If you're road-tripping between Kahurangi (Abel Tasman) National Park and the West Coast in your car or campervan, spend at least one night in St Arnaud. This tiny lakeside town sits on the edge of Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park. It may be small, but it’s incredibly beautiful and tucked far enough away from the usual road trip routes that it feels like you’re miles away from the rest of the world!

The main draw of St. Arnaud is that it’s the gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park and the best base to explore the area’s hiking trails, go skiing, or visit Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa. If you’d like an easy and accessible walk, the Bellbird Walk is a 10-minute loop through beech forest near Kerr Bay, and you’ll often hear bellbirds, fantails, and tūī. If you’re after something a little longer, the 10km Whisky Falls Track and the 9km Mount Roberts Circuit are both lovely options.

Before you reach St Arnaud, fill up on fuel and go to the supermarket. There are barely any shops in town, and the local petrol station doubles as a post office, general store, takeaway outlet, and a video rental (yes, really!).