At the top of the South Island is a region combining the best of north and south. With a convoluted coastline of beaches and bush-fringed coves stretching from the flooded valleys of the Marlborough Sounds to the remote tip of Farewell Spit, maritime experiences and activities rank high on the to-do list of any visitor to this spectacular region, but this is just part of the story. Away from the coast, the hinterland is rich with wineries, art and craft galleries and forest parks for you to explore.

REST & RELAX

Allow your waiter to pour you another glass of the region’s famed Sauvignon Blanc wine and toast to another day in paradise as you relax in the sunshine and enjoy lunch overlooking sprawling vineyards.

LUXURY EXPERIENCE

Drift off into a daydream as you recline on the sun-warmed deck of a luxury charter yacht moored in a quiet bush-lined cove deep in the Marlborough Sounds.

NATURAL EXPERIENCE

Step off the water taxi and feel a brand-new lightness of being as you survey the delightful wilderness resort accommodation that will be your sanctuary for the next few days.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Stop for a flask of tea and a chance to absorb the stunning scenery on a 4WD tour of Molesworth Station in the rugged Awatere Valley; for centuries this was an important travelling route for Maori and European settlers alike.

BUDGET TRAVEL

Pull on your hiking boots and hit the trail as you walk though Nelson’s three very different but equally scenic National Parks – don’t forget to pack your swimsuit if you’re hiking the spectacular Abel Tasman!

ADRENALINE-RUSH

Feel your heart beat a little faster and hurriedly dig out your camera as you watch massive Orca whales surface near your kayak off the coast at Abel Tasman National Park.