Useful Travel Information
Travel
New Zealand Tourism Guide
This is a great link site full of sites to help you plan your trip.
www.tourism.net
Tourism NZ
Learn about the diversity of what New Zealand has to offer and how your visit can become a fantastic experience with this comprehensive guide. Create your online travel planner in no time at all and then make direct contact with the individual tourism operators concerned.
www.newzealand.com/travel
Travel Directory
Comprehensive directory for travel related web sites. Destination guides, travel news and travelogues. Book cheap airfares, discount hotels and car hire.
www.itravelnet.com
Driving in New Zealand
There are a few things you should know about driving in New Zealand. Like driving on the wrong side of the road!! See the governments website on the subject.
www.landtransport.govt.nz/overseasdrivers/driving-in-nz
For Driving conditions check out www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic-and-travel-information/
Sea Limousines
Private Boat Charters and Family Cruises from Kaiteriteri – gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park Sea Limousines is a small charter boat business run by the Everett Family.
www.sealimousines.com
Globester : Airline Consolidator
Globester is a leading global online travel services company specializing in negotiated / discounted flights, air plane tickets cheapest airfares to Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Australia. Globester provides secure online reservation capabilities for airline tickets.
www.Globester.com
On the Road
AA NZ
The free and independent traveler in you will thank AA for solving all the practical issues you might face when roaming the landscape. From maps to road warnings, roadside breakdown assistance for members and online directories, your journey will be a carefree affair.
www.aatravel.co.nz
Accommodation
Marahau Beach Camp
Set in well established, peaceful surroundings just a few steps away from the gorgeous Marahau Beach, Marahau Beach Camp offers all amenities including tent sites, van park, cabins, backpackers, BBQ's, kitchen, washing machines and dryers, TV lounge, playground, internet & wifi. Water taxis and kayaking depart from the gate and all bookings for your Abel Tasman experience can be made through the Abel Tasman Centre, including DOC passes. Hire equipment available and a well-stocked supplies shop and restaurant on site.
www.abeltasmancentre.co.nz
Waikawa Bay Holiday Park and Park Motels
Waikawa Bay Holiday Park and Park Motels, the only holiday park in Picton with views of the bay. Set in tranquil surrounds only five minutes from the ferry terminal this makes us your ideal inter-islander ferry stop over, or alternatively your base to explore the Marlborough sounds for a few days or weeks.
www.waikawabayholidaypark.co.nz
Blenheim TOP 10 Holiday Park
They are 25 minutes from the Picton to Wellington ferry terminal and the Marlborough Sounds which offer great boating, fishing, walking tracks and other activities that will make your stay in our region a highlight of your holiday.
www.blenheimtop10.co.nz
Pohara Beach Top 10
A holiday park for everyone on the safe, sandy beach of Pohara, Golden Bay, at the top of New Zealand's South Island. Come and enjoy our five hectares of attractive beachfront accommodation set amongst mature shelter trees. Choose from Campsites , Standard Cabins, Kitchen Cabins, Ensuite, Self-Contained and 2 Bedroom Motels We have a bed for every budget. A convenient location has a local shop and four fine eating establishments within easy walking distance.
www.poharabeach.com
Tapawera Settle
Tapawera Settle is a friendly family run campground situated in Tapawera village with its supermarket, garage, café, restaurant and pub. An ideal base for: Kahurangi National Park Wangapeka Track, Mount Arthur Track and the Tablelands Leslie Karamea Track and Mount Owen Track
www.settle.co.nz
Murchison Motorhome Park
This is a new park, bordering the Buller River. Located 8 kilometres north of Murchison on State Highway 6. Beautiful farm-like setting on 1.5 km of Buller River frontage. Come & enjoy swimming, rafting, kayaking, bike trails & fishing right on your doorstep!! TV Lounge, BBQ, powered & unpowered sites, Logfire and central/Underfloor heating.
www.murchisonmotorhomepark.co.nz
Tourism NZ
You are a freedom traveler now and part of the pleasure of this is choosing where to stay. Do you want a room with a view or a campsite for your motorhome?
www.newzealand.com/travel/accommodation
Cable Bay Holiday Park
Discover Cable Bay Holiday Park's idyllic coastal environment, situated on the historic Cable Station site.
