Nelson or Marlborough Sounds stay
 

We have two teenage sons and are having a difficult time deciding where to stay in the north part of the southern island. We will not have a car so will be dependant on bus, train, air or water taxi. We will be arriving in Christchurh at the end of March.
A place nice but not victorian.We enjoy water sports, hiking,etc. activities. Any recommendations?Thanks.:)

The north part of the South Island is a personal favorite, but I've never visited without a car, so can't help much with the transportation issues.

Both Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds are great places to visit. You can reach several resorts in the Marlborough Sounds via water taxi, but you first have to get to Picton or Havelock, where the water taxis are located. Intercity has a daily bus to Picton/Blenheim/Nelson, but I don't know the details.

The resorts in the Sounds offer all sorts of outdoor activities that your kids might go for. Walking portions of the Queen Charlotte Track is also a good activity. You can take a water taxi from your resort to a drop off point and walk back via the track or vice versa.

You might want to take a look at the Bay of Many Coves Resort - it's just one of several options within the Sounds.

Thank you for our imput BOMC must be great because if was full.:( I did find Awaroa Lodge which is in Abel Tasman National Park. It will take longer to get to but I think the journey will be fun... I will let you know how it goes, but I am very excited about this part of the trip.

Abel Tasman is beautiful. You really can't go wrong.

Have a great trip.

Hi Palms,

I recently stayed at Awaroa Lodge, and was disappointed with the resort. The accommodations are clean and neat (if a bit spartan)with an interesting "open" shower that I think was designed in a sloping fashion, but doesn't work so you end up with half of the bathroom floor wet; the walking trails have poor signage and the food at the Lodge runs about $26 - $38 for mains (I figure a teenage boy's appetite could break the bank in a few days) :)

Of course I should mention that the weather might have been a contributing factor in my opinion, as it was cold and windy, but I think most teenagers would be bored out of their minds there.

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist