we had an unexpected add-ons -SANDFLIES! Shortly after we got out of car, we were attacked by swarms of sandflies. We did not expect it as so far all the lakes we have been to don't have sandflies or just occasional ones. We had anti insect patches but did not put it on earlier - too late. Perhaps its the timing- we were here around dusk- which I believe is when sandflies are most active. We had to cut short the time here & ran off quickly. The sandflies even got into the car. And all of us got quite a number of bites! What a spoilsport- terrible sandflies!!
3. Kereru Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
4. Wharariki Beach Walking Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By spidernz - Gisborne, New Zealand
We got four seasons in 20 minutes, and sand-blasted to the max to go with it, and didn't regret a second of it - even if the weather at the beach was horrible. Looking at he photos a week later, all we could remember was the stunning views. An easy over-farm land walk and a bit of soft sand at the end, this is accessible to most, and the views of the arches in the rocks is one of NZ's best kept secrets (although there were about 20 cars in the carpark, so maybe the secret is getting out.) About 25 minutes scenic drive from Collingwood along the bay-side road, this place is definitely recommended, just expect it to be very windy!
5. Wainui Falls Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 178 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By ChristchurchStewarts - Christchurch, New Zealand
A lovely walk in , with a lot of shade on a sunny day, through predominantly native bush to a beautiful waterful. Great for a family pursuit as not difficult.
6. Rawhiti Cave Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 99 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Dennis695 - Brisbane, Australia
we met some people on a previous walk and they told us about the cave so we had to do it .It started off easy enough then got very steep fortunately we met several people who were on their way down and all said it was well worth the effort which helped drive us on and we were so pleased we did it was sensational and the temperature drop in the cave was amazing
7. Dancing Sands Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
We want to show you our unfair advantage: our water. The clearest springs in the world, Dancing Sands Spring and Te Waikoropupu Springs are measured to be 81 metres clear. Each bottle of Dancing Sands gin is blended with the water from the aquifer that feeds Dancing Sands Spring allowing us to make the best possible gin and perfect its taste. Quality is at the centre of everything we do. Dancing Sands has an obligation to make beautiful products that mirror our surroundings. We relentlessly focus on quality through the entire product lifecycle – starting from the water that feeds the clearest spring in the world, to the ingredients that we hand select, to the glass bottles we import from France. When your quality standard is unrivaled, you make unrivaled products.
Reviewed By NZer71 - Havelock North, New Zealand
Went to Dancing Sands Distillery for gin tasting. Definitely worth the visit if you like gin. Some really different flavors like sauvignon blanc and bourbon gins! Very informative and welcoming staff.
8. Rare Creations Interactive Wooden Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 74 reviews
Interactive Wooden Art Gallery, RARE CREATIONS offers Contemporary Furniture and a huge range of related wooden art and technical kit sets from 3 to 99 years old to bring back the lost creativity. It is the only gallery where it is almost compulsory to touch as we have many technical moving toys and sculptures.
Reviewed By Getabout72
Fantastic, awesome wooden wonderland! I wanted to buy everything there. Literally. Gorgeous wooden furniture and wonderful quirky toys and other practical creations. Fabulous designs. An aesthete's dreamland. We came here two days in a row. Absolutely worth the 20 minute drive out of Richmond. Easy to find. Plus the coffee hut on site, Lovina Cup, makes awesome coffee that satisfies. And delicious sticky lemon slice plus other goodies. GO HERE!
9. Tata Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By C5804LOterrim - South Africa, null
Went to the beach a couple of weeks ago on a good day. It was absolutely stunning. Went again today after major storms. There was a lot of drift wood and debris on the beach which spoilt it and the water wasn't as blue. Went for a kayak trip and was amazing. Hard work but fun. Do recommend it. Would be even nicer when hot and swimable. The water was pretty cold.
10. Dust & Rust
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Vintage Store selling goodies from the past 100 years: retro, mid century, antiques home ware, vintage car accessories, old road signs, two wheeled transports,items from New Zealand's pioneering & farming past, NZ books, records/vinyl, retro camping gear, old toys, old tools for carpentry, farming, mechanical. Small vintage souvenirs and Dust & Rust merchandise ( hand printed t-shirts, tea towels, postcards, fridge magnets ). All housed in the iconic & picturesque Commercial Stables, a Historic Place Trust registered unique historic building, the oldest in New Zealand.
Reviewed By vikj0n - Clive, New Zealand
Wonderful store to potter around in, have fun discovering old treasures or in my case reminders of childhood. Lovely staff, very helpful.
