Transport Nelson Tasman

Arriving by Air

Nelson Airport is the fourth busiest commercial airport in New Zealand, and flights operate from 6 am to 10pm pm daily with more than 66 arrivals and departures to and from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch aboard Q300 Bombardier 50-seater aircraft. 

Scenic flights offered by Remote Adventures - You may bring your MTB on board - flights to Takaka, Karamea, Heaphy Track http://www.goldenbayflights.co.nz/

In addition, there are scheduled flights on light aircraft between Nelson and Paraparaumu, and between Takaka and Wellington, Palmerston North and Karamea.

Direct flight times	Approximate direct flying times (mins)
Auckland to Nelson City	80
Wellington to Nelson City	35
Christchurch to Nelson City	50
Paraparaumu to Nelson City	45
Wellington to Takaka	50
Palmerston North to Takaka (Dec-Apr)	65
Karamea to Takaka	40

Arriving by sea

Regular Cook Strait ferries provide vehicle and passenger access between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. Two primary ferry companis are the Interislander and Bluebridge. Regular coach services connect Nelson and the inter-island ferry services at Picton.

Ferry crossing times	approximate sailing times
Wellington to Picton (Interislander)	3 hours
Wellington to Picton (Bluebridge Service)	3 hours 20 min

Arriving by road

Many visitors drive to Nelson as part of a South Island tour. Good roads connect Nelson to the West Coast via the Kahurangi National Park, Blenheim and Christchurch via the Lewis Pass. Whether you travel to Nelson through Murchison or follow the Kaikoura coast you will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Nelson Tasman region is well serviced by coaches operating into and around the region.

Driving times	km	driving time
Blenheim to Nelson City	117	1 hr 45 mins
Picton to Nelson City	144	2 hrs
Westport to Nelson City	266	3 hrs 15 mins
Christchurch to Nelson City	424	6 hrs

Getting Around Nelson Tasman

For the intrepid independent traveller, getting around the Nelson Tasman region is easy. However, one tip is to take care when driving over the amazing Takaka Hill between Motueka and Golden Bay.

The compact city of Nelson is located in the north-east corner of the region. From here, exploring the region is easy - whether you are heading west towards the Abel Tasman National Park andGolden Bay, south towards Murchison, or anywhere in between.

Three national parks are all within 90 minutes drive from the city. The Abel Tasman National Parkmay be accessed from the southern gateway of Marahau or at the northern gateways near Takaka in Golden Bay. Nelson Lakes National Parkmay be accessed from St. Arnaud. The vast Kahurangi National Park may be accessed from several points from Golden Bay to Murchison.

	km	driving time (mins)
Nelson city to Mapua	33	30
Nelson city to Motueka	51	50
Motueka to Kaiteriteri	14	20
Motueka to Marahau	18	30
Motueka to Takaka	58	60
Nelson city to Takaka	109	90
Takaka to Collingwood	27	35
Nelson city to St Arnaud	109	90
Nelson city to Murchison	129	90

Source http://www.nelsonnz.com/getting-here-a-around