Nelson Lakes - home to Lake Rotoiti and the incredible longfin eel

A remote drive south of Nelson at the top of the South Island, takes you through rolling farmland to the secluded Nelson Lakes. A region usually excluded from many a tourists itinerary it’s the perfect spot to find that perfect piece of seclusion and uncover protected native bushland, pristine lakes and numerous walking trails. There really isn’t much more to do here except get out in the great outdoors and uncover some incredible scenery.

St Arnaud is the main base - a village positioned invitingly at the north end of Lake Rotoiti. A variety of hiking tracks for all abilities leave from here and they are all well sign-posted. These include the lovely Brunner Peninsula Nature Walk that I heartily recommend as an introduction to New Zealand bush, it runs along the lakeside and you have a pretty good chance of spotting some local birdlife…..of the Tui and Bellbird kind of course.

Before setting out on the walk take a moment to step out on the wooden jetty that stretches out into the lake. Peer down into the clear water below to spot dozens of New Zealand Longfin Eels meandering about. Endemic to New Zealand these amazing creatures live for up to, and well over, 100 years, before leaving the lake and somehow migrating all the way back to Tonga. Here they reproduce their off-spring and with their lives work seemingly complete they die. How the off spring find their way, alone, all the way back to Lake Rotoiti remains one of lives wonders……