which place around marlborough as a base?
 

After tramping Queen Charlotte's Track... i would like to walk the wineries, abel tasman, nelson but i'm not driving, so which would be the best place(s)to stay as a base? any ideas on self catering apartments or cottages, B&B´s around the area? thankx lavici

I just posted a list of suggestions on your other thread. I'd forgotten when I posted that you wouldn't have a car, but you might be able to get around by bus in the areas I've suggested.

thanks melnq i was hoping you appeared around tonite ( for me it's saturday feb.9th @10.40pm) i i won't have a car. i'll check them out.any self catering cottages or pats around that area that you know of? thankx... lavici

Not to confuse matters, but the Marlborough and the Nelson wine regions are two different areas:

The Marlborough region extends from the Marlborough Sounds to Kaikoura and includes Blenheim, Picton and Seddon.

http://www.marlborough.co.nz/marlborough.asp

The Nelson region includes Nelson, Mapua, Tasman, Upper Moutere, Motueka, and Abel Tasman.

http://www.nelsonnz.com/

I only point this out because I often fail to make this distinction in my posts.

Both regions have beautiful wine.

then i could do both! how many days you would think? 3 days for each area more or less? j

We try to spend a minimum of three nights at each place we visit in NZ and it's worked well for us.

thanks mel...;>

I think you would be surprised at how spread out the wineries are all over Marlborough. There could possibly be a wine tour from Nelson, check out some websites and there are a few nice B & B's in Nelson which are within easy walking of the township. You should make a point of going to the Wearable Art museum, it is quite stunning.

hi kathy nz: i've decided to do just that... stay in the nelson area. i'm checking out several B&B´s, this is the one for el retiro:
http://www.greenwoodguides.com/displ...ry=new-zealand, it looks to be close to that same area... and i will check out the wine tours, i'd love to go the museum you suggested. thanks... jjj

If you are not driving I cannot see why you would stay at a place that's out in the countryside, it will be impossible to get transport from there. There are a few nice B & B's right in Nelson township itself.

kathy could you recommend any particular ones. you see when i put nelson on trip advisor or greenwood guides some of these places come out as being IN nelson, so i don't know for sure..ther'e one that comes up as the best but it's more than i have for my budget..jj

Yes, I can. It's called Mikonui. Could not be in a more pleasant or convenient position, a short walk to the town centre but still in a residential area with nice homes, people around were very friendly if you take a walk in the mornings or evenings. The email address is on my card from there, if it is still the same one, it is [email protected]
A good website is www.bnb.co.nz if you look at Mikonui on there a map will also pop up. If they are booked out I'm sure the owner will recommend another close by but I would definitely recommend here to someone travelling on their own.
If you are outside of a small town like this you will not have public transport, best to stay in the town environs.

thanks kathy... you are right! i will check them out ASAP :)