Nelson - Tasman

Nelson wears its sunshine like a grin. At the top of the South Island, the city blends golden beaches and warm, clear light with a creative streak that actually earns the word “vibrant.” One minute you’re tasting Chardonnay at a family vineyard, the next you’re paddling across turquoise water or wandering a market where the maker is the person behind the stall. It’s friendly, outdoorsy, and polished just enough to feel special without trying too hard. Below is everything you need—each section fleshed out as full paragraphs—so you can plan like a local and travel like you’ve lived here for years.

Abel Tasman is the rare place that matches the postcard. Golden-sand arcs, water so clear it glows, native bush that smells like sunshine after rain—and a rhythm that invites you to slow down. It’s New Zealand’s smallest national park, but it’s also one of its most joy-filled: easy logistics, choose-your-adventure days, and plenty of places to simply float. The headline act is the 60 km Abel Tasman Coast Track, braided with boat shuttles, kayak routes, and calm lagoons so you can tailor the trip to your energy level. 

Kaiteriteri is the kind of beach town that makes you slow down without trying. The sand is genuinely golden, the water swings from pale jade to bright turquoise, and the bush rolls all the way to the shore. It’s also your easiest launchpad into Abel Tasman National Park—water taxis leave right off the beach, kayak trailers clink into place each morning, and the mountain-bike park hides in the hills behind the cafés. Come for a lazy swim, stay for the “one more day” that turns into three.

Golden Bay feels a little bit enchanted. On one side you’ve got sculpted limestone and secret caves; on the other, long sweeps of gold sand and a horizon that seems to glow. In the middle sits Tākaka—quirky, creative, and easy to love. It’s where artists hang signs that say “open, maybe,” cafés serve up great coffee with a side of local banter, and wild places begin just beyond town. Use this as your base, then point yourself toward beaches, springs, caves, and the edges of two national parks. You’ll run out of days before you run out of reasons to stay.

Standing on the top edge of the South Island, Farewell Spit (Onetahua) feels less like a destination and more like a threshold. Behind you: green hills, dairy farms, and the friendly bustle of Golden Bay. In front: a 30-plus-kilometre ribbon of sand and shell curving into the Tasman Sea, sheltering vast tidal flats and sky-wide silence. It’s raw, wind-shaped, and protected for a reason—an internationally important wetland where shorebirds rest and refuel on one of the planet’s great flyways. If you crave big horizons and nature on its own terms, this is your place. (Ramsar Sites Information Service)