Picton to Nelson, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay by Campervan
Quick summary: The top of the South Island is sunshine country for a campervan or motorhome trip: golden beaches, turquoise bays, artistic towns and some of the most relaxed travelling in New Zealand. From Picton the road winds past the Marlborough Sounds to the arts-and-crafts city of Nelson, around 110 km, then on to Kaiteriteri and the Abel Tasman National Park, and over Tākaka Hill to the remote, bohemian world of Golden Bay. Give it at least four days.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Picton to Nelson, the Abel Tasman and Golden Bay |
| Distance | Around 110 km Picton to Nelson; around 60 km Nelson to Kaiteriteri; around 110 km Nelson to Tākaka |
| Pure driving time | Around 1 hr 45 min to Nelson; around 2 hr from Nelson to Tākaka |
| Recommended time | 4–6 days |
| Road character | Sealed; winding through hills, with a steep, twisting climb over Tākaka Hill |
| Key stops | Havelock, Pelorus Bridge, Nelson, Māpua, Motueka, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, Tākaka, Te Waikoropupū Springs, Collingwood |
| Overnight options | Holiday parks throughout, DOC campsites at Pelorus Bridge and in Golden Bay, beachside campgrounds |
| Nearest pickup city | Christchurch or Wellington via the ferry |
| Best for | Beaches, sea kayaking, coastal walking, arts and food |
Why is the top of the South so good for a campervan trip?
Because it feels like a holiday within a holiday. The Nelson Tasman region is one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand, with a mild climate, sheltered golden beaches and a laid-back pace. Distances are short, campsites sit right beside the sand, and the region is full of artists, growers, brewers and winemakers.
At its heart is Abel Tasman National Park, a coastline of granite headlands, clear water and golden bays, best explored by kayak, boat or on foot. Beyond it, over the marble mountain of Tākaka Hill, Golden Bay is a world apart: quiet, alternative, and home to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful wild beaches and the extraordinary clarity of Te Waikoropupū Springs.
What are the best stops between Picton and Golden Bay?
| Stop | Distance from Picton | Time to allow | Campervan notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havelock | Around 35 km via Queen Charlotte Drive | 1 hour | Green-lipped mussel capital; mail boat departures |
| Pelorus Bridge | Around 55 km | 1 hour | River swimming hole, forest walks, DOC campsite |
| Nelson | Around 110 km | 1–2 days | Arts, markets, beaches, full services |
| Māpua | Around 140 km | 1–2 hours | Waterfront wharf with cafés and galleries |
| Motueka | Around 155 km | 30 min | Gateway town with supermarkets and fuel |
| Kaiteriteri | Around 170 km | 1–2 days | Golden beach; boats into Abel Tasman |
| Marahau | Around 175 km | 1–2 days | Southern entrance to the Abel Tasman track |
| Tākaka Hill | Around 185–205 km | 30 min | Lookouts and marble country |
| Tākaka | Around 220 km | Half a day | Golden Bay’s bohemian main town |
| Te Waikoropupū Springs | Around 225 km | 1 hour | Some of the clearest fresh water in the world |
| Collingwood | Around 245 km | Overnight | Small town near Farewell Spit and Wharariki Beach |
Havelock and Pelorus Bridge
Havelock, at the head of Pelorus Sound, is the green-lipped mussel capital of the world, and its restaurants serve them every way imaginable. Pelorus Bridge, a short drive west, is a beautiful scenic reserve with river swimming holes beneath the bridge, short forest walks and a DOC campsite in the trees.
Nelson
Nelson is a sunny, creative city with a thriving arts scene, galleries, craft breweries and a big weekly market. Walk up to the Centre of New Zealand monument for views over the city and Tasman Bay, relax on Tāhunanui Beach, or explore the heritage of Founders Heritage Park. The Great Taste Trail cycleway links Nelson with Māpua, Motueka and the wine and craft beer country in between.
Māpua and Motueka
Māpua’s waterfront wharf has cafés, galleries and a smokehouse, and a little ferry crosses to Rabbit Island’s long beach. Motueka is the gateway to the Abel Tasman and the place to stock up before heading on.
Kaiteriteri and Marahau
Kaiteriteri has one of the most famous beaches in New Zealand, a curve of golden sand and clear water, and it is the main departure point for boats into Abel Tasman National Park. Marahau, a few minutes further on, is the southern entrance to the Abel Tasman Coast Track and the base for kayak trips.
Tākaka Hill
The road to Golden Bay climbs over Tākaka Hill, a marble mountain riddled with caves and sinkholes. The climb is long and twisting, with lookouts over Tasman Bay on the way up and Golden Bay on the way down. Ngarua Caves, near the summit, offers guided cave tours.
