Nelson Bays and Lakes 

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With the highest sunshine hours in the country, amazing golden sand beaches and turquoise waters, the Nelson area has a positive, creative attitude to life.  Inspired by this physical beauty, there are more than 350 working artists and crafts people living here.  Each of the national parks in the Nelson region is distinct. Kahurangi is wild and huge, with a heart of solid rock.  Nelson Lakes is elegant, calm and alive with birdsong.  Abel Tasman is small, sea-washed and incredibly beautiful.  Wildlife includes a seal colony in the Tonga Island Marine Reserve where shags (cormorants) perch in the trees and little blue penguins float on the water.  And west of Nelson are vineyards to discover and fascinating beach towns to enjoy in Golden Bay, just a scenic drive over Takaka Hill.

Highlights:

·           Fish, raft or kayak the waters of the Nelson Lakes National Park.

·           Scenic flights over and into three diverse National Parks

·           Visit the amazingly clear waters of Golden Bay’s Pupu Springs

·           Take a 4x4 through the sand dunes at Farewell Spit

·           Visit the World of Wearable Art

·           Explore the stunning coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park