Nelson or Pohara better location for motel/hotel?

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merrysea
merrysea

My husband and I will be visiting NZ in January. After we tour the North Island, we will drive around the upper South Island for about 8 days. This will be our first time visiting NZ, so we don't know much at all about the areas. We have options to stay in either Nelson or Pohara for 3 nights. Which would be a better location as a hub while we look around that area? We will have a rental car. We are in our early 40s. We want to go kayaking in Abel Tasman, but other than that I'm not sure what else is good to see. Is there more to do in Nelson?

Thanks, Joy

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greenseat
greenseat

I would say Nelson definitely. Abel Tasman kayaking is accessed from there, and as far as I know you can't kayak to AT from Pohara. There is lots to do in and around Nelson, whereas Pohara - although a lovely spot - is a bit off the beaten track on the other side of Takaka Hill, over 2 hours driving from Nelson.
Also depends where are you headed for after that as Pohara's not on the road to anywhere and you'd have to backtrack.
Have a look at this website - it should give you a better idea of what Nelson has to offer.
http://www.nelsonnz.com/

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greenseat
greenseat

Hi merrysea
Just a thought - if you haven't booked something yet, I'd get cracking as January is high season and both of the places you've mentioned are popular destinations.

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merrysea
merrysea
In response to #2

Thanks for the info. We are actually booked in Pohara, but a place in Nelson became available. Unfortunately we will be charged $20 to cancel in Pohara. Would it be worth the $20 loss to stay in Nelson? I didn't realize that it was a 2 hour drive from Pohara to Nelson. We'lll be heading back to Auckalnd after our stay.

Thanks, Joy

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qualidade
qualidade

I would stick with Pohara.
Nelson is a small city and the major town in a fruit-growing region. Its most notable beach is Kaiteriteri, which is very crowded in January. Not far from Kaiteriteri is the access to the eastern side of Abel Tasman NP.

Pohara, is a beach about 8km from Takaka, a small town. From Takaka, you can get to Totaranui, in the west side of Abel Tasman. The Takaka/Pohara region (Golden Bay) has numerous places of interest, including trips to the end of Farewell Spit, a drive to Wharariki Beach (unswimmable but scenic), and even a longish drive from Puponga round Whanganui Inlet to the mouth of the Anatori River. It is, in my opinion, a better place to see New Zealand than is Nelson.
Golden Bay is also a very popular area for NZers on holiday.
Have a look at Google Images.

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greenseat
greenseat

I would say yes it's worth it, but then I live in Nelson:) I don't know why qualidade thinks the nearest beach is at Kaiteriteri as we have a lovely beach here in Nelson at Tahuna! We also have vineyards, olive groves and a fantastic market.
And you don't have to traverse Takaka Hill twice either.

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kereru
kereru

Pohara would drive me mad after 30 minutes!

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