Image: Christine Riggle | Creative Commons
Waimea Inlet.
Waimea Basin walking tracks

Located in Nelson area in the Nelson/Tasman region

Enjoy a walk in the plains or low hills around Nelson or Motueka — an area known as the Waimea Basin.

Eves Valley Scenic Reserve

Time: 20 min return

Eves Valley is off Waimea West Road, 27 km from Nelson.

This little reserve in Eves Valley is a regenerating beech-podocarp forest covering 28 hectares. The reserve has many picnic areas, good access to the stream and a scenic 20-minute bush walk.

Camping is prohibited. Fires may only be lit in the fireplaces provided.

Snowdens Bush Scenic Reserve

The reserve is on Waimea West Road, just west of Brightwater, 21 km from Nelson.

Although severely modified, this reserve is an example of a forest type that once covered much of the Waimea Plains. It is dominated by totara, titoki and matai, and since grazing was stopped in 1972, a varied understorey has developed.

This 5.6 hectare reserve is a popular picnic and recreation area, with several paths meandering through the forest.

Camping is prohibited. Fires may only be lit in the fireplaces provided.

Hope Saddle

Hope Saddle  is on State Highway 6.75 km south of Nelson.

In 1871, a winding, precipitous track was cut through the bush over Hope Saddle. In 1879 the first horse drawn vehicles started using it, as part of the route from Nelson to Westport. At the saddle today, travellers can stop for a while and enjoy the views of forests and mountains. There is a shelter and toilet; interpretation signs and picnic tables are provided at two viewing points.
  • Be wary of sudden weather changes.
  • If boating in Waimea Inlet, time your trip with the tides.
  • Light fires only in designated areas.

Waimea Inlet is popular for fishing, whitebaiting, water-skiing, sea kayaking, jogging, walking, duck hunting, dog exercising (in some places only) and bird watching. Bird watching is best on the north-eastern corner of Bells Island at high tide during the summer season, when there are many northern hemisphere migratory birds present.