Neljune18

N E L S O N • M A R L B O R O U G H • W E S T C O A S T June 2018

ENCOUNTER

TUATARA

Don’t miss the brand new Tuatara Encounter and Kiwi Backstage Pass Tours

Based in Franz Josef and proudly NZ owned and operated. Here you will find the largest kiwi hatching facility in the South Island– home to the world’s 2 rarest kiwis – the Rowi and Haast Tokoeka. This award winning indoor facility is a wonderful example of a special public/private partnership with the Department of Conservation. See live kiwi during the day inside the nocturnal house, go behind the scenes to see Tuatara, discover the interactive glacier attraction and storytelling areas or go behind the scenes on the Lonely Planet “highly recommended Backstage Pass Tour and see kiwi chicks and meet the friendly ranger team. An indoor and all weather facility. with free Wi-Fi. Enjoy the best NZ shopping and coffee in Franz Josef or a delicious snack in the café

Open every day from 8.30am.Set aside 1 hour for a visit.

All-Weather Kiwi Attraction @Franz Josef New Zealand

Ph: +64 (3) 752 0600 Email: info@wildkiwi.co.nz www.wildkiwi.co.nz

NZ Owned and operated

RICHARD VAN DIJK Bladesmith / Goldsmith 1481 Motueka Valley Highway Ngatimoti, RD1 Motueka / New Zealand Phone +64 35268536 Mob. +64 21 1029679

www.hoihoknives.com •We meet the Tranz Alpine Train •Competitive rates •Full range of cars and minivans available

170 Tainui Street, Greymouth • PH (03) 768-0379 Fax (03) 768-0740 • Email: greenfield@minidata.co.nz

see us on page 11

Our friendly team are always happy to let you browse around our selections of possum merino knitwear, jewellery, pottery, glass, honey & so much more in store

Call in & be surprised 19 High Street, Picton Ph: 93 573 8178 Email: rjroy@xtra.co.nz

Page 2 — Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Tourist Times, June 2018

June - enjoy exploring NELSON,

MARLBORO UGH & the WEST COAST with TOURIST TIMES

tourist times team Editor / Advertising Sales: Scott Mullions scott@touristtimes.co.nz Mobile: 021 669 303 Other enquiries: enquiries@touristtimes.co.nz Published by Touristtimes SouthIsland Ltd Member of New Zealand Tourist Times Newspaper Group Ltd

CONTACT US TODAY

Mobile 021 669 303 enquiries@touristtimes.co.nz www.touristtimes.co.nz At the time of publication Tourist Times has to the best of it’s knowledge been supplied with accurate information. Tourist Times cannot, however, be held responsible for any consequence arising from any errors or omissions

Welcome to the June edition of Tourist Times.

Your regional guide to the Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Regions.

Tourist Times has bought together this months highlights with all the up to date information to ensure we inspire you to make the most of your stay in these regions during June So enjoy this excellent time of year and make sure you stop and check out some of the great scenery on offer during your travels, and don’t forget to check out the Local activities in the area’s you visit, there is alot on at this time of the year so check out our whats on section and all the local areas.

Follow us Happy travels from the Tourist Times team.

on facebook @Touristtimesnz

Boost your business today advertise with Tourist Times South Island Ltd PO Box 33257 Barrington Christchurch 8024 P: 0800 151525 M: 021 669303 E: scott@touristtimes.co.nz

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A regional guide for local & international travellers

0800 15 15 25 sales@touristtimes.co.nz

walk the

treetops

1128 Woodstock-Rimu Road Hokitika West Coast, New Zealand p: 0508 TREETOPS See Page 3 for details

Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Tourist Times, June 2018­— Page 3

PICTON - BLENHEIM

Picton The town was first surveyed in 1849 and the New Zea-

land Company called it Newton. For the next ten years the town was known by many names but in 1859 the Marlborough Province was created and the town was renamed Picton.

