Visit Nelson Lakes National Park for
Great Views and Fantastic Outdoor Activities

While the perfect New Zealand trip often involves a lot of time enjoying coastal scenery, a trip to mountainous areas like the Southern Alps is not to be missed. At the northern end of the Southern Alps is Nelson Lakes National Park, the perfect spot for a South Island alpine adventure. With a variety of activities available for every traveler’s taste, it’s a must-see destination.

Start your journey in Saint Arnaud. There you can find a Visitor’s Center, operated by the DOC, chock full of all the latest information on the park. Here you can find information about activities and places to stay — such as the Alpine Chalet or the Alpine Lodge — as well as maps. Reaching Saint Arnaud is easy. It is about a 1-2 hour drive from the nearest cities of Nelson and Blenheim and there is also a shuttle service from other locations in the South Island.

From St Arnaud you can jump right in. At the heart of Nelson Lakes National Park are two lakes: Lake Rotoiti and Rotoroa. After a trip through the South Island’s beaches and shorelines, the alpine environment is very refreshing. The mountains surrounding the lakes are breathtaking and the sight of mountain ridge reflected in the still water first thing in the morning is one not to be soon forgotten.

While the views of Nelson Lakes National Park are great in their own right, most people come to enjoy outdoor activities. The lakes are very popular for boating and fishing and a series of hiking trails provides ample opportunities for trekkers. The 80 kilometer Sabine Circuit is a big draw for those who enjoy a challenging hike, but there are shorter day trips for more modest walkers as well.

This area doesn’t shut down in the winter. Mount Robert is the site of a snow field, and you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding or just hunkering down with a hot chocolate at the Alpine Chalet. The Alpine Lodge and Chalet are open in the summer as well, and there are many hotels and campgrounds in the area. Additionally, huts along the trails provide accommodation for trekkers.

Whether you’re hiking the Sabine trail or just passing through as you cross the island on your New Zealand vacation, Nelson Lakes National Park is a great place to find both fun and excitement as well as great scenery. Exploring the lakes by water taxi, a horseback ride around the shore, or on foot, Nelson Lakes National Park is one of the South Island’s true delights.