Six Top Road Trips in Marlborough & Nelson

This stunningly beautiful part of New Zealand has much to offer. From the picturesque and vibrant whale watch capital Kaikōura in the south,to the sweeping sands of Golden Bay and the emerald jewel that is Kahurangi National Park in the north, this is definitely a journey not to be rushed. Marlborough Sounds’shimmering coves are picture perfect and there are plenty of opportunities to get into nature there. For gastronomers, this region has many gems: green-shell mussels in Havelock, fresh fish in Nelson and the vineyards of Blenheim and Nelson have many internationally sought-after labels.Craft, culture and history lovers won’t be disappointed spending time here, either.

TOP IMAGE: Flight over Abel Tasman National Park © Scenic Helicopters

Pelorus River © Destination Marlborough

6 Marlborough & Nelson Road Trips

See Map below

TRIP 1: Blenheim to Kaikōura via SH 1, 1hr 50min, 128km

TRIP 2: Blenheim to Havelock via Picton and SH 1 1hr 11min, 61.5km (side trips to Wairau Valley and Marlborough Sounds)

TRIP 3: Havelock to Nelson via SH 6 1hr 2min, 73km

TRIP 4: Nelson to Richmond to Māpua to Motueka via Waimea Rd and SH 6 51min, 52km (side trips to Nelson Lakes National Park & Murchison)

TRIP 5: Motueka to Tākaka via SH 60, 1hr 9min, 59km (side trip to Abel Tasman National Park)

TRIP 6: Tākaka to Collingwood to Farewell Spit via SH 60 45min, 49.2km

Marlborough & Nelson Road Map © AA Traveller 2021

Step from a vast landscape of sea-drowned valleys to shorefront communities drenched in natural beauty, wildlife and history.

Family overlooking Picton © Only Marlborough

For more details on these six road trips, visit https://issuu.com/aatraveller/docs/must-do_s_south_island_2021-2 and turn to page 18.