Golden Bay
Tākaka is Golden Bay’s colourful main town, full of cafés, galleries and craft stores. Nearby, Te Waikoropupū Springs is one of the clearest bodies of fresh water ever measured, a sacred site for Māori, with a short walk to viewing platforms over the shimmering, bubbling spring. Further west, Collingwood leads to Farewell Spit, a vast sandspit reached only by guided tour, and to the walk over farmland and dunes to Wharariki Beach, with its rock arches, caves and seal pups in the rock pools.
What tours and experiences are available along this route?
- Sea kayaking in the Abel Tasman. Guided kayak trips from Marahau and Kaiteriteri paddle along the golden coastline, past seal colonies and into sheltered lagoons. Freedom kayak hire is available for experienced paddlers.
- Water taxis and boat cruises in the Abel Tasman. Water taxis drop walkers at bays along the Coast Track, letting you walk a section back, while scenic cruises visit Split Apple Rock and the seal colony at Tonga Island.
- Walking the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, in day sections or overnight.
- Farewell Spit tours from Collingwood, the only way to visit the spit and its lighthouse.
- The Pelorus Mail Boat from Havelock, delivering mail to remote homes in the Sounds.
- Wine, craft beer and food tours around Nelson, Māpua and Motueka.
- Cycling the Great Taste Trail, with bike hire and shuttles in Nelson and Māpua.
- Cave tours on Tākaka Hill.
Where can you stay overnight on this route?
- Holiday parks in Nelson, Māpua, Motueka, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, Tākaka and Collingwood, many beside the beach.
- DOC campsites at Pelorus Bridge and in Golden Bay, in forest and beachside settings.
- Beachside campgrounds in Golden Bay, some among the dunes.
- Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is available at some spots where permitted; this popular region manages it closely, so check locally and see our freedom camping guide.
Book ahead for holiday parks around Kaiteriteri and Marahau in the busy summer months.
What are the driving conditions like?
The roads are sealed, but much of the region is hilly. Queen Charlotte Drive from Picton to Havelock is narrow and winding; the main highway via Blenheim is longer but easier in a large vehicle. Between Havelock and Nelson, State Highway 6 crosses the Rai Saddle and Whangamoa Hill with many bends.
The biggest climb is Tākaka Hill, a long, steep and twisting road with many tight corners. It is used by motorhomes every day, but take it slowly, use a low gear on the descent, and pull over to let traffic pass. Some roads in Golden Bay and at the far ends of the region are unsealed; see our guide to roads to check in your rental terms.
Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?
Nelson, Richmond and Motueka have large supermarkets, fuel and dump stations. Tākaka has a supermarket and fuel, and Collingwood has limited services. Stock up in Motueka before crossing Tākaka Hill. See our dump stations and water guide.
How long should you spend on this route?
- Day 1: Picton to Nelson, around 110 km, via Havelock and Pelorus Bridge.
- Day 2: Nelson to Kaiteriteri or Marahau, around 60–65 km, via Māpua.
- Day 3: A full day in the Abel Tasman: kayak, water taxi and walk, or cruise.
- Day 4: Over Tākaka Hill to Golden Bay, around 50 km from Motueka to Tākaka, with Te Waikoropupū Springs.
- Day 5: Collingwood, Wharariki Beach or a Farewell Spit tour.
- Day 6: Return over Tākaka Hill and head south towards Murchison and the West Coast.
Can you drive an RV into Abel Tasman National Park?
No road runs through the park itself. Park at Marahau or Kaiteriteri, where holiday parks and parking areas sit close to the departure points, then explore by water taxi, sea kayak or on foot along the Coast Track.
Which routes connect to this leg?
- Before: the Cook Strait ferry to Picton.
- Alternative from Picton: Marlborough and Kaikōura to Christchurch.
- Next: Buller and Paparoa from Nelson to Westport, Punakaiki and Greymouth.
This leg features in our Auckland to Christchurch in 21 days and whole of New Zealand in 4 weeks itineraries.
Start your South Island trip from Christchurch
Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Nelson
Frequently Asked Questions
Nelson is around 110 km from Picton via Havelock, about 1 hour 45 minutes of driving without stops.
Yes. Tākaka Hill is sealed and used by motorhomes every day, but it is a long, steep and twisting climb. Drive slowly, use a low gear on the descent and pull over to let faster traffic pass.
The most popular ways are guided sea kayaking from Marahau or Kaiteriteri, water taxis that drop you off to walk a section of the Coast Track, and scenic boat cruises along the coast.
Kaiteriteri and Marahau are the main gateways, with holiday parks and parking areas close to the boat and kayak departure points.
Te Waikoropupū Springs near Tākaka is one of the clearest bodies of fresh water ever measured and a sacred site for Māori. A short walk leads to viewing platforms over the spring.
Farewell Spit is a protected area that can only be visited on a guided tour, which departs from Collingwood in Golden Bay.
Allow four to six days to include Nelson, a full day in the Abel Tasman and at least one or two days in Golden Bay.