Tasman

Golden sand, turquoise water and three national parks: Tasman is the sunny top of the South Island, home to the Abel Tasman Coast Track and the remote beauty of Golden Bay.

Highlights

• Abel Tasman National Park Kayak, take a water taxi, or walk the 60 km Coast Track Great Walk between golden bays.
• Golden Bay Laid-back villages, Farewell Spit and Wharariki Beach with its rock arches.
• Te Waikoropupū Springs Some of the clearest fresh water ever measured; a sacred place, so look but do not touch.
• Nelson Lakes National Park Alpine lakes at St Arnaud and Rotoiti.
• Kahurangi National Park The Heaphy Track Great Walk through forest and nīkau palms to the West Coast.

Best time to go

December to April for kayaking and swimming. Shoulder seasons are quieter and the Coast Track is walkable all year.

Getting there

Fly to Nelson, then drive about an hour to Kaiteriteri or Mārahau for Abel Tasman. Golden Bay is about two hours from Nelson over Tākaka Hill.

Main towns

Motueka, Kaiteriteri, Tākaka, Collingwood, Richmond, St Arnaud