Nelson Lakes National Park

Nelson Lakes National Park is in the Nelson Tasman region of New Zealand.

This is a pristine landscape of greywacke mountains fringed by the sweet smelling (quite literally - the native trees exude a sugary sap that acts as the primary food source for a long and esoteric food chain) native beech forest that surrounds the two largest lakes of Rotoiti and Rotoroa.

There is a "mainland island" to the east of Lake Rotoiti where war has been declared on introduced pests such as feral cats, possums, stoats, etc in order to try to regenerate both the native plants and animal and bird life. The native eels and brown trout in the lakes are simply humungous!

The park's visitor centre is in St Arnaud.

The main access point is the small township of St Arnaud, situated at the northern end of Lake Rotoiti on State Highway 63, about 1.5 hours from Blenheim and Nelson, and 2 hours from Wesport and Picton.

The Mount Robert Road (5 minutes west of St Arnaud, mostly unpaved) ascends to a parking area on the side of Mount Robert, providing access to some of the main hiking trails.

There is also road access to Lake Rotoroa; turn off State Highway 6 at Gowanbridge (about 30 minutes west of St Arnaud).

• Nelson Lakes Shuttles, ☏ +64 (3) 540 2042, info@nelsonlakesshuttles.co.nz. Shuttle transport (no fixed schedule; charters available for larger groups) connects the park with Nelson, Blenheim and elsewhere. (updated Jul 2026)

None of New Zealand's National Parks charge for general admission. Huts in the National park charge standard fees for accommodation.

The Angelus Hut must be booked online in advanced during peak time.

The primary mode of transportation within the park is on foot. Trails range in length from a few minutes to a week or more.

Water taxi service is available on Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa.

• -41.80688172.846991 Lake Rotoiti Water Taxis, ☏ +64 21 702 278, wildernesslink@gmail.com. Water taxi service on Lake Rotoiti; On demand/charter service year-round; scheduled services in summer. Also kayak rentals.  (updated Jul 2026)

• -41.79405172.597662 Lake Rotoroa Water Taxi, ☏ +64 3 970 4500, rotoroawatertaxi.white@gmail.com. Water taxi service on Lake Rotoroa. Also shuttle services to St Arnaud and Murchison.  (updated Jul 2026)

Tramping (hiking, trekking) is the main activity in the park. Hunting and fishing are permitted in the park but heavily regulated; contact the DOC for details.

• Kayak rentals available on Lake Rotoiti - see Rotoiti water taxi above.
• Various short nature walks in the St Arnaud area.
• St Arnaud Range track. Steep ascent from the lake shore at St Arnaud; about 5-6 hours round trip.
• Lake Rotoiti Circuit. A one-day hike. Requires a river crossing at the lake head; the only footbridge will add about 3-4 hours to your hike.
• Mt Robert Circuit Track. A one-day hike. From the Mount Robert carpark, ascend via the Pinchgut track, descend via Paddy's track. Continue further along the Robert Ridge, as time and weather permit.
• Lake Angelus is the most popular hiking destination in the park, about 6 hours from the Mount Robert carpark. Return via Speargrass Valley or Hukere Stream and Lake Rotoiti (2-day circuits); Sunset Saddle and Hopeless Creek (3-day circuit), or the full Travers-Sabine circuit (Lake Rotoroa; Sabine Valley, Travers saddle returning to Lake Rotoiti. 5 to 7 day circuit).
• Blue Lake, D'Urville Valley, Moss Pass etc are possible extensions of the Travers-Sabine circuit.
• The Waiau Pass section of Te Araroa trail follows the Travers and Sabine valleys, past Blue Lake and Lake Constance through Waiau Pass, continuing south towards the Lewis Pass area.

• St Arnaud Alpine Village Store, Main Rd. Daily 08:00-18:00, takeaways Fri-Sat 16:30-20:00. Essentials such as groceries, fuel, beer and some frivolities such as possum-wool socks. Mountain bike hire. 

• The village store (see above) has a cafe and take-out food.
• Alpine Lodge. is the only restaurant in St Arnaud. (updated Jul 2026)

• Nelson Lakes Motels, Main Rd, ☏ +64 3 521-1887.  
• -41.76392172.902161 Tophouse Historic Hotel, ☏ +64 21 071 2363. Located a few minutes from St Arnaud towards Nelson, the inn was built in 1887 and is is a listed historic place. B&B, cabins, campervan parking. Restaurant on site. rooms 140-180NZ$; campervan sites 30-35NZ$.  
• Travers Sabine lodge.  
• -41.80218172.847172 Alpine Lodge, 75 Main Road St, Arnaud, ☏ +64 3 521 1869, info@alpinelodge.co.nz. Wide range of accommodation, from backpacker lodge to private apartments. Attached restaurant and bar.  (updated Jul 2026)

• -41.80601172.847683 Kerr Bay Campsite, Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti. DOC campground on the shore of Lake Rotoiti. Powered, unpowered and tent sites. Toilets, showers and a cooking block (gas stoves). May be booked out over the summer Christmas/New Year period.  (updated Jul 2026)
• -41.79762172.827274 West Bay Campground, Mount Robert Road. Second DOC campground at Lake Rotoiti, on the West Bay a few minutes from St Arnaud. Only open in summer.  (updated Jul 2026)
• -41.79476172.597835 Lake Rotoroa campsite, Porika Rd. DOC campground on the shore of Lake Rotoroa.  (updated Jul 2026)
• -41.88753172.74786 Angelus Hut Campsite. One of the back-country camping areas in the park. No facilities.  (updated Nov 2021)

The Department of Conservation manages a network of about 20 huts, and also campsites, for hikers throughout the park. The most popular (Angelus, Bushline) require advance booking through the DOC web site.

Huts not on the booking system require tickets or passes; these can be purchased from the Visitor Center in St Arnaud and other DOC offices, or from some outdoor stores.

• Stay in a Hut. DOC hut information and access to booking system. (updated Jul 2026)

Hikers need to be prepared for natural hazards, including flooded rivers and winter weather conditions throughout the park. Particularly at higher elevations, snow and ice can be encountered at any time of the year. The Robert Ridge in particular, between Lake Rotoiti and Lake Angelus, is an exposed, high-elevation route, and has been the site of many rescues, and some fatalities.

For longer hikes, check with the DOC visitor centre for up-to-date information on closures, hazards etc that may affect your route.