Nestled in the northeast corner of South Island, the sun-soaked Nelson Tasman is New Zealand’s feel-good region, with plenty to keep visitors occupied any time of year. Boasting adventure and activities galore, backed by oodles of wining and dining options come sundown, Nelson and its surrounds are a firm favourite with all at Verve. Check out these hidden gems and highlights…
Explore
Tasman’s Great Taste Trail
You don’t need to set aside four days to complete all of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail, a half- or full day will suffice to savour one of its best sections. The first leg of this astronomic, gastronomic Great Ride reaches from downtown Nelson to Māpua Wharf, via the wetlands of the Waimea Inlet—that hosts wading birds like the white heron and the oystercatcher—and the shady tōtara forests of Rabbit Island from where a short ferry arrives at the wharf.
Bike trip or not, there are few better places in the entire country to kick and back and relax with a cold craft beer or vino than the reimagined Māpua Wharf. The waterside setting serves as a microcosm for all that makes the Nelson region—and the rest of Aotearoa for that matter—so appealing, thanks to its galleries, boutiques, bars and eateries such as the seafood delights of The Smokehouse and the Golden Bear Brewing Company where craft brews and gastropub fare can be enjoyed open air to the floating notes of live music. Kiwi Journeys Nelson (kiwijourneys.co.nz) can help arrange tours and shuttles, including bike hire and ferry tickets, between Nelson city the wharf, as well as around the wider region.
Protected Paradise
This tucked away corner of Aotearoa serves as the gateway to three national parks: Nelson Lakes, Kahurangi, and Abel Tasman, the latter two home of Great Walks the Heaphy Track and Coast Track, respectively. Linking Nelson Tasman to West Coast, Kahurangi, which translates as “treasured possession” is the nation’s second largest national park, and its most diverse, cradling ancient forest and underground cave systems along with 80 percent of the country’s alpine plant species, 60 types of birds (including the great spotted kiwi), the giant land snail, and the giant wētā. There are heaps of short treks as well as the legendary Heaphy Track, a Great Walk that follows an age-old route that early Māori used to collect pounamu. Between May-November, the track also doubles as a mountain bike trail. Again, try Kiwi Journeys Nelson for shuttles, tours, and transport, including bike hire.
of the nation’s most stunning beaches, backed by forest and overlooking the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Though it might be a little too chilly for most to do any kayaking at present, beneath big, crisp, clear blue skies, Great Walk the Coast Track offers mesmeric views over the oceanside park minus the crowds—and the sandflies! There are ample opportunities to explore this pristine park in style and luxurious comfort, with companies such as Abel Tasman Guides (abeltasmanguides. co.nz) offering one- through to multi-day tours, with lodge or glamping options as well as baggage transport along the track.
Middle-Earth Magic
Surrounded by so much spectacular scenery, it’s little wonder that the Nelson Tasman region was chosen as the setting for several locations for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. Visit the atmospheric Chetwood Forest, over Tākaka Hill, to discover the ancient marble outcrops and shady beech tree canopy that sheltered Aragon and the hobbits from the Black Riders in Lord of the Rings: An Unexpected Journey. The nearby Harwoods Hole is New Zealand’s deepest vertical shaft, a knee-trembling sinkhole that plunges 176m into an underground river.
Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is another hobbit haunt, and one that’s so breathtaking, it was chosen by Sir Peter Jackson himself. The dazzling blue-green waters of the Te Hoiere/ Pelorus and Rai Rivers—popular swimming spots in the summer months—are lined with birdsong-filled podocarp forest easily explored via a series of trails.
Acclaimed artisan jewellery store and workshop Jens Hansen (jenshansen.co.nz) was originally founded by Jens—a third-generation Danish silversmith—in his family front room in Nelson in 1968, but now rests in the heart of the city in Trafalgar Square. A pioneer of his industry, Jens was commissioned, along with his son, Thorkild, to design and craft the originally ‘One Ring’ (they actually made more than 40 variations for various scenes) and other accessories for the Lord of the Rings movies. Jens tragically died in 1999, but his eldest son, Halfdan, continues his legacy as general manager and creative director. Visitors to Jens Hansen may witness the skilled team work its magic in the gallery and workshop, hand-forging customised and unique pieces—including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cufflinks and replicas of the world’s most famous ring—all stamped with Jens’s original iconic Maker’s Mark, a pagan-like symbol of good fortune.
