The Best New Zealand Road Trip If You Like Swimming, Craft Beer And Obscenely Delicious Food

For those who consider themselves #notatourist or simply prefer the road less travelled, we’ve teamed up with Visa to avoid the usual landmarks and crowds and try some local delicacies and must-see sights that only a local knows about. 

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When it comes to tooling around New Zealand in the summer, nothing beats hiring a car and going on a good old-fashioned road trip. And if you’re a little unsure about where to head or keen to avoid the Lord of the Rings group tours, there’s one road trip to rule them all (last LOTR reference, I swear).

A six-day drive from Nelson, Motueka and through to Golden Bay on the South Island has got everything else licked, and not just because it’s been the route to travel for the best bush doofs in the country since the ‘90s. Blessed with wildly attractive inland and coastal views, a stack of beaches and watering holes for lazy swimtimes, the obligatory NZ hills of rolling green and more good food than you could wave a stick at, this ain’t a half-bad way to spend a week off.

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Day One: Nelson

Aim to arrive in Nelson on a Friday and immediately refuel at Morrison Street Café — their banana and bacon pancakes are a religious experience. Walk those suckers off along the lush Maitai River and remember to wait half an hour before taking advantage of any of its pristine swimming holes.

Visit Queens Gardens or walk up the hill in Branford Reserve to the centre of New Zealand (insert own Middle Earth pun here). For craft beer, a visit to The Free House or the East Street Vegetarian café and bar is the way forward. The latter usually has live music or DJs every night of the weekend.

Morrison Street Café: 244 Hardy St, Nelson

The Free House: 95 Collingwood St, Nelson

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Day Two: Nelson Again

Even though it’s probably illegal not to visit a market on the first Saturday of any trip away, the Montgomery Square carpark markets are a definite cut above the usual coloured-sand-in-glass-jars-and-wonky-cakes stalls. With over 200 food, craft and produce stalls, they make for a fun morning that isn’t too taxing on any possible hangovers. Don Rodrigo’s sourdough bakery stand for carbs then drive over to Mapua Wharf for coffee or thick shakes at the Rabbit Island Coffee Co. shipping container.

While you’re there, take a lazy look at the art galleries, junk shops and restaurants and stroll over to Rabbit Island, which is accessible by land. If you feel like beaching it, Tahunanui Beach is where the locals swim. An afternoon at Founder’s Park’s Historical Heritage Village pretty interesting as well. For dinner, head to the waterfront and stuff yourself with seafood at The Boatshed, or if you’re on a budget, one of the dozen fish and chip shops along the wharf.

Founder’s Park’s Historical Heritage Village: 87 Atawhai Dr, The Wood

The Boatshed: 350 Wakefield Quay, Stepneyville

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Day Three: Nelson To Motueka

That’s it, that’s Nelson. On to Motueka which is a forty-five minute drive along the State Highway. Wash off the car ride at the Saltwater Baths on North Street then grab an ice cream at the sprawling T.O.A.D Hall Store and Café.

Continue your craft beer tour at the Hop Federation and Townshed’s Breweries, and while you’re in town check out the Motueka Market which should be on if you arrived on a Sunday like I told you to.

T.O.A.D Hall Store and Café: 502 High Street South, Motueka

Hop Federation: 483 Main Road, Riwaka

Townshed’s Breweries: Rosedale Road, RD2 Upper Moutere

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Day Four: Motueka To Golden Bay

Depart Motueka for Golden Bay. Give yourself time on the way to visit the amazing Ngarua Caves – home to both stalactites and stalagmites, as well as a bunch of really interesting moa fossils. Eat at legendary street café Dangerous Kitchen, then go for a walk on one of the trails around the gorgeous freshwater Te Waikoropupu Springs. That night you get to eat at the Mussel Inn, and for that I am violently jealous.

Dangerous Kitchen: 46a Commercial St, Takaka

Mussel Inn: 1259 State Highway 60, Onekaka

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Day Five: Golden Bay

For too long fishing has been the bastion of dads, but like chubby tummies and moustaches, the rest of the world’s a-coming for it. Head to Anatoki Salmon Fishing & Café where you can catch fresh salmon and eat it right there on the spot. Veggo/vegans can pass over the fish and head on a scenic flight with Adventure Flights Golden Bay instead.

A trip out along the Farewell Spit on an eco tour for a chill, outdoorsy afternoon – there’s also great horse-riding with Cape Farewell Horse Treks. Unleash your hunger on a slow-cooked meal at the Sans Souci Inn.

Anatoki Salmon Fishing & Café: 230 McCallum Rd, Takaka

Adventure Flights Golden Bay: 290 State Highway 60, Takaka Airfield, RD2

Sans Souci Inn: 11 Richmond Rd, Pohara

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Day Six: Golden Bay And Then Go Home

The Abel Tasman National Park is about an hours drive either way and is known for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coast track. Stop off at Totos Café & Gallery for the best in coffee and vista.

Abel Tasman has mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, as well as your run-of-the-mill so beautiful it hurts South Island beaches. Tours and rentals can be arranged locally with Golden Bay Kayaks. Later that day catch a relax at Waitapu Springs and I’d suggest another restaurant for dinner but you’re going back to the Mussel Inn aren’t you, you greedy little mussel hog.

Totos Café & Gallery: Totaranui Road, Wainui Bay, Takaka

Golden Bay Kayaks: 29 Cornwall Pl, Tata Beach

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Wherever you travel, take Visa — it’s money you can’t lose.