Discover the Nelson Tasman Region

by TerissaBlogsPosted on Comments are Disabled

Known as ‘the top of the south’, the Nelson Tasman region hosts the wonderful gem Abel Tasman National Park and places the north-west corner of New Zealand on the map. This region sits close to the top of having the most sunshine hours in the country and attracts many visitors year after year with its golden beaches, culture, lifestyle and recreation activities. It is the geographical centre of New Zealand with a population of 106,000 and almost 50 percent of those are located in Nelson city.

Nelson Tasman is a terrific place to play and explore whilst developing your career, it offers a growing regional economy invested in innovation and diversity with the region introducing the most new job creations consistently over the last decade. Apart from its easy accessibility to the marvelous landscapes within the region, it is complimented by the welcoming community which comprises of more than 45 varying cultures, it not surprising that many who visit choose to live and stay in the region. If you are thinking of moving to Nelson, you’ll be pleased to know that the city is highly connected with over 2400 flights a month and provides low cost air connectivity to all major cities including Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. In fact, a flight from Wellington to Nelson takes only 30 minutes and some of the bigger Wellington movers can move road freight via Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries and have it their the same day.

Some of the things you can expect to enjoy in Nelson include:

Rabbit Island – a famous scenic beach and is popular amongst locals all year round. Families, couples and friends can be seen gathering and enjoying a picnic or BBQ along the reserve and by the 13km beach. It is also hugely popular with cyclists traveling on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and day visitors can find a range of sightseeing opportunities including birdlife and wonderful scenic photo spots.

Terrific food & wine – from the freshest of seafood to quality produce, there is no shortage of variety when it comes to choosing a place to dine. Nelson also has an impressive wine production that has benefited from the amount of sunshine it gets in the region. If you are a coffee lover, Nelson is thriving with coffee roasters with many cafes within reach in all parts of the region.

Affordable housing – Nelson Tasman region maintains exceptional housing values with approximately forty percent lower housing median prices than major city Auckland. It has become a popular spot to raise a family and escape the hustle and bustle that other cities consistently demand. Coupled with great schools, a lifestyle in Nelson will allow you to take a step back to appreciate what truly matters most.

Amazing Ways to Explore in Abel Tasman

by TerissaBlogs, Nature, Visit NZPosted on Comments are Disabled

Planning on a trip to Abel Tasman National Park? Some of the most amazing marine wildlife, stretches of glorious beaches, abundance of lush native forest, the choices are spoilt and how you explore this destination is completely up to you. To help you on your adventure, we assembled a list to make planning a visit that much simpler.

Abel Tasman National Park certainly is a sought after destination to visit, boasting a dynamic amount of water activities including snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving and has its fair share of coastal activities, with kayaking, cruises and scuba diving. Furthermore, if you prefer it from a different angle, skydiving or hang gliding may be your cup of tea. Whatever the case, you can make your own adventure in Abel Tasman.

1. Scenic Flight

Indulge in a scenic flight with a bird’s eye view and see the beauty of the Abel Tasman National Park, fly along the coast of Golden Bay all the way up to the Archway Islands and back to experience the golden beaches including world famous Kaiteriteri Beach. If you are a fan of ‘Lord of the Rings’, why not take a helicopter tour and soak in the views of Canann Downs where you’ll find ancient beech trees, rolling hills and large rock formations. You can easily see why director Sir Peter Jackson chose this incredible location as a backdrop to his trilogies.

2. The Abel Tasman Coast Track

One of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the coast track is made up of sixty kilometers along the coastline and is a perfect way to explore the unmatched beauty of golden sandy beaches. The entire length can be trekked within 5 days for most with campsites available all along the stretch; however, there are other accommodation options if camping isn’t your thing. The track can cater for people of all ages, if you love trekking but don’t have the stamina for the full length you’ll be glad to know that the track is easily accessed by boats so shuttles and water taxis are easily booked if the one day is enough for you.

3. Kayaking close to wildlife

If you’re after a more relaxed activity, there is no better way than to kayak along the magnificent coastline at your own pace. There are plenty of opportunities to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy life, reflect on the surroundings and bring back some tranquillity when kayaking in the water. If you are feeling adventurous, hire a kayak and have a self-guided tour, if you feel more comfortable in a group perhaps a guided multi-day tour is for you. The possibility of close encounters with marine wildlife is almost a certainty near the Tonga Island Marine Reserve.

4. Try Scuba Diving

There is something to experience about scuba diving, entering a different world under water in the heart of Tonga Island Marine Reserve. The reserve is a protected area for marine wildlife which means you’ll get to experience them thriving in the region. There is an abundance of crayfish hidden in reefs, eels and fish to see such as blue cod, moki and snapper.

5. Skydive Over Abel Tasman

For those who are chasing a bit of adrenaline, the rewarding views of the Abel Tasman National Park from 20,000ft is simply breath taking. The magnitude of what Abel Tasman has to offer can be summed up in a single skydive traveling 120mph freefall followed by extraordinary peace at 5,000 feet a gentle drift via parachute to the drop zone. Abel Tasman Skydive offers heart dropping experiences starting at $279 and is an experience guaranteed to be memorable.