National park · New Zealand
Nelson Lakes National Park
Entry is free — there is no gate fee. Base in St Arnaud, walk the St Arnaud Range track or Lake Rotoiti circuit in a day, and treat the Robert Ridge to Lake Angelus as a booked, weather-dependent overnight; skip it in high wind.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,020 km²394 sq mi
approximate
Established
1956
Best months
Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 1,020 km²394 sq mi
- Roughly 1,020 km² across the Rotoiti and Rotoroa catchments (check).
- Established
- 1956
- Best months
- Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Nelson
Nelson Lakes National Park protects the upper reaches of two glacial lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, ringed by greywacke peaks and southern beech forest in the Nelson Bays region of the South Island. The visitor centre and almost all short walks sit in St Arnaud at the north end of Lake Rotoiti, on State Highway 63 about 1.5 hours from Nelson and Blenheim. Beyond the day walks the park is a tramping network: roughly 20 DOC huts, the popular Angelus and Bushline huts on a booking system, and the multi-day Travers–Sabine circuit. There is no entrance fee and no vehicle gate; you pay for huts, campsites and water taxis, not for the park.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1956.
Size and age
1,020 km²394 sq mi · national park since 1956
Roughly 1,020 km² across the Rotoiti and Rotoroa catchments (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Nelson.
Why go
- Two big lakes under greywacke peaks, with beech forest down to the shoreline.
- A rare free national park: no entry gate, no ticket, no booking to walk in.
- Day walks from St Arnaud that reach a tussock ridgeline in 3–4 hours.
- A hut network that turns a day visit into a two- to seven-day tramp.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarmest, longest days; book huts and Kerr Bay early
- FebSettled weather; busiest tracks
- MarCooler, quieter, still good walking
- AprClear autumn days; snow possible on the tops
- MayCold, wet; short daylight
- JunWinter conditions; ice on the ridge
- JulColdest; alpine gear needed above the bushline
- AugSnow to low levels some years
- SepChangeable; avalanche risk on the tops
- OctShoulder season; fewer people
- NovMild, tracks drying out
- DecWarm but holiday crowds at Kerr Bay and Angelus
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native birds in the Rotoiti mainland island (kākā, bellbird, tīeke)All year · Easiest to hear and see on the pest-controlled side of Lake Rotoiti. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Longfin eels and brown trout in the lakesNov–Apr · Both grow large here; fishing is regulated. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Beech forest seeding and the bird numbers that follow itMar–May · Seeding years change where birds and predators concentrate. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| SandfliesDec–Mar · Worst near the lake shore and in damp valley forest. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Nelson
Drive State Highway 63 south to St Arnaud; no public bus, so a shuttle or your own car.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Blenheim
State Highway 63 west through the Wairau Valley to St Arnaud.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Picton
Drive via Blenheim and State Highway 63, or take a shuttle from the ferry.
2 h
Open the page →
From Westport
State Highway 6 north-east, then the Rotoroa or St Arnaud turn-off.
2 h
Open the page →
From Lake Rotoroa
Turn off State Highway 6 at Gowanbridge for the Rotoroa road end.
30 min from St Arnaud
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti north shore | Visitor centre, Kerr Bay and West Bay campsites, short nature walks and the start of the St Arnaud Range track. | Open; free. |
| Mount Robert Road and Robert Ridge | Car park above the lake, Pinchgut and Paddy's tracks, and the exposed ridge route toward Lake Angelus. | Open; the road is mostly unpaved. |
| Lake Angelus and the Travers Valley | The park's most popular backcountry destination, reached in about 6 hours from the Mount Robert car park. | Hut booking required for Angelus. |
| Lake Rotoroa and the Sabine Valley | The western lake, campsite and the start of the Travers–Sabine circuit. | Open; road end at Rotoroa. |
| Rotoiti mainland island | Pest-controlled area east of Lake Rotoiti where native birds recover. | Open on foot; follow signs. |
Sketch map
- 1St Arnaud · Town≈-41.802, 172.847Map ↗
- 2St Arnaud visitor centre · Headquarters≈-41.803, 172.846Map ↗
- 3Kerr Bay campsite · Sleep≈-41.806, 172.848Map ↗
- 4Mount Robert car park · Gate≈-41.798, 172.827Map ↗
- 5St Arnaud Range viewpoint · Viewpoint≈-41.820, 172.840Map ↗
- 6Lake Angelus Hut · Sleep≈-41.888, 172.748Map ↗
- 7Lake Rotoroa road end · Gate≈-41.795, 172.598Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entrance fee and no gate; the park is free to enter on foot. |
| Kerr Bay campsite (DOC, powered site) | NZD 25–30 | adult per night | 2026 estimate; unpowered and tent sites cost less (check). |
| West Bay campsite (DOC, summer only) | NZD 15–25 | adult per night | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Angelus Hut (booked hut) | NZD 45–70 | adult per night | 2026 estimate; higher in the summer season (check). |
| Bushline Hut (booked hut) | NZD 20–45 | adult per night | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Backcountry hut ticket (non-booked huts) | NZD 10–20 | adult per night | 2026 estimate; buy at the St Arnaud visitor centre (check). |
| Lake Rotoiti water taxi | NZD 40–120 | person | 2026 estimate; on demand, scheduled services in summer (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Angelus and Bushline huts permit or guide
Other backcountry huts permit or guide
Hunting and fishing permit or guide
Park rules
- No entrance fee or gate
- The park is free to enter on foot; you pay only for huts, campsites and transport.
