Location: Saint Arnaud
Top Things to do in Saint Arnaud
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What to do and see in Saint Arnaud, South Island: The Best Things to do
Saint Arnaud is a small alpine village located in the north of New Zealand's South Island, west of the mountains of the Saint Arnaud Range and 90 kilometres southwest of Nelson near the historic Tophouse Settlement.
1. Mount Robert Circuit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By waiake1 - Auckland, New Zealand
This hike is a bit more strenuous than it looks at first. The trickiest part was the ending as there had been a few avalanches and the trails were washed away and had been rebuilt. The temperature changes greatly from the start to the top and you should bring slayed clothing to take off and put on. The views are fantastic and I would recommend this to anyone who has hiked a bit. Hiking boots are recommended.
2. Travers-Sabine Circuit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
3. St Arnaud Range Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Earthie33 - Perth, Australia
We walked the St Arnaud Range Track in late December. The walk starts in the beech forest and gradually gets steeper and steeper and steeper. The track is a bit tricky with lots of tree roots and loose rocks so hiking boots with good grip are recommended. We found this walk HARD. It is steep uphill the whole way with no relief. Saying that though, the views at the top are worth it. We are quite unfit but we made it eventually - it took us 6 hours compared to the 5 hours on the sign at the start, but a lot of people overtook us and completed it much faster.
4. Rainbow Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
The Southern Alps of the South Island are host to a number of superb ski resorts. One of the most beautiful and best value is Rainbow Ski Area near St Arnaud, high in the north of this great mountain chain within the world famous Nelson/Marlborough lifestyle region. Reaching a height of over 1760 metres, Rainbow captures regular winter snow, complemented by extensive snow making, all superbly groomed to create a stunning winter playground. The wide uncrowded slopes and well groomed trails provide superb terrain for beginners and intermediates while advanced skiers can challenge themselves in the high powder runs and chutes. Snowboarders love the varied terrain, jumps, bumps and drops. A terrain park has been developed, offering more thrills & spills for adventurous boarders and skiers.
Reviewed By PieterS90 - Nelson, New Zealand
I went with a friend for a drive to the rainbow ski fields. It wasn’t the season yet for skiing. We want to see the beautiful views and we were very lucky it just been snowing. We were greeted by a lovely young man said can I help you.I just want to look around and he said by all means. We had a lovely time walking around and playing with the snow. I definitely want to come back here again.
5. Lake Rotoiti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 147 reviews
Reviewed By Axle_Twix - Upper Hutt, New Zealand
My wife and i walked from our lodge to the lakeside, taking around 20 minutes each way. Its not a hard walk but there is an uphill slope on your return. Stunning place, little playground for the kids and plenty of room to play ball. There is a raft for diving off 15m offshore if its a good day for swimming. The eels at the waters edge just under the wharf were something different. I was standing on the boat ramp when I took these pictures.
6. Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By melanies123 - Nelson, New Zealand
Really expert knowledge and advice from DOC staff about the area. Large selection of postcards, shop for gifts, extensive local museum, maps, toilets, parking.
7. Teetotal Mountain Bike Tracks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
8. Speargrass Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By Myhikingadventures - Perth, Australia
Well worth the hike upto speargrass hut and back to Mt Robert car park. The view of mount Robert is fantastic and the track itself is easy-going and well maintained. For a taste of what Nelson Lakes has to offer, the Speargrass Track is a good starter.
9. Lake Rotoiti Circuit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
Reviewed By 422iana - Dunedin, New Zealand
Travelling with a 7 year old, an 8 year old and a 70 year old the circuit follow the lake, but is a little up and down and even in summer is in patches wet and has tree stumps across the path. Took about 4 hrs on the first day going down the east side and arriving at the hut at about 6 after setting off at about 1. Few stops for a swim. The hut was busy as two tour groups were there, but they were camping thankfully otherwise we would have not fitted in. Second day we crossed the river, slow and only up to my knees, with a couple of stream crossings. Make sure you go off the track to see the waterfall. Ran the last 3km to get the car as the kids were tired. Beautiful views and great to swim in the lake. Look for the big eels at the main warf.
10. Brunner Peninsula Nature Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Sandeep65Gupta - London, United Kingdom
This walk was fantastic. We started from Kerr Bay on Lake Rotoiti. There is plenty of parking available. It is an easy walk along the lake, linking Kerr Bay to West Bay. It around 1 hour, one way. Wear sensible shoes, but no climbing is involved.
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