Itinerary - Nelson and Marlborough to the West Coast

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We've put together a suggested itinerary which takes in the main sightseeing and activities of the region.

Day 1 - Picton - Blenheim - Nelson

• Arriving in Picton, drive to Blenheim (30 minutes) and drive or take a tour around the area's vineyards including Clifford Bay Estate.
• 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.
• Picton travel guide
• Blenheim travel guide
• Nelson travel guide
• Nelson accommodation
• Nelson attractions

Day 2 - Nelson - Marahau - Motueka

• 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.
• Abel Tasman National Park travel guide
• Marahau travel guide
• Motueka travel guide
• Motueka accommodation
• Motueka attractions

Day 3 - Motueka - Takaka - Nelson 

• 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.
• Motueka travel guide
• Takaka travel guide
• Golden Bay travel guide
• Nelson travel guide
• Nelson accommodation
• Nelson attractions

Day 4 - Nelson - Murchison 

• 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.
• Murchison travel guide
• Murchison accommodation
• Murchison attractions
• St Arnaud travel guide
• St Arnaud accommodation
• St Arnaud attractions

Day 5 - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth 

• Drive to Westport following the scenic Buller River (2 hours).  Perhaps take a thrilling jetboat ride with Buller Adventure Tours
• 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.
• Westport travel guide
• Punakaiki travel guide
• Greymouth travel guide
• Greymouth accommodation
• Greymouth attractions

Day 6 - Greymouth 

• Take any one of numerous guided tours that include horse trekking, eco-rafting, cave rafting, 4WD tours, wildlife tours and fishing. Perhaps an off-road adventure with On Yer Bike.
• Return to stay overnight in Greymouth.
• Greymouth travel guide

Day 7 - Greymouth - Lake Brunner - Hokitika 

• 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.
• Lake Brunner travel guide
• Hokitika travel guide

Day 8 - Hokitika - Mount Cook - Franz Josef - Fox Glacier

• Take a scenic flight that takes in Mount Cook and Westland National Parks, the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and the Main Divide.
• Returning to Hokitika, fly out to Nelson for an afternoon of shopping or a tour of the vineyards.
• Mount Cook travel guide
• Fox Glacier travel guide
• Franz Josef travel guide
• West Coast travel guide
• West Coast itinerary - a more in-depth look at the West Coast
  

New Zealand » Nelson Region

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