What to do and see in Saint Arnaud, South Island: The Best Things to do

March 1, 2022 Tynisha Seiler

Saint Arnaud is a small alpine village located in the north of New Zealand's South Island, west of the mountains of the Saint Arnaud Range and 90 kilometres southwest of Nelson near the historic Tophouse Settlement.

1. Mount Robert Circuit

Mount Robert Road Nelson Lakes National Park, Saint Arnaud New Zealand +64 3-521 1806 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/1376542193f241c884716ace903cf85d.aspx
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5.0 based on 25 reviews

Mount Robert Circuit

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.

Reviewed By waiake1 - Auckland, New Zealand

This hike is a bit more strenuous than it looks at first. The trickiest part was the ending as there had been a few avalanches and the trails were washed away and had been rebuilt. The temperature changes greatly from the start to the top and you should bring slayed clothing to take off and put on. The views are fantastic and I would recommend this to anyone who has hiked a bit. Hiking boots are recommended.

2. Travers-Sabine Circuit

Kerr Bay Road Nelson Lakes National Park, Saint Arnaud New Zealand +64 3-521 1806 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/86358329fa21453ea11162abc4a83b77.aspx
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Travers-Sabine Circuit

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.

3. St Arnaud Range Track

Saint Arnaud New Zealand https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/nelson-lakes-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/st-arnaud-range-track/
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

St Arnaud Range Track

Reviewed By Earthie33 - Perth, Australia

We walked the St Arnaud Range Track in late December. The walk starts in the beech forest and gradually gets steeper and steeper and steeper. The track is a bit tricky with lots of tree roots and loose rocks so hiking boots with good grip are recommended. We found this walk HARD. It is steep uphill the whole way with no relief. Saying that though, the views at the top are worth it. We are quite unfit but we made it eventually - it took us 6 hours compared to the 5 hours on the sign at the start, but a lot of people overtook us and completed it much faster.

4. Rainbow Ski Area

1680 Rainbow Road, Saint Arnaud New Zealand +64 3-521 1861 [email protected] http://www.skirainbow.co.nz
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4.5 based on 35 reviews

Rainbow Ski Area

The Southern Alps of the South Island are host to a number of superb ski resorts. One of the most beautiful and best value is Rainbow Ski Area near St Arnaud, high in the north of this great mountain chain within the world famous Nelson/Marlborough lifestyle region. Reaching a height of over 1760 metres, Rainbow captures regular winter snow, complemented by extensive snow making, all superbly groomed to create a stunning winter playground. The wide uncrowded slopes and well groomed trails provide superb terrain for beginners and intermediates while advanced skiers can challenge themselves in the high powder runs and chutes. Snowboarders love the varied terrain, jumps, bumps and drops. A terrain park has been developed, offering more thrills & spills for adventurous boarders and skiers.

Reviewed By PieterS90 - Nelson, New Zealand

I went with a friend for a drive to the rainbow ski fields. It wasn’t the season yet for skiing. We want to see the beautiful views and we were very lucky it just been snowing. We were greeted by a lovely young man said can I help you.I just want to look around and he said by all means. We had a lovely time walking around and playing with the snow. I definitely want to come back here again.

5. Lake Rotoiti

Saint Arnaud 7072 New Zealand +64 3-521 1806 http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/nelson-lakes-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/lake-rotoiti-walking-tracks/
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4.5 based on 147 reviews

Lake Rotoiti

Reviewed By Axle_Twix - Upper Hutt, New Zealand

My wife and i walked from our lodge to the lakeside, taking around 20 minutes each way. Its not a hard walk but there is an uphill slope on your return. Stunning place, little playground for the kids and plenty of room to play ball. There is a raft for diving off 15m offshore if its a good day for swimming. The eels at the waters edge just under the wharf were something different. I was standing on the boat ramp when I took these pictures.

6. Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

View Road, Saint Arnaud 7053 New Zealand +64 3-521 1806 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/09e4a9dc2578433eabb9670c0794579b.aspx
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4.5 based on 41 reviews

Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

Reviewed By melanies123 - Nelson, New Zealand

Really expert knowledge and advice from DOC staff about the area. Large selection of postcards, shop for gifts, extensive local museum, maps, toilets, parking.

7. Teetotal Mountain Bike Tracks

1.5km west of St Arnaud on State Highway 63, Saint Arnaud New Zealand http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/nelson-lakes-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/teetotal-mountain-bike-tracks/
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Teetotal Mountain Bike Tracks

8. Speargrass Track

Mount Robert Road Nelson Lakes National Park, Saint Arnaud New Zealand +64 3-521 1806 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/f482878bd6414cabb762e1e97b9b2b1d.aspx
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.

Reviewed By Myhikingadventures - Perth, Australia

Well worth the hike upto speargrass hut and back to Mt Robert car park. The view of mount Robert is fantastic and the track itself is easy-going and well maintained. For a taste of what Nelson Lakes has to offer, the Speargrass Track is a good starter.

9. Lake Rotoiti Circuit

Lake Road Nelson Lakes National Park, Saint Arnaud New Zealand +64 3-521 1806 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/27816c1faab14bbf8b495a0b3e2b491d.aspx
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4.5 based on 3 reviews

Lake Rotoiti Circuit

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.

Reviewed By 422iana - Dunedin, New Zealand

Travelling with a 7 year old, an 8 year old and a 70 year old the circuit follow the lake, but is a little up and down and even in summer is in patches wet and has tree stumps across the path. Took about 4 hrs on the first day going down the east side and arriving at the hut at about 6 after setting off at about 1. Few stops for a swim. The hut was busy as two tour groups were there, but they were camping thankfully otherwise we would have not fitted in. Second day we crossed the river, slow and only up to my knees, with a couple of stream crossings. Make sure you go off the track to see the waterfall. Ran the last 3km to get the car as the kids were tired. Beautiful views and great to swim in the lake. Look for the big eels at the main warf.

10. Brunner Peninsula Nature Walk

Kerr Bay, Saint Arnaud New Zealand
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4.5 based on 5 reviews

Brunner Peninsula Nature Walk

Reviewed By Sandeep65Gupta - London, United Kingdom

This walk was fantastic. We started from Kerr Bay on Lake Rotoiti. There is plenty of parking available. It is an easy walk along the lake, linking Kerr Bay to West Bay. It around 1 hour, one way. Wear sensible shoes, but no climbing is involved.

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