2025 Nelson Lakes National Park Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

#Travel to save the world Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park is a crystal clear lake surrounded by beech forest and high mountains. It is suitable for stopping to feed ducks and watch the black swans floating gracefully. The jetty is a popular photo spot and there is also a walking trail along the lake for a relaxing walk to enjoy the natural scenery. It takes about 1-2 hours to drive from the nearby city of Nelson, making it a quiet and beautiful holiday spot for families and tourists who love nature and wildlife.

#summervacay Nelson Lakes National Park is a scenic and serene destination nestled in the northern Southern Alps. It features alpine lakes like Rotoiti and Rotoroa, surrounded by beech forests and rugged peaks. In summer, hiking and kayaking are popular, with tracks like the Lake Rotoiti Circuit offering gorgeous lake and mountain views. The warmer months make camping and multi-day hikes more comfortable. With fewer tourists than other national parks, it’s a peaceful retreat for those seeking alpine beauty and backcountry adventure.

#summervacay This time, my South Island "special forces" trip from Christchurch heading north was a whirlwind 2-day, 1-night itinerary! I really packed it in, but remember, distribute your time wisely – long drives can be really dangerous. I'll be posting a summary of the whole trip later! Our first stop was Nelson Lakes, and wow, this place truly lives up to its name as a natural lake of serenity. Surrounded by magnificent mountains, the atmosphere here is incredibly peaceful. The water is also crystal clear, and yes, it's very cold! 🥶 Maybe that's because I arrived around 7 AM? Haha, I just sat there for a while, quietly taking it all in. It's a perfect spot to find some calm and connect with nature. #NelsonLakes #NewZealand #SouthIsland #SereneLake #NatureLover #TravelNZ #RoadTrip #PeacefulEscape #MountainViews 🇳🇿

In the pristine Nelson Lakes National Park in New Zealand, you'll find the clearest lake in the world - Blue Lake, or Rotomairewhenua in Maori (the Maori people consider it a sacred place, meaning "land of peaceful waters"). In 2011, scientists discovered that the lake's visibility reached 70 to 80 meters, second only to distilled water. The water source of Blue Lake comes from the nearby glacial Lake Constance, which filters suspended particles through underground channels. Both lakes are located next to Mount Franklin in Nelson Lakes National Park, and because they are located at the foot of Mount Franklin, the lake water is cold all year round, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 8 degrees Celsius. To protect the lake from pollution, swimming, bathing, drawing water, or putting any equipment (such as GoPro cameras or mobile phones) in the lake is prohibited. The best time to visit is in summer, from November to April. There are two routes to Blue Lake, the shorter route is to take a boat from Lake Rotoroa Jetty to Sabine Hut, then walk to West Sabine Hut, and then to Blue Lake Hut, where you can stay overnight. The one-way trip takes about 7 to 9 hours. You can also reach the lake by hiking (a six-day, five-night hike, taking three days to reach Blue Lake), enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Travers-Sabine Circuit along the way. In addition, Reid Helicopters offers a special helicopter tour that takes passengers to see the beauty of Blue Lake from the air.