Nelson - Picton

This charming route offers every incentive to dawdle along the way. Get sidetracked by apple orchards, vineyards and funky cafés. Explore smokehouses and studios, artisans’ workshops and specialty boutiques. Break out your camera in the stunning Marlborough Sounds, and more than anything, take in the amazing natural world around you.

Imagine standing on a shaky swingbridge 17 metres above a flowing river… You can do this at the Buller Gorge Swingbridge, in Murchison. At 110 metres long and 17 metres high, this swingbridge is New Zealand's longest. If you dare to stop halfway along, it's a great place to take photos of the Buller River and its pink granite gorges.

The swingbridge isn't the only thrilling activity here. In fact, the Buller Gorge has more than its fair share of adventure activities. You can ride a 160-metre flying fox over the Buller River, and experience the spectacular scenery and blood-rushing exhilaration of a jet-boat trip. And, with Murchison being the self-proclaimed ‘white-water capital of New Zealand', you can bet that some of the best white-water rafting and kayaking awaits you here.

If you'd rather leave the thrill-seeking to the daredevils, then cross the swingbridge and head out on one of the fantastic walks in the area. Or, try your hand at gold panning – it just might be your lucky day!

It might sound like an ancient farewell custom of dubious etiquette, and it certainly doesn't sound like something you'd encourage your children to do, but Farewell Spit is actually a site of international ecological importance and a fantastic family adventure.

Known by Maori as Onetahua – meaning 'heaped up sand' – Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland with incredible rolling sand dunes and over 90 bird species. The thin claw–like stretch of land bids farewell to the northernmost point of the South Island, curling into the Tasman Sea and forming the northern side of Golden Bay.

Around 35km long, public access is restricted to the first 4km, however organised tours can take you further along the stretch of sand. Tours include the opportunity to jump off a sand dune, visit the lighthouse and witness the gannet colony. The Spit is so long and the waters shallow that Pilot Whales frequently strand themselves along the south side.

To say the Spit is special would be an understatement. In fact it's so special that it's number one on New Zealand's list of locations to be nominated for World Heritage status. Farewell Spit is more strictly protected than a National Park, with vehicle access granted only to supervised tours – so why not find out for yourself the unique allure of this natural landmark?

Mussels are on the menu in Havelock – the town is best known as the 'Green-shell Mussel Capital of the World'. So, it's only right that they have a party to celebrate this great honour! The Havelock Mussel Festival, held every March, is a fantastic day with something to treat all your senses.

Of course, you can taste these mouth-watering mussels in every way, shape and form, be shown how to cook them up yourself and learn about how they are grown. If you've got a competitive streak, show everyone what you're made of by entering one of the competitions – there's mussel opening, mussel munching, mussel hurtling and mussel tossing.

But it's not just about the mussels the entertainment at this festival makes for an awesome day out.

Encompassing one-sixth of New Zealand's total coastline, the wild and majestic Marlborough Sounds were made for cruising. A maze of deep coves and secluded bays fringed by native forest, the Sounds provide an unspoilt wilderness to enjoy an array of different types of cruises – there's something everyone will enjoy.

To see rare birds, dolphins, penguins and seals, join an eco-tour cruise and sail to the outer Sounds for close encounters with wildlife. It's likely that you'll even see endangered species such as the Hector's, dusky and bottlenose dolphins.

Mussel and salmon farms are common in the Sounds, and you can take cruises to see how the mussels are grown and harvested, taste fresh mussels straight from the sea, and enjoy them with a glass of wine – sauvignon blanc of course! Or if you're a keen fisherman, you'll love the fishing cruises here.

A variety of sightseeing cruises are also available, with everything from joining the local mail run to twilight dinner cruises and private charters.

Many a Nelson holiday has been scheduled around a visit to the Nelson Saturday Market. It is here that you can experience the original creative spirit of the Nelson Tasman region in one happening place.

Nelson is well known for two things – its vibrant arts scene and abundance of fresh produce. Therefore, there's nowhere better than the markets to sample the two in perfect harmony.

Prowl the lanes between the hundreds of stalls for Nelson's best; fresh vegetables, breads, fruit, cheeses, gourmet dips, smoked seafood, woodwork, jewellery, ceramics, visual art, fashion, crafts, treasure, furniture. Treat yourself at the food stalls!

The Nelson Saturday Market is held every Saturday 8am–1pm (except holidays) in Montgomery Square. If you're not about on a Saturday, there are plenty of other markets worth checking out.

The Farmers' Market at Founders Heritage Park on Fridays (3–7pm during summer and 3–6pm during winter) and the Sunday Motueka Market are definitely worth a visit.

Follow the Wainui Falls Track in Golden Bay and discover a secreat waterfall revealed via a 35-minute walk through a forest of nikau palms, rata trees and ferns. Before you get there, enjoy the walk that encompasses farmland, granite and a narrow footbridge across the Wainui River.

The Salisbury Bridge, a historical footbridge, is a popular attraction. After gingerly walking across it and admiring the views of the river below, you will find a short track down to the river, and a beautiful swimming and picnic spot.

The Rawhiti Cave, approximately 15 minutes' drive from Takaka, is well worth a visit. After an hour's walk from the car park, you'll reach this amazing cave with thousands of pretty coloured stalagmites hanging from it's huge roof.