Nelson and Marlborough to the West Coast Itinerary

< Back to NZ Travel Itineraries

Day 1

• Arriving in Picton, drive to Blenheim (30 minutes) and drive or take a tour around the area's vineyards.
• Continue on to Nelson (2 hours) calling at the Suter Art Gallery and stopping to shop at the various arts and crafts outlets.
• Dine and stay overnight in Nelson.

Day 2

• Drive to Marahau (90 minutes), the southern gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.
• Hire a kayak for a self-guided tour. Alternatively, guided nature tours or cruises are offered from here.
• Return to Motueka (20 minutes) to dine and stay overnight.

Day 3

• Explore Motueka before driving to Takaka (1 hour) and visiting the Ngarua Caves en route.
• Relax on the beaches of Golden Bay before returning to Nelson (2 hours).
• Dine and spend the night in Nelson.

Day 4

• Drive to Murchison (2 hours) or St Arnaud (21/2 hours) to raft on the Buller River. Take a tour to the summit of Mount Murchison or ski at the Rainbow Skifield.
• Stay overnight at either centre.

Day 5

• Drive to Westport following the scenic Buller River (2 hours).
• From Westport drive southwards on State Highway 6, stopping at Punakaiki (40 minutes) to see the Pancake Rocks and blowholes.
• Continue southwards to Greymouth (1 hour) and visit some of its attractions, including Monteith's Brewing Co and the Jade Boulder Gallery. Shantytown, an authentic replica 1860s gold rush town, is also worth a visit.
• Dine and stay overnight in Greymouth.

Day 6

• Take any one of numerous guided tours that include horse trekking, eco-rafting, cave rafting, 4WD tours, wildlife tours and fishing.
• Return to stay overnight in Greymouth.

Day 7

• Drive to Lake Brunner (30 minutes), calling at the Moana Kiwi House and Conservation Park.
• Lake tours, pottery and arts and crafts are available from the lakeside.
• Lunch here before continuing on the Stillwater-Jacksons Road, looping back to State Highway 6 and continuing to Hokitika.
• Check out the many craft outlets in Hokitika or visit Westland's Waterworld.
• Stay overnight in Hokitika.

Day 8

• Take a scenic drive to Franz Josef Glacier & a helicopter flight that takes in Mount Cook and Westland National Parks, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and the Main Divide.
• Dine & stay overnight in Franz Josef.

Day 9

• Enjoy a guided walk of the Glaciers, take a guided fishing trip or kayak Lake Mapourika.

Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast accommodation

Location	Property Details
Motueka	Equestrian Lodge Motel Freephone: 0800 668 782 Int. Phone: +64 3 5289369 read more ...
Nelson	Arrow Motel Nelson Freephone: 0800 227 769 Int. Phone: +64 3 5464030 read more ...
Nelson	Carmel Court Motel Freephone: 0800 183 318 Int. Phone: +64 3 5482234 read more ...
Takaka	Anatoki Lodge Motel Freephone: 0800 262 333 Int. Phone: +64 3 5258047 read more ...

Location	Property Details
Blenheim	193 Aorangi Manor Freephone: 0800 507 050 Int. Phone: +64 3 5782022 read more ...
Blenheim	Cherylea Motor Lodge Freephone: 0800 358 835 Int. Phone: +64 3 5786319 read more ...
Picton	AAA Marlin Motel Freephone: 0800 100 784 Int. Phone: +64 3 5736784 read more ...
Picton	Bay Vista Waterfront Motel Freephone: 0800 229 847 Int. Phone: +64 3 5736733 read more ...

Location	Property Details
Franz Josef Glacier	Terrace Motel Freephone: 0800 837 7223 Int. Phone: +64 3 7520130 read more ...
Greymouth	Sundowner Motel Freephone: 0800 080 859 Int. Phone: +64 3 7684666 read more ...
Hokitika	252 Beachside Motels Freephone: 0508 252 252 Int. Phone: +64 3 7558773 read more ...
Reefton	Lantern Court Motel Freephone: 0800 526 837 Int. Phone: +64 3 7328574 read more ...
Westport	Buller Court Motel Freephone: 0800 832 432 Int. Phone: +64 3 7897979 read more ...

< Back to NZ Travel Itineraries