St Arnaud

New_Zealand

St Arnaud is a settlement in the Nelson Bays region in the north of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park. The locality is also known as Lake Rotoiti, which better describes this lakeside community. However, the town's official name remains St Arnaud as Lake Rotoiti (meaning "small lake" in Maori) is the name of a locality in the North Island.

Department of Conservation Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre, View Rd, +64 3 521 1806. 8AM to 4:30PM with extended hours in summer. Informative dioramas, displays, audiovisual display, updated track and weather information and advice.

  • Go walking in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Walks are available for a few minutes to a couple of weeks.
  • Ski Rainbow, The turnoff to the skifield is 5 minutes south of St Arnaud and is well signposted., +64 3 521 1861, +64 832 22605. Ski and snowboard hire and ski school available. Lift Passes up to $65.
  • The Rainbow Rage. An annual bike ride from St Arnaud to the hot springs of Hanmer Springs scheduled for 15 March 2008. 108 km through spectacular scenery.
  • Trout fishing but clean your fishing gear first!
  • Glider Flights, 10km west of St Arnaud on State Highway 63, +64 3 521 1870. $60 vouchers can be purchased for a flight of up to 15 minutes. Phone +64 3 548 3533 for a voucher
  • Ice Skating. Ask at the Visitor Centre for details.

Ski Rainbow, The turnoff to the skifield is 5 minutes south of St Arnaud and is well signposted., +64 3 521 1861, +64 832 22605. Ski and snowboard hire and ski school available. Lift Passes up to $65.

The Rainbow Rage. An annual bike ride from St Arnaud to the hot springs of [[Hanmer Springs]] scheduled for 15 March 2008. 108 km through spectacular scenery.

Glider Flights, 10km west of St Arnaud on State Highway 63, +64 3 521 1870. $60 vouchers can be purchased for a flight of up to 15 minutes. Phone +64 3 548 3533 for a voucher

  • St Arnaud Alpine Store, Main Rd, +64 3 521 1854. All the necessities including petrol. A few luxuries as well.

St Arnaud Alpine Store, Main Rd, +64 3 521 1854. All the necessities including petrol. A few luxuries as well.

Elaine's Alpine Cafe, Main Rd, +64 3 521 1979. Seasonal.

Alpine Lodge Restaurant, Main Rd, +64 3 521 1869.

The Alpine Lodge is probably your only option.

  • Murchison

For the adventurous the Rainbow Rd to Hanmer Springs poses a 4WD or mountain bike challenge. For permission (and the gate key) to travel through contact Rainbow Station: Star Holdings Limited +64 3 545 7600, fax +64 3 545 7601. Otherwise the choices are the wine and sun of Marlborough, the art and culture of Nelson or the wet and wild West Coast