nelson

Located at the top of the South Island, Marlborough enjoys high sunshine hours and a temperate climate so that visitors can experience all of Marlborough's diversity through the seasons.   The region if the perfect place to relax and enjoy the finer things in life.   For the eco-tourist and nature-lover, the region provides numerous opportunities to see some of our wildlife close up.

Perhaps it's the sun, maybe its the location, but Nelson and the Tasman region has long been a magnet for creative people.   There are more than 350 working artists and craftspeople living in Nelson - traditional, contemporary and Maori.   Visit their studios and find a unique piece to take home with you.

Walk the sun drenched sands of Golden Bay or head inland to Takaka and see the impossibly clear water of New Zealand's largest freshwater springs.   Walk the Abel Tasman track - it's a three to five day walk - or, for a different view, take a sea kayaking tour around the coast and see a seal colony and little Blue Penguins bobbing in the water.

Or just - relax.   Sit in the sun, sip delicious wine from one of the local vineyards, and dine on the famous Nelson Bay scallops.

Wine and food is a key attraction for visitors to Marlborough, and with more than 195 wineries responsible for 75% of New Zealand's total wine production as well as great restaurants, boutique producers and incredible seafood, it's easy to see why.

No trip to Marlborough would be complete without visiting at least one of the 42 cellar doors to taste award winning wines.   Just as wine tastes better in a glass, it tastes even better in Marlborough !   To accompany your glass, the waters of the Marlborough Sounds grow World class seafood.   And what better food and wine match is there than Sauvignon Blanc and Seafood.

Adventurers young and old will find a great choice of activities on land and on water and even in the air.   Hiking, sea kayaking, sailing, cruising, mountain biking, rafting, scenic flights, fishing, diving, horse trekking, or just - relaxing, and enjoying the views: from laid back to full adrenaline rush, there is an experience waiting for you in Marlborough and Tasman.

Spend a day on the Abel Tasman track or take 5.   It is one of the more easy walks in New Zealand and the single most memorable features of the track are the incredible pristine beaches - their golden sands and the clarity of the water seems to be a perfect definition of Summer in New Zealand.   Expert guides are trained to design each day to suit your needs and interests, taking into account local tidal conditions and weather.   Choose to walk with your Guide or find the time on your own.   Many people combine walking with sea kayaking along this idyllic, and iconic, sheltered coastline to get the best views of the area.

Walk the Queen Charlotte Track.   A 71km track renowned for its stunning views and contrasting landscape, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife.   Visitors to the Track will find this a unique walk as it passes through lush coastal forest, historic bays, and along skyline ridges with unsurpassed views of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.   Noone but You and Nature.   This Track is as much about a walking holiday as it is an environmental, cultural and lifestyle experience.

We can find you an angler's lodge that will take care of you and take care of the fish !   The Murchison and Nelson Lakes region has some of the best Brown Trout in the World.   Stay in stylish surroundings then head out to rivers described as "gin clear", surrounded by rugged mountains and forests.

Get on the water.   We take you cruising, fishing (with maybe a scallop thrown in), or waterskiing.   The plan is yours.   But be assured, the Sounds are full of life so we should see dolphins and seals at play, and you can hop off and enjoy some of the tracks that abound through the remote coves and bays.

Enjoy a gourmet food and wine tour of the region.   We can organize a private vehicle, or if you're feeling so inclined cruise the wineries by bike.   There are great places for lunch, and you can stop to taste local delicacies be it cheese, olive oil or boutique beers.

You dont have to be an aviation enthusiast to visit the Omaka Aviation Centre.   Sir Peter Jackon's private collection of WW1 aircraft and memorabilia is well worth a visit.   Award winning WETA workshop have acreated a dramatic aviation theatre, to bring the human stories from the Great War to life.