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New Zealand
> Nelson - Westland > St Arnaud - Nelson Lakes
 St Arnaud is located on the shore of Lake
Rotoiti and is a gateway and base to experience and explore the
Nelson Lakes National Park. You can canoe, powerboat, water ski, windsurf and swim in
the lakes in summer. In Winter, ski on the nearby Rainbow Valley Ski-field,
or just curl up by the fire in
The Lodge or one of homestays
to enjoy the
scenery are the activities for winter. Hiking is popular year
around though the tracks can be very wet in winter.
Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa are the
defining characteristics of the area. With
beech forest to the shores around nearly the entire
circumference, they are a picturesque area in which
to spend time. As well as simply enjoying the
scenery, you can try your hand at any number of water
sports, such kayaking or windsurfing - equipment is
available for hire. Or you can relax aboard a
luxury yacht for a chartered cruise around either of
the lakes.
The rivers around St Arnaud provide some of
the best trout fishing in the country and for more of an adrenaline rush, try
white-water rafting down the Buller and Gowan Rivers
near St Arnaud. A day-trip will take you
through some stunning scenery with exciting white
water action, including the famous Granity Rapid.
If you’d prefer to keep dry, there
are exciting four wheel drive tracks to try –
either in your own vehicle, or as part of an
organised tour. Travel through farmland and
beech forests and see stunning scenery not accessible
by ordinary vehicles. You can also try a horse
trek over farmland and through native bush – all
levels of ability can be catered for. Alternatively,
you can pack a picnic in a backpack and explore any
one of the multitude of day walks in the area.
Just south of St Arnaud is the Rainbow
Ski-field, which is the only ski-field in the Nelson
region. At 1760m, it gets a healthy winter snow
fall which is boosted by snow-making machines.
It is one of the lesser known of the country’s
ski areas, which gives it the benefit of being less
crowded than many of the more mainstream
options. It has a diverse terrain with
everything from a gentle slope for beginners, to
jumps and drops to thrill experienced
snowboarders. Rainbow opens in late June and
the season usually lasts through to October.
The general store in St Arnaud stocks
basic groceries, takeaways,
petrol and diesel (8.00am - 5.00pm weekdays), postal services.
There are also several restaurants and cafes with new services being
developed.
The Tophouse offers traditional Devonshire
teas as well a variety of other snacks, all in a beautiful historic
setting. While you wait for your order to be prepared, you can take
a tour of your beautiful surrounds. Within the Alpine Lodge, a luxurious
holiday apartment complex, there is an a la carte
restaurant as well as a more casual café.
 Accommodation
Alpine Lodge St Arnaud
and motels, camping grounds and homestays.
St
Arnaud is about an hour’s drive from either
Nelson or
Blenheim and the nearest town is
Murchison.
Nelson Lakes National Park
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