Abel Tasman & the North West Holidays

Where are Abel Tasman & The North West?
The South Island’s north-western corner is fringed by Tasman Bay in the north and the Tasman Sea in the west, with the Marlborough Winelands to the east. The main gateway to the region is Nelson, which is less than two hours by road from where the ferries from the North Island arrive; it also has an airport from where you can fly to various domestic destinations. From here, you’ll need your own wheels to drive the fabulous Nelson to West Coast route through the Buller Gorge or to tackle the coastal road up to the island’s northern point at Farewell Spit via Abel Tasman National Park.

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Centre of New Zealand
The ‘Top of the South’, as it’s sometimes called, is known for its sunny climate, thriving arts scene and glorious seaside setting. Nelson’s diverse attractions mean you could be trekking up through a botanical reserve to a monument marking – not quite accurately – ‘the centre of New Zealand’ one moment and visiting a museum filled with classic cars the next. Stroll the historic centre of the South Island’s oldest city to appreciate its fine Victorian buildings and linger over meals that feature local ingredients and global influences. There are lots of ways to work off the calories in the mountains that hem in the city on three sides, from short circular walks to multi-day trails.

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Abel Tasman National Park
North of Nelson, where limestone and marble hills meet the ocean, the picturesque and remote Abel Tasman National Park is the setting for one of New Zealand’s most popular Great Walks. The 37-mile Coast Track winds through scenic bays and native woodlands, crossing natural inlets and white sand beaches. It takes about five days to complete the whole route, allowing time for cooling swims and admiring the scenery, though it’s perfectly possible to do a much shorter section. Take a boat or kayak trip along the coastline to discover some of the area’s marine life – the adjoining Tonga Island Marine Reserve has crystal-clear water for snorkelling and resident populations of little blue penguins and fur seals.

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Sand dunes and pancake rocks
Stretching for 20 bliss-inducing miles from the South Island’s most northerly settlement, Farewell Spit has been an internationally renowned bird sanctuary for almost 100 years. Its wetlands and cliffs heave with gannets, curlews and bar-tailed godwits, to name just a few of the 112 or so species seen here at different times of the year. Kayak, sail or take a 4x4 safari for word-class twitching along with sculpted sand dunes, clifftop views and a historic lighthouse. Down the west coast, don’t miss Punakaiki’s ancient limestone Pancake Rocks and Blowholes; these curious 30-million-year-old rock formations are one of New Zealand’s most visited natural attractions. Time your visit for high tide for the full splashy effect.

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West-coast towns
The largest town on the South Island’s west coast, Greymouth has shops, cafés and restaurants, impressively scenic surroundings and a fascinating industrial history. From here, you can hop on the TranzAlpine train for a memorable trip across the Southern Alps to Christchurch, pick up the West Coast Wilderness long-distance cycling trail or meander on to Hokitika, a chilled-out beach town dating back to the great Kiwi gold rush of the 1860s. Make the 20-mile detour inland from here to the spectacular Hokitika Gorge, where an easy walk through native forest leads to a swing bridge overlooking turquoise waters hemmed in by sheer granite cliffs.

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