Nelson and Abel Tasman, New Zealand: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Nelson sits at the head of Tasman Bay (Te Tai-o-Aorere), in the north of the South Island, and is one of the country’s oldest towns, founded by English settlers in 1841. It has about 50,000 residents, over 2,400 hours of sunshine a year, and a small downtown with the cathedral atop a hill, museums, galleries and the Saturday market. The Centre of New Zealand monument on top of Botanical Hill marks the point from which the country’s first surveys were taken.

To the west the road skirts the bay, passes orchards, hop fields and vineyards and reaches Motueka, a service town about 42 km away. Further on are Kaiteriteri, with its crescent beach, and Mārahau—the two gateways to Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman is New Zealand’s smallest national park, covering 237 km²; it was created in 1942 to mark 300 years since the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman—the first European to sight these islands—passed by. The coastal track, one of the country’s Great Walks, spans 60 km between golden-sand coves, native forest and rivers that flow into the sea. Boats leaving from Kaiteriteri and from Mārahau drop off and pick up walkers and kayakers at beaches, which makes it possible to see the park in a single day.

The region is also a base for Kahurangi National Park and for Golden Bay, on the far side of Takaka Hill. The mild sunny climate and calm-water beaches make it a summer destination popular with New Zealanders.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Nelson, Kaiteriteri.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Nelson and Abel Tasman is

Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Nelson and Abel Tasman

✈ Aeroporto de Nelson (NSN) · 6 km to Nelson

Nelson Airport receives domestic flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. By road, Nelson is about 2 hours from Picton, where ferries from Wellington arrive, and about 5 hours from Christchurch. From Nelson to Kaiteriteri is roughly 60 km, about an hour by car, with buses running in season.

Suggested arrival point: Nelson

Nelson · Nelson and Abel Tasman Capital Suggested arrival point

Nelson

Nelson is the main town of the northern South Island, founded in 1841 at the head of Tasman Bay, and one of the sunniest places in the country. The centre brings together the cathedral on the hilltop, the provincial museum, The Suter gallery and the Saturday market; Botanical Hill holds the Centre of New Zealand monument. It is the base for Abel Tasman National Park and for Golden Bay.

Tasman · Nelson and Abel Tasman

Kaiteriteri

Kaiteriteri is a beach village on Tasman Bay at the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. The main crescent beach, with golden sand and calm water, is the departure point for boats that go to the park’s coves. The village has accommodation, a mountain-bike park and short walking tracks, and is close to Mārahau where the coastal track begins.

The local experience

Things to do in Nelson and Abel Tasman

Nelson · Nelson · Church

Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson

Anglican cathedral on the hilltop at the end of Trafalgar Street, built between 1925 and 1965 in a modernist neo‑Gothic style, with Tākaka marble and a granite stairway.

Kaiteriteri · Tasman · National park

Abel Tasman National Park

The smallest national park in New Zealand, at 237 km², created in 1942 on the coast of Tasman Bay. Golden-sand coves, native forest, rivers and islands, accessible by boat, by kayak or via the coastal track.

Nelson · Nelson · Museum

Nelson Provincial Museum

Museum of the history of the Nelson and Tasman region, at the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Street. Its roots lie in an institution created in 1841 by the first settlers; it houses the Tyree photographic collection, registered by UNESCO.

Kaiteriteri · Tasman · Trail

Abel Tasman Coast Track

One of New Zealand’s Great Walks: 60 km along the coast of Abel Tasman National Park, from Mārahau to the park’s northern end, passing beaches, native forest and estuaries. Day sections with boat transfers are common.

See 6 more places in Nelson and Abel Tasman

Kaiteriteri · Tasman · Beach

Kaiteriteri Beach

A crescent beach of golden sand and calm water at the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. It is the departure point for park boats and the busiest summer beach in the area.

Nelson · Nelson · Art museum

The Suter

Nelson art gallery, established in 1899, next to the Queens Gardens. Exhibitions of New Zealand art, featuring works by artists connected to the region, and temporary shows.

Nelson · Nelson · Viewpoint

Centre of New Zealand

Monument atop Botanical Hill in Nelson, marking the point used as the zero reference for the country’s first geodetic surveys. The climb through the Botanical Reserve offers views over the town and Tasman Bay.

Kaiteriteri · Tasman · Rock formation

Tokangawhā (Split Apple Rock)

A granite rock split in two, like a cut apple, about 50 meters off the coast between Kaiteriteri and Mārahau. It’s visible from the boats to Abel Tasman and, at low tide, from the beach in front.

Nelson · Nelson · Beach

Tāhunanui Beach

Wide sandy beach on Tasman Bay, about 5 km from Nelson centre, with dunes, lawns, picnic areas and shallow water at low tide.

Nelson · Nelson · Open-air museum

Founders Heritage Park

Historic village established from 1977 and opened in 1986, with original buildings and replicas that tell Nelson’s history, transport collections and a small historic railway.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From December to March, with long days and generally calm seas suitable for kayaking and boats. This is high season: book boats and accommodation. April, May, October and November are quieter with mild days. In winter, June to August, mornings can be cold, but it is often sunny.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days: one for Nelson, one for Abel Tasman National Park combining a boat trip and a section of the track, and one for kayaking or another part of the park. For the entire coastal track, allow three to five days.

Which city to stay in

Nelson has the widest range of options, in the city centre and at Tāhunanui Beach, catering to those who want town comforts, restaurants and day trips. Kaiteriteri and Mārahau sit at the park entrance and are convenient for early boat departures. Motueka, between them, offers mid-range accommodation and markets.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Nelson and Abel Tasman

Can you see Abel Tasman National Park in one day?

Yes. Boats departing from Kaiteriteri and from Mārahau take you to beaches in the park and return in the afternoon; many people land at one cove, walk a section of the coastal track and board at another. There are also day kayaking tours. From Nelson, allow about an hour’s drive to Kaiteriteri.

Do you need a car to get from Nelson to Abel Tasman?

It helps, but it’s not essential. In season there are buses between Nelson, Motueka, Kaiteriteri and Mārahau, and some boat operators offer transport from Nelson. For Golden Bay and Kahurangi National Park, a car is more practical.

What is the best time to visit Nelson and Abel Tasman?

From December to March, with long days and calm seas for boats and kayaking. April and November are less busy. In winter mornings can be cold but it is often sunny, and the track remains open.

How many days should you stay in Nelson and Abel Tasman?

Three days allow you to see Nelson and spend two days in the park. The full coastal track takes three to five days on foot.

Is the sea water in Abel Tasman warm?

It’s cold compared with tropical seas: in summer it is usually around 18 °C to 20 °C. You can swim on warm sunny days, and many people wear neoprene suits for kayaking.

Nelson and Abel Tasman

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.