www.cablebayfarm.co.nz
Helme Orchard Estate
A little paradise located on the rural coastal peninsula at Kina, Nelson Region, New Zealand boasting a tree-sheltered beach offering swimming, water skiing, and picnic areas, a few minutes from Motueka.
www.helmeholiday.co.nz
Eating Out
Eat out
Put down the tongs and go out to dinner! And while you’re at it, narrow down your culinary search with this online guide to New Zealand restaurants – complete with menus, photos and location maps.
www.menus.co.nz/restaurants/nelson/
What to Do
What to do
Dolphin Watch Ecotours
Owned and operated by New Zealanders, this award-winning company provides scenic wildlife cruises and guided or independent walks at Historic Ship Cove or Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary in New Zealand’s stunning Marlborough Sounds.
www.naturetours.co.nz
The Owen River Tavern
The Owen River Tavern - Rest and Recreation Centre is a family business owned and operated by John and Kim Siu. It's located in the small settlement of Owen River on State Highway 6 about 18 kilometres northeast of Murchison and 115 kilometres southwest from Nelson.
www.owenrivertavern.co.nz
Tourism NZ
Whether you want to leap out of your comfort zone or slide into a blissful state of tranquillity, New Zealand promises to keep life interesting with much to do, both indoors and out in the great wide open.
www.newzealand.com/travel/sights-activities
NZ Live
Connect with New Zealand’s cultural pulse and tell the folks back home all about it. From art, performance, music and film to festivals, heritage, sport, recreation and more, there’s a postcard in every event!
www.nzlive.com
Sea Kayaking Abel Tasman
Kayaking the Abel Tasman is a 'must do' whether you are a visitor to our shores, or a Kiwi who just hasn't got around to it yet.
www.seakayaknz.co.nz
Catamaran Sailing & Launch Charters
Charter vessels in Abel Tasman National Park, D'Urville Island, and the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand
www.sailingcharters.co.nz
The Centre for Fine Woodworking
The Centre for Fine Woodworking is a charitable educational trust with the principal aim of offering high quality tuition in fine woodworking. Visitors are welcome by arrangement.
www.centre-for-fine-woodworking.co.nz
High Places
New Zealand Walking Holidays, including a 26 Day New Zealand Contrasts walking holiday.
www.highplaces.co.nz
Weather, Currency & Visas
Metservice
OK, it’s not always sunny in New Zealand. Take the guesswork out of the weather with the latest in local and national weather, as well as updates on marine forecasts, mountain and ski field reports and more.
www.metservice.co.nz
METVUW
Seven day rain and wind forecasts from James MacGregor at Victoria University Wellington can be helpful for planning.
www.metvuw.com/forecast/
Currency
Currency Converter
Global currency at your fingertips - find out the latest conversion rates in seconds.
XE
Visas
Immigration NZ
New Zealand welcomes all visitors to its shores. Some people will need a visa to enter and some won't. If you are not from a visa-free country, you will need to apply for a visitor visa before you arrive.
www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit
Selected Destinations
Classic Fighters Omaka
The show is held over the three-day Easter weekend. Friday is an official Practice Day, which includes the Marlborough Lines Twilight Extreme of sunset flying, concert and spectacular fireworks.
Wild Foods Festival
WILDFOODS FESTIVAL is held March - put it in your diary NOW!!
Ellerslie International Flower Show
Held annually in Christchurch in February - March.
"We hired a motorhome for 8 days from the 3rd April having had difficulty finding any suitable options because it was out of season and we were able to secure a 6 berth for three of us and we drove via Blenheim to Kaikoura to kayak and whale watch before setting off across to Hanmer Springs for a day relaxing in beautiful sunshine before venturing across the Lewis Pass to Reefton and then Pancake rocks on the west coat.
We then headed north staying over night on route before staying two nights at Abel Tasman National Park taking two boat trips up the coast and hiking along the coastal paths amongst terrific scenery, beaches, bays and bush before returning to Nelson.
Hamish was really helpful prior to and after our trip particularly in catering for our tight timetable and recommended stopovers and our sat nav was invaluable. It was helpful to know that we could contact him at any time.
The bedding was great as was the internal equipment. We were kindly dropped off at the Bus Station to catch our inter city bus to Picton. Up until then we had glorious weather and it was joy to travel on uncongested roads.
The van was straightforward to drive despite being 7.5 metres long. Great experience."
John and Jan Loxley
