Summer brings long days across the upper South Island of New Zealand, giving travellers room to explore without being in a hurry. Taking a road trip across the South Island in summer means open coastal roads, pretty villages and towns and many great spots to stop. Nelson, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay link together through short drives that make it easy to enjoy the region at a steady pace. Generally, travellers will start their journey in Nelson, a great first stop with lots of cafes, beaches and places to explore. Next, head out to Abel Tasman where you’ll find stunning beaches, walking tracks and water activities. Finally, Golden Bay completed the loop with endless beaches and village stops. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy these seaside destinations and everything it has to offer.
Route Overview Through Nelson, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay
The best route to explore the top of the South Island of New Zealand generally begins in Nelson. If you want to fly into one of New Zealand’s bigger airports, Christchurch or Wellington are good options to easily get to Nelson and see some beautiful scenery along the way. Once you’re in Nelson, spend a few days enjoying the region and all it has to offer before heading over to Mouteka and the Abel Tasman. These areas are a quick drive from Nelson’s main city centre, making it super easy to get there and explore all in one day. Marahau is the entry point to the Abel Tasman, and you can find easy parking, gear hire spots and water taxi links that make seeing the Abel Tasman up close easy.
Motueka works as a midpoint where stocking up on supermarket supplies, market food, and fuel can be done. Marahau sits further along the coast where people start walks, kayak journeys or boat transfers toward bays. The next area to close off the top of the South Island loop is Golden Bay. The opening to the Golden Bay begins after Takaka Hill, which is a short drive from the Abel Tasman. From here, there are many towns and specific spots you can explore at your own pace.
Nelson Activities for a Warm-Weather Journey
Nelson is a great first stop on your top of the South Island road trip. You’ll find calm driving routes, river paths and a small-town feel that is still buzzing in the summer months. Nelson has delicious food spots, cafes, markets, rivers and beaches to enjoy that make stopping here an enjoyable time. We recommend spending a few days here to be able to see everything at a calm pace without feeling rushed. While Nelson is a small town, some of the best spots take a small drive, so having a rental car makes it easy to get the most out of your time in Nelson.
Nelson Walks, Beaches and River Spots
Nelson offers multiple river paths, hill tracks and coastlines to explore. A walk beside the Maitai River is a great way to explore the town and enjoy riverside picnics and swim spots. You can also find the famous Centre of New Zealand in Nelson, which is a short uphill walk that leads to a beautiful view of the town and surrounding areas. Another great way to see the town and enjoy a summer day hike is to take a trip up the Grampians Reserve. If you’re looking for a day by the water, some of Nelson’s best swim spots include Tahunanui Beach, Mapua, Cable Bay and the Lee River.
Food Stops, Markets and Local Produce
Nelson holds weekly market stalls and is known for its famous Saturday market. Here you’ll find a range of local produce and food trucks as well as craft and souvenir stores. The Nelson market is a must-do if you’re visiting on the weekend and a great way to enjoy local food and art. You can also find a large range of delicious cafes, great coffee and fun bars and restaurants in Nelson. The top of Trafalgar Street is vibrant in the summertime with lots of great food and drink options.
Cycling Circuits Around the City
Cycling around Nelson is a great way to take in the city whilst also having a fun day out. There are plenty of cycle tracks that loop around the city, from flat trails to outer city routes that reach vineyards, galleries and small neighbourhoods. Riders often start near the Maitai and from here can access many other routes. Groups wanting a larger day out can continue towards Stoke, Richmond and even into Mapua.
Exploring the Around Abel Tasman
The next stop on your top of the South Island road trip is Abel Tasman. Drive out of Nelson, through to Motueka and then into Marahau or Kaiteriteri. Many visitors begin near Marahau with the main Abel Tasman walking tracks starting here, with plenty of car parking options and water taxi links. The great thing about exploring the Abel Tasman is that you can tailor it to your preferences. Whether you’re staying in a nearby town and going for day drips or looking to day a multi-day hike or the full Abel Tasman track, there are plenty of options to suit your travel style.
Short Abel Tasman Routes for Day Travel
Walkers often start from Marahau, where stunning Abel Tasman routes take you through beach forest, swing bridges, golden sand beaches and viewpoints. Depending on how long you want to be walking for, you can begin in Marahau and head to Coquille Bay, Apple Tree Bay or even Anchorage, Torrent Bay and Bark Bay. If you’ve taken one of the longer walks in and don’t feel like walking back, you can also plan a water taxi to take you home, allowing you to enjoy the hike and beach at your own pace.
Kayak Routes and Trips in the Abel Tasman
Kayaking is a great way to explore the Abel Tasman and get a unique view of the national park and beaches. Paddlers gather near Marahau where groups launch during the morning and head out for the day. You can choose to rent out a private kayak or go on a kayaking tour that takes you through unique spots. If you’re lucky, you may even get close to some seals and dolphins. Kayaking the Abel Tasman is the perfect way to see unique spots that you wouldn’t see walking, such as small beach inlets, islands and wildlife.
