Nelson and Tasman

Gateway City, Then Head West

Nelson is a genuinely good city with a couple of seriously worthy food stops. Falafel Gourmet and Salvito's Pizza Bar are next door to each other and both among the best in NZ. But honest truth, most people are here to get further west, and that's fair enough. Just don't blow straight through. Stock up at Connings Food Market near Motueka before you go anywhere remote. Travellers rave about it. The produce is fresh, local, and well priced, and there's easy campervan parking out the back. If you're heading to the West Coast after this, load up here, because pickings get leaner and pricier down that way.

NZ's Smallest, Busiest National Park

Abel Tasman rewards you if you time it right and pick your activity well. December 27th to January 20th is a bit of a circus, honestly. Go either side of that and it's a completely different experience. On the water, earlier is better, and my pick is a guided kayak to the marine reserve, ideally around king tides for access to the best inlets. The Full Park cruise is also solid value in 3.5 hours. The RANKERS promo code gets you a discount on kayaking, boat cruises, and canyoning out of the area, which is a nice win on already good activities. For something quieter, the northern end of the park around Totaranui is where I'd head.

Golden Bay Is the One People Underestimate

Golden Bay requires a deliberate decision to go. It's over the hill and back again, no shortcuts. But nobody I've ever sent there has regretted it. Wharariki Beach alone is worth it: caves, arches, baby seal pups in the rock pools, and an otherworldly feel. Time it for low tide and pick a low-wind day. Te Waikoropupu Springs has some of the clearest freshwater on earth, easily accessible and genuinely special. Takaka township has a hippie character that's entirely its own thing. For camping, Collingwood Holiday Park is my pick, or there's a holiday park right by Wharariki Beach if location is everything. The Farewell Spit tour is unlike anything else in the region and worth booking ahead, especially if you want the Gannet Colony add-on. The RANKERS promo code is handy for sea kayaking around the bay too.

Stop at Pelorus on the Way In

If you're coming from Marlborough, Pelorus Bridge is absolutely worth a stop. The river runs this incredible aqua colour when it hasn't rained. The swing bridge loop is easy and fun, and for a quieter swim, the Totara Flat carpark a little south has a cracking hole with far fewer people around. LOTR fans will know it as the barrels-in-the-river scene.