The gateway to Nelson Lakes is St Arnaud, a 1-2 hour drive from Nelson or Blenheim.

Public roads provide access to much of the area but remember to seek permission from landowners if need to cross private land.

It includes the headwaters and some tributaries of the Wairau, Motueka and Buller Rivers.

Some good hunting areas are available ranging from dry mixed beech forest in the east through to the wetter podocarp forests of Kahurangi National Park and the Victoria Forest Park in the west.

Vast open tops are significant throughout the area with some good red deer and chamois hunting to be had in these environments. Pigs are present in some areas with heavier concentrations in the lighter cover and bush/farm pasture margins. Feral goats are also present in some locations.

Climate

Extreme weather conditions can be encountered year round and good fitness levels and bush skills are necessary for traversing much of the terrain.

There may be avalanche danger 

Nelson Lakes National Park has a variety of avalanche paths in the Travers, Sabine, Matakitaki and numerous side valleys. For information on current avalanche danger, refer to the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
2. Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory before you go.
3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.