Water Taxi Links and Beach Access Points
Water Taxis and boat trips are another way to see the Abel Tasman, which makes it easy to get around and enjoy spots you might not be able to reach by foot in a short time period. Boat users board near Marahau or Kaiteriteri, where operators run set paths toward Torrent Bay, Bark Bay, Onetahuti and more. The group water taxis and boat tours mean you can get on and off at different points in the National Park and explore a large range of beaches in a small time frame. You can even hire our private boat tours and catamarans for luxurious boat days with lunch and drinks provided, and time to stop off and swim right off the boat.
Golden Bay Experiences
Once you’ve taken in the Abel Tasman, head over the hill to the stunning Golden Bay region. The drive through the Golden Bay region is a stunning part of the trip and takes you through farmland, rivers, and headlands before arriving at Takaka township, a vibrant village with a unique beachy and artsy feel. People often pause here for lunch, supplies, and to stroll through the shops. From here, the options to explore different parts of the Golden Bay region feel endless. Whether you head East to the golden sand beaches that connect up to the end of the Abel Tasman or West and North to Collingwood and the more rugged beaches, there are so many places to explore.
Golden Bay Village Stops, Art Spaces and Nearby Bays
Takaka is a unique town that has a large community of artists, makers, food crews and music groups who welcome travellers moving through town. People walk between studios, markets and cafés where people are always up for a chat. From here, Tata Beach and Ligar Bay are a fairly short drive away. These beaches are some of Golden Bay’s best and make for great places to stop for a few nights and just enjoy a relaxing time at the beach.
Golden Bay Walking Routes Toward Wharariki and Cape Areas
After exploring the East of Golden Bay, travellers often head over to Wharariki and toward Collingwood. The Wharaiki Beach walk is one that you shouldn't miss when exploring this part of the country. The trail takes you through paddocks and farm land through to an often wild and windy but absolutely stunning beach with unique rock arches and tidal pools full of seals. Many people often combine this route by heading through to Cape Farewell to take in more of the rugged Golden Bay coastline.
Golden Bay Wildlife Moments and Tidal Zones
Golden Bay is home to some exciting wildlife in New Zealand. You will often catch herons, stilts, oyster catchers and even gannets along the coastline that leads into Collingwood. You’re also likely to catch some seals, especially if you head towards Wharariki and Farewell Spit. If you take a day out on the boat towards Tata and Totaraunui, you might be lucky enough to also catch some dolphins swimming in the water.
Suggested Multi-Day Plan for the Top of the South Island
If you want enough time to take in each of the main towns and have relaxing days at the beach, six to nine days is the perfect time to travel around the top of the South Island in summer. Days one to three can be spent exploring Nelson and its surrounding areas, with enough time to eat, drink, see the town centre and enjoy its rivers and beaches. From here, head over to the Abel Tasman, where 2-3 days is a good amount of time to walk the tracks, take a boat trip and have a lazy day at the beach. You can tailor your time in the Abel Tasman to centre around what walks you want to do and how long they’ll take. Then head over to Golden Bay for another 2-4 days, giving you enough time to see each side of the area, or just stay in one part for the whole time, with day trips to different parts.
Get on the Road & Explore the Top of the South Island
Using a rental car and going on a road trip is the best way to explore this region. As Nelson, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay are the perfect distances apart for a self-drive journey, not too far that you spend the whole time driving, but long enough that it's more relaxing and enjoyable to drive yourself than rely on public transport and set tour timeframes. Pick up your rental car from Christchurch or Wellington and head on over to Nelson to begin the trip of a lifetime. The top of the South Island has plenty of open parking options and accommodation to stay along the way, which makes exploring this area on a road trip the perfect way to travel. Whether you’re a big group needing a rental van or looking for an easy and reliable compact car option, you can find the car to suit your trip at Mode Rentals. The summer months can mean these areas can be busy, so book your car, map out your journey and start planning the perfect top of the South Island road trip today.
Top of The South Island FAQs
What is the best way to travel around the South Island?
The best way to travel across the South Island is generally by car. You can easily go long distances at your own pace without complex transfers and relying on set timetables. People set their own timing, pause where needed, carry gear easily and follow routes toward remote areas that you might not otherwise reach. Many visitors choose rental cars for this reason.
Is Nelson worth visiting?
Nelson is definitely worth visiting. Nelson offers river walks, food markets, beautiful beaches and easy access to Abel Tasman or Golden Bay. Travellers enjoy simple movement between each area, giving families, pairs and solo visitors room for relaxed days.
Is Golden Bay, NZ, worth visiting?
Golden Bay is a must-see destination in New Zealand. Golden Bay offers endless beautiful beaches, unique village stops, rivers and rugged coastlines. Travellers often stop in at Wharariki, Collingwood and Tata for walks, wildlife viewing or easy swimming bays.
What is the most beautiful beach in Nelson?
Many visitors choose Tahunanui because of the wide sand, gentle water and easy access. Others prefer Cable Bay for rock pools and clean waters. If you want to explore a bit further out, the Abel Tasman offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the Nelson region.
