Reefton to Nelson
Nelson Tasman Self Drive Travel Guide

  Travel Facts
Distance: 209km (129 miles)
Approximately: 2 hours 50 minutes
Road Conditions:
State Highway 69 Reefton to Inangahua Junction
Sate Highway 6 Inangahua Junction to Nelson.

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Reefton - Inangahua - Murchison - Kawatiri - Nelson.

A few minutes drive north along SH 69 through farmland river flats between the Paparoa and Victoria Ranges we come to the Inangahua Junction and our meeting with State Highway 6 to Nelson through the Upper Buller Gorge. Here we bid farewell to the Inanagahua River and follow the mighty Buller.

From the Inangahua Junction it is a short hop to the township.

 

Reefton - Inangahua - Murchison - Kawatiri - Nelson.

Inangahua

The township of Inangahua was devasted by the earthquakes of 1928 and 1967 that hit the region. The Inangahua Hall has an excellent historic display recounting the tremendous power of these two events.

At Lyell there is an interesting 90 minute return walk through the forest to a stamping battery which crushed gold-bearing quartz from the Croesus Mine. Other features along the way include a goldfield cemetery and interesting tailings (mounds of stones) left by miners after gold-bearing gravels had been sluiced away. Return the same way.

The walkway begins at the Lyell picnic and camping area, about 35 km from Murchison, the area is well sign posted.

 

Reefton - Inangahua - Murchison - Kawatiri - Nelson.

Murchison, Nelson Tasman, New Zealand

First known as Hampden, Murchison sprang to life with the discovery of gold and later grew into farming.

Another township in the region devastated on the 17th of June 1929 by an earthquake that killed 17 people as it wrenched the mountainsides blocking rivers and cutting roads. The Museum here is well worth a visit.

It is here that we say farewell to the Coast, and the glory and green that is the scenic beauty of the West Coast and Buller Region.

As the road follows the mighty Buller into the Nelson Tasman Region through farmed river flats and Beech forest to the Kawatiri Junction.

 

Reefton - Inangahua - Murchison - Kawatiri - Nelson.

At the Kawatiri Junction State Highway 68 from Nelson Lakes and Picton meets our route SH 6. There are a number of short walks in the area centered around the Historic railway.

It is at this point that we leave the Buller River behind as we begin the climb on SH 6 to the Hope Saddle and our final leg to Nelson City.

From the Hope Saddle you can get excellent views of the the Nelson Lakes Region .

From the top of the Hope Saddle State Highway 6 runs down the Motupiko River Valley to Kohatu Junction where SH 61 from Motueka meets our route SH6. The last few miles of the journey are easily and quickly covered as we pass over Spooners Saddle in the Golden Downs Forest and then passing through Belgrove and Wakefield before arriving in Nelson.

 

Reefton - Inangahua - Murchison - Kawatiri - Nelson.

Nelson City, New Zealand

Where to begin, there is just so much to experience, to see and to do in the Nelson Tasman Region.

Nelson is New Zealand's second oldest City well known for it's passion for art, seafood, horticulture, fruit and fine wine while the Classic Car museum is an iconic Nelson institution. But if it is adventure you seek then you can find that here in the region as well.

Test out your skill and ability to remain upright while kite surfing or take to the waters and explore the region from a sea kyaking adventure, you can even fly somewhat like a bird on the skywire.

With many national Parks in the immedate region Nelson is truly fun in the Sun.

Welcome to Nelson - enjoy your stay.

This Guide last Updated: February 2011