Making the Right Choice

To help with selecting the option(s) you want, I have broken down the tours into categories and given a more in depth overview of my thoughts below.

Cheers Noel

How long have you got?

I have a full day	Nelson in a Day Golden Bay in a Day West Coast Wilderness Wine Nelson Wine Marlborough	Landscape to Seascape  Wild Northwest Alpine Splendour Nelson Lakes Nature Recovery
I have half a day	Richmond Forest Park	Wine Nelson
I have more than a day	Multi-day Tours Custom Tours	West Coast Wilderness

What National Park?

Abel Tasman	Landscape to Seascape
Kahurangi	Wild Northwest	Alpine Splendour
Nelson Lakes	Multi-day Tours Custom Tours	West Coast Wilderness

What is your budget?

Under $200/person	Nelson in a Day Golden Bay in a Day	Richmond Forest Park Wine Nelson (half day)
Over $200/person	Wild Northwest Landscape to Seascape Alpine Splendour West Coast	Nelson Lakes Nature Recovery Wine Nelson Wine Marlborough

What is your interest?

Nelson Lakes	Multi-day Tours Custom Tours
Wine	Wine Nelson	Wine Marlborough
Coast	Landscape to Seascape Wild Northwest	West Coast
Mountains	Alpine Splendour
Nature	Nelson Lakes Nature Recovery
Regional	Nelson in a Day	Golden Bay in a Day

If there is no time constraints on your day and you wish to drive through the the best sights of our region and all its breath taking views including Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks before experiencing a working farm with an active re-vegetation and protection programme, to stroll near birds, aquatic life and maybe seals on a storm ravaged beach with incredible rock and sand formations. Enjoy the best gourmet food at a remote bush cafe before checking out an historic gold mining site set beneath giant Rata trees in Kahurangi National Park then choose Wild Northwest

Abel Tasman National Park maybe the smallest but is the most popular of our national parks. To experience the best forest, the most wildlife, the loveliest golden sand beach, see the highlights of Golden Bay after having enjoyed the breath taking views of Kahurangi National Park and Tasman Bay then book Landscape to Seascape for a full day journey.

If the snow has gone there is no better place to see one of the greatest collections of Alpine plants to be found in one area than the Alpine Splendour of Mt Arthur. Walk over the oldest granite rocks in New Zealand and marvel at the 360 degree views of Tasman Bay, Mt Richmond Forest Park and Kahurangi National Park. Road access itself is a real feature of this journey, followed by a one hour walk on a well benched track to the alpine region through rare and wonderful mountain Nie Nie and other colourful sub-alpine forest.

If you prefer to depart and return in daylight (5pm.) yet see the iconic sights of Golden Bay such as the amazing Pupu Springs, Abel Tasman memorial, the weird and wonderful limestone outcrops, Nikau Palms and Rata of the Grove Reserve with lunch on the golden sands of Tata Beach then Golden Bay in a Day is the journey for you.

Nelson Lakes Nature Recovery at Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park is the perfect place to see conservation in action and the results of an intensive pest trapping and eradication programme. You will experience the vivid birdsong and the rejuvenated understory of pre-european times now back to a condition that has allowed the re-introduction of kiwi & kaka. On route you will see significant historical sights and go on a short walk through a honey dew forest and an old rail tunnel.

To gain a quick appreciation of what makes this area so attractive to live and play in then Nelson in a Day takes you on a drive past historic precincts and view points overlooking the city, through the rich fruit and wine producing areas to the incredible Riwaka Resurgence the natural drain hole of Marble mountain then on to Marahau, the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. At picturesque Split Apple Rock beach you will enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch on the sheltered golden sand before exploring the coastal regions on the return to Nelson.

If time is short and only a half day journey is suitable, but you would like to explore a mixed beech/podocarp forest with probable sightings of native birds then book Richmond Forest Park. This is only a short scenic drive from Nelson before entering this wonderful rainforest to wander just as far as time permits.

The West Coast is really a place to linger. Although in one long day from Nelson it is possible to travel the Buller Gorge to the famed Punakaiki Rocks and return.

However, to gain the most from the West Coast allow me to plan your journey for the number of days you have available from one day to seven days. To travel what The Lonely Planet Guide describes as one of the top ten highways in the world is a must, but to fully explore the many hidden gems off the highway is a mind blowing experience. No matter whether your special interest might be mountains, wild beaches, strange rock formations, magnificent forest, glaciers, wildlife, caves or historic sights & villages there is plenty of opportunities to explore.

If like me, you have an interest or even a passion for wine , allow me to share my knowledge with you on either a half or full day Nelson Wine Exposed. For those Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc fans Marlborough Wine Exposed
is a full day journey that takes a circular route to the region that made New Zealand wine famous throughout the world. From tasting among the vines, on high vantage points over looking vineyards or wandering amongst historic winery sights or wine and food matching with wine makers this is a day where you visit the very best of the best family owned boutique Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir wineries in Marlborough.