Today, Picton is a destination where tourism has very much taken over in what is recognised as some of the worlds most stunning scenery. Picton has in recent years become a haven for boaties and land lovers alike.

Key Centres of Marlborough Blenheim The largest town in Marlborough, the main airport is located here and the central base to visit the 43 winery cellar doors. Population: 26,500 est.

Picton A bustling sea port town at the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound and all the activities this entails. This is where you get the ferry service to Wellington and it is a 25 minute drive to Blenheim. Population:3,900 est / Marlborough pop : 42,000 est.

Havelock Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World and the gateway to the Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds.

Havelock is a 40 minute drive to Blenheim or 60 minutes to Nelson on State Highway 6.

Seddon A small village in the Awatere Valley is the service centre for the surrounding farm lands and vineyards.

Seddon is a 30 minute drive from Blenheim.

Our friendly team are always happy to let you browse around our selections of possum merino knitwear, jewellery, pottery, glass, honey & so much more in store

Call in & be surprised 19 High Street, Picton Ph: 93 573 8178 Email: rjroy@xtra.co.nz Picton’s Foreshore

Blenheim

Take advantage of a sunny day and watch the world go by from a park bench in the manicured gardens of Seymour Square or Pollard Park, or enjoy some bargain hunting as you browse the local shops.

Blenheim offers a selection of places to eat from fine dining restaurants, to trendy cafes and local pubs where you can enjoy a chilled local wine or beer and a coffee that is as good as you will get in the city.

Also you can head out to the Vines Village for wine tasting a fudge fix or a great meal or some great shopping don’t forget to stop in at Makana Chocolate, Hedgerows Strawberries and the Honey Company.

top

Main Street, Blenheim

Marlborough Experiences Take a winery tour. There is a variety of local wine trail operators providing a popular way to see and sample what Marlborough has to offer, be it by car, coach or bicycle!

Cruise the waterways of the Marlborough Sounds by boat.

Walk or Mountain Bike the famous Queen Charlotte Track for one day or four.

Wake up in paradise, stay in the vines or have a night away in the Marlborough Sounds.

Don’t miss the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and Omaka Classic Cars.

Get active on the water; kayaking, sailing, dolphin swimming or self drive safari.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch amongst the vines.

Spend a day in the vibrant seaside town of Picton, explore the foreshore and art galleries.

Go for a cruise on the Riverqueen.

Sample local produce from the farm gate or weekend market.

Page 4 — Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Tourist Times, June 2018

NELSON Richmond

Drive out to Richmond for a laidback shopping experience, visit an artist’s gallery or perhaps indulge in a glass of the region’s finest wines in the vineyards just beyond the centre of Richmond.

Richmond, the seat of the Tasman District Council, lies 13 km south of Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand, close to the southern extremity of Tasman Bay. The census conducted on 6 March 2006 counted more than 14,000 residents.

Although Richmond lies outside the boundaries of Nelson City, it forms part of the Nelson Urban Area for statistical purposes, and New Zealanders informally consider it part of Greater Nelson or the “Top of the South”.

ABEL TASMAN

Abel Tasman National Park (established in 1942) is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track. It also has a mild climate and is a good place to visit at any time of the year.

At 22,530 hectares Abel Tasman is New Zealand’s smallest national park. It is located at the top of the South Island; the nearest towns are Motueka, Takaka and Kaiteriteri.

NELSON

There’s nowhere else in the world where you’ll find, within a short distance, three spectacular New Zealand national parks, glistening golden sand beaches and turquoise crystal clear waters, alongside alpine meadows and snowy mountain ranges. Enjoy all year in a climate that rivals the Mediterranean.

Short on time? We have the best of the best, all within 90 minutes drive time.

Key tourism attractions include the Abel Tasman National Park, the Nelson Lakes National Park and the Kahurangi National Park.

Here’s a few “Must Do’s”: - Sea kayak, swim with seals or cruise through Abel Tasman National Park.

- Visit the Nelson Lakes National Park and enjoy great alpine hiking.

