Explore Nelson's Top Outdoor Adventures
Accents accommodation in Nelson is a great place to base yourself while enjoying the regions spectacular outdoor activities.
Our Hostel is right in the centre of town and all of the Local Tourism operators and buses will pick you up from our door. Our lovely staff will be happy to help you organise your adventures and make suggestions as to how you can make the most of your time in this great region.
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- Abel Tasman National Park
- Nelson Lakes & Kahurangi National Parks
- Biking and Mountain Biking
- Fun in the Air
- Water Sports
- Tramping & Walking
Discover Abel Tasman National Park Experiences
Relax on golden beaches, swim in crystal-clear waters, or kayak along the stunning coastline.
Spot playful seals, take a scenic boat cruise, or explore on foot — great even on a sunny winter’s day!
Short on time? You can’t visit Nelson without at least a day trip to Abel Tasman National Park.
With so many options, it can be tricky to decide the best way to spend your day. Our Reception staff can help you with information, ideas and Bookings
- Door-to-door pick-up from Accents Hostel
- Scenic boat cruise
- Tramping/hiking
- Kayaking
- Seal spotting
Walk
Plan Your Abel Tasman Adventure
Whether you have just a day or several, we can help you make the most of your visit to Abel Tasman National Park.
Day Trips from Nelson
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Enjoy a day trip returning to Nelson at the end of the day.
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We can arrange bus transport from our hostel to the start of the track.
Multiday Coastal Track Hikes
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The Coastal Track is a 3–5 day hike and is one-way, so we can help coordinate water taxi transport to get you back at the end of your hike.
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Stay overnight at campsites, huts, or lodges along the track.
Highlights to Explore
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Cleopatra’s Pool
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Pitt Head Lookout
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Falls River Swing Bridge
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And many more hidden gems—ask our staff for insider tips!
Website: www.doc.govt.nz
Boat Cruise
Water taxis and larger cruise boats run regular schedules covering most of the coastline. You can hop off to walk sections of the famous Coastal Track or stay onboard and enjoy breathtaking views from the water.
Wildlife is abundant—keep an eye out for playful seals and dolphins that frequent the area.
Pickup is available directly from our hostel
Tip: Check the schedules ahead to plan your day (or ask our helpful staff) to make the most of your Abel Tasman adventure.
Kayaking
Explore the stunning coastline of Abel Tasman by sea kayak—an unforgettable way to see the park.
Guided Day Trips
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Several local kayaking companies offer day trips of various lengths.
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Some tours combine kayaking with walks along the famous Coastal Track.
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Pickup is available directly from our hostel for your convenience.
Independent Kayak Rentals
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Prefer to go at your own pace? You can rent kayaks independently and explore on your own.
Multiday Adventures
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Extend your trip by staying overnight in the park at campsites, huts, or lodges.
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Perfect for travelers seeking a true Abel Tasman adventure.
Explore Nelson Lakes & Kahurangi National Parks
Nelson Lakes National Park
Best known for it's lakes, the park offers tranquil beech forest, craggy mountains, clear streams, open tussock lands & river edge clearings.
The gateway to the park is St Arnaud, a 75minute drive from Nelson. There is a great DOC information centre there which is well worth stopping at. Camping is available at Kerr Bay beside the Lake... just take some insect repellent with you and look out for the friendly Weka around the campsite.
Website: www.doc.govt.nz
Kahurangi National Park
Kahurangi is New Zealand's second largest national park. Weaving through the park, is a network of tracks from easy day walks to the very challenging, including the famous Heaphy Track. If you are planning to walk the Heaphy track The Heaphy Bus will pick you up from our Hostel and bring you back afterward. The Heaphy is open to experienced mountain bikers from May to September
Website: www.doc.govt.nz
Stay with us and store your luggage
while you walk the Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Stay in a modern yet relaxed, family run central Nelson backpackers. Our hostel is a place to relax, meet new friends and plan your next adventure or just step out into Nelson City. Cook your favourite food, listen to some great music, watch that movie you haven't seen yet.
Biking and Mountain Biking in Nelson
Bike rides in and around Nelson are varied and cater for all levels of riders.
Our friend Dave, from Biking Nelson, has the latest City Bikes and Electric Bikes which you can hire for a Half day or Full day. We have his Bikes here at our hostel, complete with helmets, gloves and break down kit. We have maps and can give you suggestions depending on your ability and the amount of time you have available.
Urban & Close to CBD
Nelson’s cycle way network has bike rides suitable for family outings and relaxed riding. Many of these urban rides link up and can be combined for longer rides.
Tasman's Great Taste Trail
Nelson to Kaiteriteri (1-4 days, 38-175km)
Tasman’s Great Taste Trail starts from the Nelson i-SITE and offers panoramic coastal views over Tasman Bay, Waimea Estuary and the Western Ranges. This trail will eventually be a loop trail.