- Hut bookings
- Angelus and Bushline huts must be booked in advance; other huts need a ticket bought before you walk in.
- Fires
- No open fires in the park; use the cooking facilities at campsites and huts.
- Dogs
- Not allowed in the park, including on the Rotoiti mainland island (check).check
- Drones
- Not permitted without DOC authorisation (check).check
- Rubbish
- Carry out everything you carry in; there are no bins on the tracks.
Where to stay
In the park
Kerr Bay campsite
DOC campground on the Lake Rotoiti shore with powered, unpowered and tent sites, toilets, showers and a cooking block; books out over Christmas and New Year.
In the park
West Bay campsite
Second DOC campground on Mount Robert Road, a few minutes from St Arnaud; summer only.
In the park
Lake Rotoroa campsite
DOC campground on the western lake shore at the end of the Rotoroa road.
In the park
Angelus Hut
Booked backcountry hut above the bushline; the standard overnight for the Robert Ridge route.
Near the park
St Arnaud village
Motels, a lodge with backpacker rooms and apartments, and the only restaurant in the village.
Near the park
Tophouse
Historic 1887 inn a few minutes toward Nelson, with rooms, cabins and campervan sites.
Safety
Exposed ridge travel on Robert Ridge high
Flooded rivers medium
Snow and ice at any time of year medium
Weather changes in the mountains medium
Accessibility
- The St Arnaud visitor centre, Kerr Bay and the short lakeside nature walks are reachable by car with level or gently sloping paths.
- The St Arnaud Range track, Mount Robert tracks and all backcountry routes are steep, rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the formed track above the bushline; tussock and alpine plants recover slowly.
- Use the huts and campsites rather than camping informally, and carry out all rubbish.
- Clean and dry boots and gear between valleys to avoid spreading pests and weeds.
- Support the Rotoiti mainland island work by keeping to the signed routes and not feeding birds.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nelson Lakes National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate — the park is free to enter on foot. You pay only for extras: DOC campsites (about NZ$15–30 per adult per night, 2026 estimate), booked huts such as Angelus (about NZ$45–70), hut tickets for other backcountry huts (about NZ$10–20) and water taxis on the lakes.
What are the best hikes in Nelson Lakes National Park?
For a day from St Arnaud, the St Arnaud Range track (5–6 hours return, steep) and the Lake Rotoiti circuit (6–8 hours, with a river ford at the lake head) are the two standards. The Mount Robert circuit (4–6 hours) is the easiest way onto a ridge. For an overnight, the Robert Ridge route to Lake Angelus is the classic but exposed; the Travers–Sabine circuit is the 5–7 day option.
When is the best time to visit Nelson Lakes National Park?
January to March for settled weather and long days, or November and April for fewer people. June to August is winter: ice and snow on the tops, short daylight and alpine gear needed above the bushline. Snow and ice can be found at higher elevations at any time of year.
Do I need to book huts in Nelson Lakes National Park?
Yes for the popular ones. Angelus and Bushline huts are on the DOC booking system and fill up in summer. Other huts in the network of about 20 need a ticket or pass, bought at the St Arnaud visitor centre or another DOC office before you start walking.
How do I get to Nelson Lakes National Park without a car?
There is no scheduled public bus to St Arnaud. Shuttle operators run charters from Nelson, Blenheim and Picton, and water taxis serve Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Most visitors drive: about 1.5 hours from Nelson or Blenheim on State Highway 63.
Can I walk the Robert Ridge to Lake Angelus without alpine experience?
It is not a good first alpine trip. The ridge is exposed and high, with a history of rescues and fatalities, and snow or ice can be present in any month. Go with alpine experience, a settled forecast, an emergency shelter and a personal locator beacon, or choose the St Arnaud Range track instead.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go