Land Transport

Getting Around Is Half the Fun Here

The Nelson region is genuinely one of the better places in NZ to be in a campervan. Everything of interest - Abel Tasman, Golden Bay, Pelorus Bridge - sits along a logical westward arc from Nelson city. You don't need to backtrack much, and the drives get progressively more scenic the further you head from town. The one exception is Golden Bay, which is a there-and-back over Takaka Hill, but honestly, that drive is good enough to do twice.

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Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle

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The Takaka Hill Is the Thing to Plan Around

The road over to Golden Bay is the main logistical consideration. It's winding, takes longer than you'd expect, and if you're in a bigger rig, some of the side roads (like Canaan Road to Harwood's Hole) require a bit of care on the gravel. If you need a shuttle or coach connection rather than your own wheels, Abel Tasman Coachlines covers the Nelson to Motueka corridor well enough, and there are shuttle options for getting to trailheads in the Kahurangi area too. For the Abel Tasman park itself, a sea shuttle is often a smarter move than driving to every access point - use promo code RANKERS to save 10% on that.

If you're hiring a campervan out of Nelson rather than bringing your own, there are a handful of local operators worth a look. Travel NZ Motorhomes is the most reviewed of the bunch and is family-owned, which tends to mean you're talking to the actual people, not a call centre. Stock up well in Motueka before heading anywhere remote - Golden Bay and the West Coast both have fewer and pricier options once you're in deep.