- Hike or mountain-bike the Heaphy Track in the Kahurangi National Park.

- Plan a cycling adventure around our cycleway trails or along Rocks Road.

- See the world’s clearest water at Te Waikoropupu Springs, Golden Bay. - Take a guided nature and bird tour along Farewell Spit and spend a golden day in Golden Bay. - Sample a local brew at one of our boutique craft breweries.

- Journey into the countryside and meet winemakers at their cellar doors.

- Play a round of golf at one of our country or ocean view golf clubs.

- Walk to the summit of the Centre of New Zealand for views over Nelson city.

- Spend time on Tahunanui Beach, soak up the rays and enjoy our café culture.

- Cast out a line and enjoy the best fly fishing in New Zealand.

- Join the locals as they buzz around the vibrant Nelson Saturday Morning Market for fresh produce, art, crafts, fashion, food, jewellery and more.

The nearest towns of Nelson, Motueka and Takaka have i-SITES, accommodation and shops catering for tramping and kayaking needs. Kaiteriteri has a petrol station, small grocery shop, accommodation and café. Marahau has accommodation, a shop and cafés. Takaka is the last place for petrol before Totaranui.

There are many great day trips in the Park but if you are going to be using the track system in the park for overnight trips, make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared. Everyone needs to carry a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, sufficient high-energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof raincoat, and warm (wool or fleece) clothing. A portable stove will also be needed. Firm footwear is recommended but boots are not necessary. Giardia has been found in park waters. Boiling, chemical treatment or filtering can remove it. Check for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions before starting your trip.

WESTPORT

REEFTON

ST ARNAUD

St Arnaud is a settlement in Nelson Tasman. St Arnaud is the gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park. The locality is also known as Lake Rotoiti which better describes this lakeside community. However, the town’s official name remains St Arnaud as Lake Rotoiti (literally small lake in Maori) is the name of a locality in New Zealand’s North Island.

How to get there

State Highway 63 leads from Marlborough on the east coast to the West Coast. Traveling east, Picton (1 3/4 hours), Blenheim (1 hour 20 minutes), Renwick (70 minutes) and Wairau Valley township (35 minutes). Traveling west Kawatiri Junction (15 minutes), Murchison (40 minutes) and Westport (2 hours 10 minutes). There are two main ways to get to St Arnaud From Nelson. The quickest is traveling through Richmond and Wakefield on State Highway 6. The turnoff is 10 minutes past Wakefield and St Arnaud is signposted through to the village. The road intersects with State Highway 63 two minutes east of the village.

Otherwise, State Highway 6 continues to Kawatiri Junction which is the end of State Highway 63.

St Arnaud 7072 - Google Maps

27/06/14 9:01 AM

St Arnaud 7072

Westport is the Buller regions largest town and offers a range of services you’d expect from a larger centre, including an airport. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes a movie theatre and lots of accomodation. With its central location Westport is an ideal place from which to explore the surrounding area – whether its north for arts and crafts, west for surf and seals, or south for fascinating limestone landscapes of the Paparoa National Park.

Things to do

Coaltown Muesuem The new Coaltown Museum has now opened in its new home with the Westport I-site next to the Clocktower building, 123 Palmerston St, Westport.

Mountain Biking Denniston is the perfect location for mountain biking, offering 9 exciting rides.

Track surfaces vary from gravel roads to rocky tracks and some short walking sections. All circuits have sections of track that range from Grade 2 (easy) up to Grade 3 (intermediate).

The small town of Reefton is a place for everyone to enjoy - be it for a day or two, a week or a place to call home. Reefton’s gold rush in the 1860’s helped to establish a rich heritage. As well as being the first to have a public supply of electricity, the town was the first to switch on an electric street lighting system in the Southern Hemisphere.

Many of the heritage buildings have been restored and offer an insight to the past. There are some Great cafes and restaurants and lots of accomodation choices from a campmg ground to motels, if you are passing through Reefton is well worth a stop, it won’t dissapoint!

