New Zealand - the 2024 tour - Week 6 and 7 - Nelson and neighbourhood - 3rd March to 18th March

 Nelson 

It's great to travel but its even better to put down roots for 2 whole weeks. No packing up for 14 days -whoopee! And we are staying Nelson.

Nelson has a great deal going for it. It's a pint-sized City that has just about everything and is also great base to explore the surrounding region with is its lovely beaches, lakes and vineyards. We visited some old favourites and found some new ones. Oh, and there are plenty of Pubs, Restaurants and Coffee Houses.

The Vic in Nelson

Tw's on the Ginger Beer

Our new Apartment was just North of Nelson underneath a residential property in Atawhai, a hillside residential suburb. We did not have much of a view from our basement but it was inexpensive and only 5 minutes from town by car.

Atawhai - hilltop view at sundown

Lake Rotoiti

Lake Rotoiti was a must-do for us. It's an interesting drive to St. Arnaud very close to the Lake. We were surprised to find that there's a good lunch spot there. We thought we would be picnicking but found the Rotoiti Alpine Lodge in the village. Nice pizza and cake. The water in the Lake is quite warm in March and could not resist taking a dip. The area is unspoiled. Just a car park with people stopping off to take in the view or go for walks in the bush. 

The Tophouse - closed today - on the way to St.Arnaud

Lake Rotuiti

Cable Bay

Cable Bay

Cable Bay

Cable bay is where the first telegraph cable came ashore. Its just a short drive to the North of Nelson. 

There were problems with the road so our first attempt to get there was aborted. We were told the road would be open at the weekend so we made it at the second attempt. There's a good cafe The Cable Bay Cafe there and some fine walks. The beach is very stony so we didn't venture into the water. Amazing how parched everything is. It's been a very dry Summer. Good for us of course but difficult for the Farming Community.

Centre of New Zealand Lookout

Centre of NZ lookout

Journey to the Centre of New Zealand is a very pleasant walk up to a lookout point above the City. 

Kaiteriteri Beach

Kaiteriteri Beach

Kaiteriteri is a pretty and popular beach about an hour North of Nelson. It's more like a small but busy European resort with the road just behind the beach. On the day we visited the weather suddenly changed as the wind did swerve. It went from Beach weather to hang on to your hat in about half an hour. We sat in a beach cafe and had Fish and Chips. There was a group of German Girls at the next table, adding to the European feel.

Marahau

Our intention was to head further up the coast to Marahau and walk the first section of the Abel Tasman but we were getting blown away. Canoeing is popular in this area and a few groups were caught out by the sudden change of the wind. Fortunately the stiff breeze was on-shore so the canoeist made it to the beach. A very smart fleet of individually named Tractors was on hand to pick up the canoes on trailers. We sheltered in The Sprig Cafe.

Beach Tractors ready for action in Marahau

Marahau Tractor rescue

Marahau

Marahau

Marahau from the Sprig Cafe

Tahunanui Beach

Tahunanui is the main beach area in Nelson, there's plenty of parking and a nice greenspace behind. Its really close to the City so dead easy for the locals to pop down at the end of the day. We visited several times.

 Tahunanui Beach in Nelson

Moutere Inn

The Moutere Inn is a very good country pub in the Moutere Valley. We only stopped for a drink but I would have been quite happy stopping for Dinner and the Quiz Night.

Brooke Waimarama Sanctuary

About 4 miles South of Nelson there is a bird sanctuary. It's fenced off to prevent alien intruders. They are making big efforts in NZ to limit introduced predators such as Rats and Possums in general but particularly in certain areas where they are re-introducing local species. This sanctuary is a bit special.

Quayside Wandering

Its pleasant by the Quay on a sunny day. There are Cafes and Restaurants. We had a good meal at Styx with D & D and coffee at the Boat Shed.

TW on the quayside in Nelson

Down by the quay

On your bike - The Great Taste Trail

Riding bikes is popular in the Nelson Area.The Great Taste Trail is a nice flat easy ride, as far as Brightwater anyway. If I lived in the area it would be my regular exercise run. Importantly Brightwater has a great coffee stop. Headquarters is great for a light lunch as well. 

At Headquarters in Brightwater - coffee time

The wibbly wobbly bridge on the Great Taste bike trail

On your bike - to Rabbit Island

Nelson to Rabbit Island is another flat ride. Its not pretty all the way but the Island Beach is lovely. It was cool today so I didn't go in the water. Just had a paddle. I carried on and took a bike ferry across the inlet to Mapua Wharf and the Smokehouse for lovely Fish and Chips. I did carry on further but picked up a puncture and was rescued by the bike hire man. Bit embarrassing! I should have been able to change the tube but I couldn't get the tyre off the rim. It's an operation I find tricky with wide tyres. 

We drove back to Rabbit Island a few days later and checked out the water. Very pleasant. NZ has so many nice beaches.

Bike to Rabbit Island

Rabbit Island Beach

Croquet in the City Centre.

There is still plenty of greenspace in the City. We played Croquet on the large lawns in the centre of town.

Nelson Market

The Saturday Market was good fun. Lots of different craft and food stalls. I bought myself a hand-made hat to keep the sun at bay.

Vintage Nelson

At the back of the town there are some lovely old properties. We had lunch on the Terrace on our final day at a very smart Melrose House before heading for the Airport.

Melrose House

We found quite a few eateries and places to have a comfortable drink. We were amused by one pub, The Honest Lawyer in Quiet Woman Way, can there be a more unlikely combination?