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Nelson Lakes National Park

National park in New Zealand

Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Nelson Lakes National Park is in the Nelson Tasman region of New Zealand.

Where to eat, drink and stay

Eat1 place

Alpine Lodge
is the only restaurant in St Arnaud.
Website
alpinelodge.co.nz

Sleep9 places

Lodging

Nelson Lakes Motels
Address
Main Rd
Phone
+64 3 521-1887
Website
nelsonlakes.co.nz
Tophouse Historic Hotelrooms 140-180NZ$; campervan sites 30-35NZ$
Located a few minutes from St Arnaud towards Nelson, the inn was built in 1887 and is is a listed historic place. B&B, cabins, campervan parking. Restaurant on site.
Price
rooms 140-180NZ$; campervan sites 30-35NZ$
Phone
+64 21 071 2363
Website
tophouse.kiwi
Travers Sabine lodge
Website
nelsonlakes.co.nz
Alpine Lodge
Wide range of accommodation, from backpacker lodge to private apartments. Attached restaurant and bar.
Address
75 Main Road St, Arnaud
Phone
+64 3 521 1869
Website
alpinelodge.co.nz

Camping

Kerr Bay Campsite
DOC campground on the shore of Lake Rotoiti. Powered, unpowered and tent sites. Toilets, showers and a cooking block (gas stoves). May be booked out over the summer Christmas/New Year period.
Address
Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti

Show all 9

Camping

West Bay Campground
Second DOC campground at Lake Rotoiti, on the West Bay a few minutes from St Arnaud. Only open in summer.
Address
Mount Robert Road
Lake Rotoroa campsite
DOC campground on the shore of Lake Rotoroa.
Address
Porika Rd
Angelus Hut Campsite
One of the back-country camping areas in the park. No facilities.

Backcountry

Stay in a Hut
DOC hut information and access to booking system.
Website
doc.govt.nz

Shop1 place

St Arnaud Alpine Village Store
Essentials such as groceries, fuel, beer and some frivolities such as possum-wool socks. Mountain bike hire.
Hours
Daily 08:00-18:00, takeaways Fri-Sat 16:30-20:00
Address
Main Rd

Getting there and around

Getting there

The main access point is the small township of St Arnaud, situated at the northern end of Lake Rotoiti on State Highway 63, about 1.5 hours from Blenheim and Nelson, and 2 hours from Wesport and Picton.

Read in the guide

Getting around

The primary mode of transportation within the park is on foot. Trails range in length from a few minutes to a week or more.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Nelson Airport

Nelson · Regional · NSN

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Read before you go to Nelson Lakes National Park

Articles and travel topics about Nelson Lakes National Park and New Zealand.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandThis is a pristine landscape of greywacke mountains fringed by the sweet smelling (quite literally - the native trees exude a sugary sap that acts as the primary food source for a long and esoteric food chain) native…

Get inThe main access point is the small township of St Arnaud, situated at the northern end of Lake Rotoiti on State Highway 63, about 1.5 hours from Blenheim and Nelson, and 2 hours from Wesport and Picton.

Fees and permitsNone of New Zealand's National Parks charge for general admission. Huts in the National park charge standard fees for accommodation.

Get aroundThe primary mode of transportation within the park is on foot. Trails range in length from a few minutes to a week or more.

DoTramping (hiking, trekking) is the main activity in the park. Hunting and fishing are permitted in the park but heavily regulated; contact the DOC for details.

Eat

SleepThe Department of Conservation manages a network of about 20 huts, and also campsites, for hikers throughout the park. The most popular (Angelus, Bushline) require advance booking through the DOC web site.

Stay safeHikers need to be prepared for natural hazards, including flooded rivers and winter weather conditions throughout the park. Particularly at higher elevations, snow and ice can be encountered at any time of the year.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Nelson Lakes National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Nelson Lakes National Park", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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