Cape Foulwind Walkway & Seal Colony Walk One of New Zealand’s most accessible seal colonies is just out of Westport at Tauranga Bay. The 10 - minute walking track from the car park leads to viewing platforms directly overlooking the colony. This is a year-round colony, the best time to view is October to March when the Big Bull Seals are their for mating, and also a great time to see seal pups playing.

Photos

Golden Bay

Takaka

Cook Strait Tasman Bay Motueka

Karamea Bight

Nelson

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Picton

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Richmond

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Blenheim

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Westport

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St Anaud 65

Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Tourist Times, June 2018 — Page 5

Fox & Franz Josef Fox Glaciert

Franz Josef

Fed by four alpine glaciers, Fox Glacier falls 2,600m on its 13km journey from the Southern Alps down to the coast, with it having the distinction of being one of the few glaciers to end among lush rainforest only 300 metres above sea level. Some 140 glaciers flow from the Southern Alps, however only two (Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers) penetrate as far as the lower rainforests.

West Coast Wildlife Centre

The Fox Glacier township is just 6 km from the glacier and offers an intimate village experience, tucked into the rainforest-clad foothills of the Southern Alps, the township offers a range of quality accommodation, hotels, cafes, a general store and service station.

The great little town of Franz Josef which shares it’s name the the narby Glacier, there are plenty of places to stay and some excellent eateries, you can kayak at the nearby lake Mapourika or catch a scenic flight from one if the local operators. there are also some really great walksand tours that you can do.

Located on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, 148 kms south of Greymouth and 25 Kms from Fox Glacier, Franz Josef is a small town with a population of 440.

Franz Josef town is 5 km from the Franz Josef Glacier terminal face. Its accessibility makes it a major tourist attraction and the reason why many people visit Franz Josef.

The 12 km long Franz Josef Glacier is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, a remnant from the Ice Age which is one of South Westland’s major draw card for visitors.

Lake Matheson

Hari Hari has the widest main street in the South Island Hari Hari is the landing site of the first solo Trans-Tasman flight.

Australian Guy Menzies went off course during his 1931 flight and 11 hours 45 minutes after leaving Sydney crash landed upside down in the La Fontaine swamp. There is a replica of his biplane on the main road. The 2.5 hours Hari Hari Coastal walk here is well worth it.

The town is also 20 minutes walk from the Westland National Park.

At Franz Josef there is a range of activities ranging from the walks on Franz Josef Glacier with a duration of 3 hours, bush walks, scenic helicopter flights of Mt Cook, Fox, Tasman and Franz Josef Glaciers, to name a few of the activities that are available.

Check out www.wildkiwi.co.nz for more information or call 03 752 060 in NZ and speak to the friendly Franz Josef team based there.

Visitors to Franz Josef will find a small but comfortable township with a First Class hotel, a good selection of motel, hostel and motor camp accommodation and several restaurants.

Despite being in the wilderness, the town has all essential services including a good garage, a district nurse and Visitors Centre and Department of Conservation Office.

Glacier Kayaking

Hari Hari is 45 minutes south of Hokitika and was once a logging settlement, but today Hari Hari, is popular for bush walking, bird watching, and trout or salmon fishing.

Hari Hari is a small rural settlement in the south west of the West Coast region. It was in Hari Hari that Australian pilot and adventurer Guy Menzies completed the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand in 1931.

The Attraction Take a self-guided tour of our indoor attraction and see Rowi kiwi in our natural bush walkthrough, or purchase our famous Backstage Pass combo ticket to get a first-hand, behind the scenes look at our hatching and incubation programme.

Don’t miss our Glacier area, or Wild West Coast storytelling old hut, to discover the incredible stories and pioneering spirit that brought explorers over to The Glaciers in the past, and still does so to this very day.

Franz Josef Glacier

Hari Hari

Meet and discover New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, the Rowi at the West Coast Wildlife Centre.

