Nelson & Marlborough Adventures - What to See and Do
Posted on May 21, 2008 under South Island |Paynes Ford
Paynes Ford Scenic Reserve is 4 km south of Takaka in Golden Bay, where Highway 60 crosses the Takaka River. From here, towering limestone cliffs lead up the river. There are many popular, bolted climbing routes on them.
If you don’t have the gear or the inclination for serious climbing but still feel in the mood for a wee adventure, try your hand (and feet) at the traverse problem 100 metres downstream from the bridge. Here the river has cut into the cliffs, leaving a deep pool framed by a grooved, pocked and pitted overhanging cliff face. The traverse to the recessed, stage-like platform is a doddle, but getting beyond there requires consummate skill and a committing right-hand lunge. If you master this move, you’ll find it gets progressively more difficult the further you go. Numerous channels and pocks (some big enough to grovel into and rest) provide entertaining climbing until you finally pump out and peel off, dropping into the cool, reviving river.
Abel Tasman National Park coastal walk
This famous coastal track between Marahau and Wainui Bay attracts tens of thousands of walkers each year. Golden beaches and green native forest, accessible only by boat or foot, make this a pretty amazing place. If you’re keen to check this area out without crashing into people everywhere, go during the calm autumn months rather than summer. Spreading the load of visitors throughout the year also means the Park gets less of a hammering.
Nelson Paragliding
For an exiting one day flying experience or a comprehensive week-long course, contact Cumulus Tandem Paragliding in Nelson. Prices start from $150.
Quinney’s Bush
New Zealand’s most eccentric camping ground is nestled amongst tall trees at Motupiko, about halfway between Nelson and Murchison. Relaxed and ramshackle, Quinney’s Bush is strewn with flying foxes and other dilapidated pieces of industrial-sized playground equipment. A remnant of the 1960s, we rate it as the country’s most adventurous camping ground.
Pelorus Track
The seldom visited Mt Richmond Forest Park is a large bush-clad range, south of Nelson. The most popular tramp in the park starts from Maungatapu road end, 12 km west of Pelorus Bridge on the Blenheim-Nelson Road, and follows the Pelorus River past Roebuck Hut to Totara Saddle (670 m). The track then descends to Hacket picnic area, 30 km drive from Nelson. Another track climbs to the Bryant Range from Midday Hut and descends to Brook Street in Nelson city.
Maungatapu Track
This popular mountain bike trip also starts at the end of Maungatapu Road. An adventurous cycle touring short cut, it crosses the Bryant Range before descending a fast pylon track to Nelson. For more information ask at the local DOC office.
Pelorus River
Turn west off Highway 6 at Pelorus Bridge and drive up Maungatapu Road for 8 km to the Tinline River tributary. The frequently run section is from here down to Pelorus Bridge. There are a number of grade II rapids which rise to grade III after rain.
Many of the people who jump off the Pelorus Bridge do not suffer serious injury. However, we recommend you give this 16 metre fall a miss and satisfy your suicidal tendencies with slightly smaller jumps.
Wakamarina River
The Wakamarina River flows under Highway 6 (the Nelson-Blenheim road) at Canvastown, 10 km west of Havelock. Whakamarina Road takes you 15 km upstream to a DOC camping ground at the road end. From here there are many tight grade III rapids, including some difficult drops and chutes. The hardest one, Tinopener, is about halfway down from the road end, under a footbridge. Keep an eye out for gold claims as you spin and swirl along. This is a great trip for experienced tubers.
Kayaking from Picton to Ship Cove
From Picton paddle across Queen Charlotte Sound to a lovely camp site hidden in the bush at Kumutoto Bay. By the end of the day you should be quite proficient at cutting through, or surfing with, the bow waves of fishing boats and ferries.
Blumine Island, further along Queen Charlotte Sound, is your next destination. It’s a deserted island that only kayakers seem to know about and has an excellent camp site in the large, unnamed western-facing bay. There are some well hidden WWII gun emplacements on the north side of the island that were manned by American soldiers over 50 years ago.
The next day head over to Ship Cove via Motuara Island. The whole of Motuara Island is a bird sanctuary. The wide variety of inhabitants are incredibly tame. Little blue penguins keep an eye on you as you pass only a metre or two away. It’s only a short paddle across to Ship Cove, from where the water taxi can take you and your trusty kayak back to Picton. If you wish to stay in Picton for the weekend, The Waterfront Apartments is highly recommended.
Nelson Lakes Tramping
Nelson Lakes National Park is a marvellous place for trampers of all abilities. An excellent 6 day trip for intermediate trampers heads up the Travers Valley, over Travers Saddle and down the Sabine Valley, to Sabine Hut at the head of Lake Rotoroa (4 days). From Sabine Hut, head out to St Arnaud via the Speargrass Track (2 days). Alternatively, if your party is fit, and the weather looks fine, you can climb over Mt Cedric to Angelus Hut and out via Robert Ridge, or Travers Valley, the next day.
In winter, crampons, ice axes, and a wary eye for avalanches are essential for a safe trip. During summer, wasps can be a serious problem so you should carry medication for stings, such as antihistamine pills. There are plenty of shorter trips to do as well - for more information ask at the DOC visitors centre in St Arnaud.
For more information about other tramping spots in New Zealand, check out the NZ Tramping blog.
Dolphin and Seal Swimming
This is an exciting way to discover these graceful creatures in their natural environment. After being taken out in a small boat, and decked out in a wetsuit, mask and snorkel, jump in the sea and have an exhilarating one-on-one with the dolphins or seals. Book through the Kaikoura Information Centre on the beach front. It costs $35 for seal swimming, and $75 for dolphin swimming.
So enjoy what Marlborough & Nelson in the South island has to offer. Conveniently stay at Nelson accommodation and Marlborough accommodation so you can be close to all the adventure action!