Stay
Escape to feed your soul and your senses at the uber-luxurious Maruia River Retreat (maruia.co.nz), a half-hour drive from Murchison in the southern reaches of Nelson Tasman. Set in dense bush on the banks of its eponymous river, this restful 200-hectare estate is laced with an array of nature walks and houses seven private modern villas with water views. Native and exotic flora hosts a bounty of birdlife—as well as goats and deer—complemented by a fruit orchard that helps keeps the organic kitchen well-stocked. There are opportunities to kayak, raft, swim, and fish in the river, while the airstrip and helipad enables aerial tours. Free yoga classes run most days (private sessions also available), while the onsite Wellness Spa offers massages and naturopath treatments, and ‘forest bathing’ by way of a riverside outdoor stoked hot tub and infrared chromatherapy sauna.
Three spacious, six-star suites await at the handsome Eden House (edenhouse.co.nz), luxury lodgings lodged between Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park in the Orinoco Valley. Enjoy views of the tranquil gardens (designed courtesy of courtesy of co-owner Bobbie…., who attended London’s English Gardening School and the Inchbald School of Design) from either of the two cottages or one lodge suite, all of which measure at least 110 square metres with private verandas or lawn area. Described by Tatler as “an instant word-of-mouth winner”, bookings at this most romantic of rural hideaways, replete with open fires, spa pool, helipad, artist’s studio and walking trails, also include fine dining and fine wines.
Exclusivity abounds at the jaw-dropping Falcon Brae (stoneflylodge.co.nz/the-villa), the latest contemporary development at Stonefly Lodge, less than an hour’s drive from downtown Nelson. Its prime hilltop setting sure sets the mood with expansive views of the Moteuka River and the surrounding mountains—and just wait till the stars explode across the night sky post-sunset. The 720-sq-metre lodge, sprouting from a sprawling 140-hectare site with its own forest and bush trails, is split between three suites and a bunkbed room, with space for up to 10 guests. Interior delights include a commercial kitchen (with optional private chef and house staff), media theatre, grand piano, games den (including gym equipment, table tennis and a pool table), and a wonderful collection of original Kiwi art, while outside awaits a helipad, pool and heated spa, and a massive deck from where to take in those views. What’s more, the whole site’s off-grid and powered by solar panels.
Drink & Dine
Nelson’s craft beer credentials need little introduction. Its hops are world renowned; the region produces all the commercial hops for New Zealand cementing it as the craft beer brewing capital (craftbrewingcapital.co.nz). Neighbouring Marlborough is of course a winemaking heavyweight of Aotearoa, but Nelson Tasman has its decent share of vineyards too (tastenelsonwines. nz), with the region especially noted for its pinot noir, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc. Few other spots will keep you as merry, or as well-fed.
Built in pretty Upper Moutere in the 1970s, Neudorf (neudorf. co.nz) has established itself as a local icon recognised on the international stage. The vineyard, famed for being dry farmed and organic, graces wine lists of leading eateries around the globe, counting the likes of Gordon Ramsay among its fans. “We currently export to about 16 countries and that list continues to grow,” says Judy Finn, who co-founded the winery with husband Tim. “And the challenge is still there—better wine year by year.” Its tucked away, dappled garden, surrounded by hills and hops and strings of vines in the shadow of the handsome timber estate is a magical spot to sit sampling their offerings.
Cameras to the ready—not only are the dishes super Instragramable, so too is the setting of the Boat Shed Café (boatshedcafe.co.nz), set on stilts overlooking the water of Nelson city’s Wakefield Quay. The sustainable seasonal menu is usually heavy on the seafood, accompanied by the likes of steaks and lamb racks, or, if you’re feeling adventurous—or indecisive—there’s a ‘Trust the Chef’ set option. Try to time your visit for sunset for an even more spectacular meal.
Words — Jamie Christian Desplaces
