Pioneering light footprint itineraries in Nelson Tasman
Posted on Monday 20 March 2023
Nelson Tasman established a pioneering itinerary of a group of Zero Carbon and Climate Positive certified businesses as keen as you to protect our wild spaces. From tourist operators, to hospitality and accommodation providers, these environmental guardians are offering feel-good-guilt-free experiences in the region. Here’s just a few of the sixteen businesses proudly offsetting their carbon.
In Nelson city, you’ll find The Free House, a converted church and the first climate-positive pub in the country. They offer up a wide range of delicious craft brews and they even have their own micro-brewery on site. Trying to buy a beverage produced less than 100 kilometres away? At The Free House it’s more like 10 paces.
Connecting the outskirts of Nelson city with the country roads of Tasman, The Gentle Cycling Company pairs cycling tours on the Great Taste Trail with food and wine producers just off it. Offering single and multi-day tours or bike hire only options, nothing beats pedal power and a gourmet picnic (BYO) to explore the Nelson Tasman coast and countryside.
The Great Taste Trail’s most western point is Motueka and it’s just a short journey from there to the famous Kaiteriteri alcove where Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures is based. Offering a wide range of tours for you to enjoy, sailing the Abel Tasman National Park, Tasman Bay or Nelson Harbour is a great way to immerse yourself in the waters Nelson Tasman is loved for.
A hop, skip and a jump from Kaiteriteri is Mārahau. All operators in the area have collaborated to create the Mārahau Pledge; a zero-carbon promise to protect and preserve. The pledge is all the more important, considering Mārahau is the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. Jump aboard the Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi or opt for a kayaking and walking tour with Abel Tasman Kayaks for front row seats to all the park has to offer - from golden sand beaches, beautiful walking trails, to exploring waterfalls and canyons with Abel Tasman Canyons.
Cable Bay Adventure Park is only 15 minutes north of Nelson city and offers a whole host of activities including a treetop sky-wire, archery, quad biking and paintball. Catch your breath long enough to enjoy homemade food from their onsite café before you head off onto their mountain bike trails for stunning views of the bay.
Click the button below to find out more about our light footprint itineraries, and to start crafting your own do-good feel-good trip to Nelson Tasman.