It is an easy cycling trail where you pass vineyards, breweries, orchards and no end of places to stop and enjoy some of Nelson's finest cuisine. As a loop the trail is 174km long, but it can easily be broken down into bite sized portions
Mountain Biking
Nelson's mountain bike trails have received a gold ranking from the US-based International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)..... and Nelson is a worthy contender for the mountain bike capital of New Zealand.
The Coppermine Trail is one of the most accessible back-country alpine cycle trails in the country, it requires a good fitness level and all riders should be competent mountain bikers - a great day's ride.
Codgers Mountain Bike Park is at the first section of the Coppermine Trail, this bike park has a variety of tracks ranging from wide, flat beginner tracks to extreme downhill trails for the experts.
There are also mountain bike parks at Silvan Forest in Richmond and Kaiteriteri MTB Park.
It is possible to mountain bike the Heaphy Track in the winter months.
Thrilling Skydiving and Paragliding Options
Feel like a rush of adrenalin?........get your feet off the ground and see Nelson from the air. Our great climate and beautiful scenery make the following a great option while you are in town....
Skydiving
Free-falling from 16,500ft is just stunning, taking in views of both the North and South Islands of NZ.
If you are going to do a skydive…. this is the one to do! The only skydive company that goes to 16,500ft in the South Island with views of the Abel Tasman National Park, mountains and ocean. If this is just too much ...why not try 13,000ft or 9,000ft first.
Free Pick up from our hostel, Book at reception.
Tandem Hang Gliding
No experience necessary to do Tandem Hang Gliding. You may even get the chance to have a go at flying the glider yourself if you're keen.
The Tandem paragliding flights are longer than at other more crowded sites in NZ and the views out toward the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks and Tasman Bay are amazing.
Fly Tandem with Stew Karstens, or sign up for Lessons and learn how to harness the wind yourself. The winds are usually good on Barnicoat Hill, but ask at Reception and we can check the conditions and Book you in.
Water Sports in Nelson
With rivers, lakes and the sea on our doorstep we are surrounded by water in Nelson. As a result there are plenty of water sports to enjoy...
SUPs and Kayaking
Tahunanui Beach, is Nelson's city beach and a great place to learn to Stand Up Paddle board with Paddle Nelson
Mornings are generally ideal conditions for SUP before the afternoon sea breeze picks up.
Paddle Nelson also offer freedom kayak hire from the Beach with Single or Double Kayaks. You can explore Haulashore Island and the Nelson Haven.
They also have a family friendly Lighthouse Adventure Tour where you'll get to visit Nelson's historic Boulder Bank Lighthouse.
Sailing
Half, full and multiple day options are available in Nelson and around the Abel Tasman National Park with Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures. Book at Reception.
Also popular is the Wednesday night racing organised by the Tasman Bay Cruising Club at Nelson Marina. Walk down to the marina and invite yourself onto a boat as crew. If you want to learn to sail, Sail Nelson is a registered RYA sailing school offering accredited courses to suit your sailing skills and experience.
Kite Surfing
Tahunanui Beach is one of the best places in the country to learn to Kite Surf.
Afternoons when the wind picks up is perfect for kite surfing. Course options range from an exciting 1 Day Introduction to the 6 day long Zero to Hero course.
Nelson - Tramping and Great Walks
From easy urban walks to tramping along stunning coastal tracks and through sub tropical forests and mountain passes - Nelson has it all....
From our hostel there are City walks and bush and river walks to suit all ages and fitness levels.
The Centre of New Zealand
The Centre of New Zealand on Botanical Hill is one of Nelson’s most popular urban walks. The starting point is the Botanical Reserve, at the end of Hardy Street, or you can start at the Nelson Visitor Information Centre and follow the Maitai Walkway to the Hardy Street footbridge.
In 1870 the first rugby match in New Zealand was played at Botanics Reserve. So it has great historical significance to our rugby crazy nation! From the Reserve to the top of the hill the walk will take between 15-30 minutes and gives you a great view out over Nelson from the summit. There are several routes you can take on your way back down the hill, one heads along Sir Stanley Whitehead walk and down to Founders Brewery where you can sample a local brew.
Gateway to Great NZ Walks
There are nine Great Walks in New Zealand and the Nelson Region is lucky to have 2 of them, The Heaphy Track and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. These are premier tracks that pass through diverse and spectacular scenery.
Transport to the start of these walks is easily arranged from our Hostel, so ask our Reception staff. Stock up on tramping supplies from the many outdoor stores in Nelson before you leave. We also have cookers and utensils for hire. Ask us about free gas canisters.