The West Coast Wildlife Centre is a unique and interactive experience that brings together nature, conservation and wildlife all under one roof! Our all-weather attraction is fun for all ages to explore and takes place against the stunning backdrop of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Page 6 — Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast Tourist Times, June 2018

Haast

Haast, The perfect destination to explore some of New Zealand’s most unique scenery and wildlife situated amidst spectacular & rugged scenery of the South West New Zealand World Heritage area, between ancient rainforests of Te Wahipounamu, glaciers, and the Tasman sea.

Haast offers a unique insight to the “real New Zealand” a rare gem, unspoilt by humans and thriving with native bird life.

Discover the extraordinary history of South Westland, from pre european Maori, and the importance of pounamu, to early pioneering, gold mining, logging, fishing, deer recovery, and more.

Try sea fishing, fly fishing, whitebaiting (in season), deer stalking, bird watching, tramping, nature walks, jet boat safaris, helicopter adventures and glacier flights.

Haast offers visitors a variety of accommodation, to suit a range of requirements,fromHotels, Motels, B&B’s and Boutique Lodgings, camping facilities.

Haast has a supermarket, gift shops, locally made crafts and jewellery, petrol stations, restaurants cafe’s and bars.

Haast Pass

The Haast Pass rises to a height of 562 metres above sea level at the saddle between the valleys of the Haast and Makarora Rivers. As such, it is the lowest of the passes traversing the Southern Alps. The Haast Pass road is devoid of any settlements between Haast and Makarora.

The road passes through predominantly unmodified beech forest. The pass itself is within the limits of Mount Aspiring National Park and forms part of the boundary between Otago and the West Coast. it is well worth a stop and there are plenty great tracks and waterfalls.

Haast - Google Maps

3/12/14 9:38 P

Haast Photos · Search nearby

Jacksons bay

Lake Paringa

Jacksons Bay is 32km South west from Haast,The bay marks the farthest extent of the West Coast’s road network. The small road which meanders along the coast from Haast, close to Jackson Head. This was the site of the landing of the early settlers of the area, and is close to the mouth of the Arawhata (or Arawata) River. The third river to enter the Tasman along this stretch of coast is the Waiatoto River, which enters the bay 10 kilometres to the east of Jackson Head.

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Haast Jackson Bay 6 Wanaka

Heartland World Heritage Hotel, Haast

Dwarfed by the mountains, rivers, beaches and lush rainforest of the South Westland World Heritage Area, our Heartland World Heritage Hotel in Haast provides the perfect resting spot for travellers and adventurers alike.

Rugged West Coast cuisine

The West Coast has its share of tasty treats from the surrounding rugged natural environment, from game meats to the famous West Coast whitebait. With either buffet dining (seasonal) from our carvery in the Waiatoto Room to our casual café and hearty pub style fare in the Frontier Café & Bar we will ensure that you leave happy and contented.

Map data ©2014 Google

5 km

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Haast/@-43.9113169,169.124171,11z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x6cd59d256cd89b67:0x500ef86847972d0

Blue Pools - Near Haast Pass

Waiatoto Restaurant

Explore Haast this WINTER

Gates of Haast

Frontier Café & Bar

Bed & Breakfast

150

$

ONLY

*

PER NIGHT

Travelling around the West Coast of the South Island? Take advantage of this limited time offer available at Heartland World Heritage Hotel in Haast.

For bookings & enquiries please call the hotel direct on 03 750 0828 UPGRADE to ‘Dinner, Bed, & Breakfast’ for $225/night. Includes: mains, deserts, and free glass of house wine or glass of tap beer. *Valid for stays 1 Jan – 31 Aug 2018 at Heartland World Heritage Hotel. Subject to availability. Available for phone bookings only. Price is GST inclusive. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Cancellation policy applies.

HEARTLAND WORLD HERITAGE HOTEL Haast-Jackson Bay Road, Haast

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