KAITERITERI, NZ
The Ultimate Travel Guide
Kaiteriteri, located at the foot of New Zealand’s Abel Tasman National Park is quite something else. A quaint seaside holiday town with golden-sand beaches, it’s easy to see why Kaiteriteri is one of the top hidden gems in New Zealand. The village has since forever been one of the South Island’s classic holiday hotspots, and in the summer is filled to the brim with holidaymakers. There is so much to see, do and explore in Kaiteriteri and this guide to Kaiteriteri has everything you need!
My Ultimate Travel Guide to Kaiteriteri has everything you need to know before visiting Kaiteriteri and make the most out of your trip. I cover everything, including the best places to eat, play and stay in Kaiteriteri and every reason why you should visit this absolutely gorgeous hidden gem!
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What’s in this Guide? Table of Contents >>>
- Before you Go
- Why Visit Kaiteriteri
- Where is Kaiteriteri & How to Get There
- When to visit Kaiteriteri
- Eat, Stay & Play
- Things to do in Kaiteriteri
- Where to Stay in Kaiteriteri
- Places to Eat in Kaiteriteri
- Plan Your Trip Now!
Why Visit Kaiteriteri!?
Dubbed by The Guardian as boasting one of the top 5 beaches in the world, there are so many reasons to visit Kaiteriteri! For one thing, its secluded location is one reason in itself. Pristine golden-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters beckon for visitors to unwind. It just depends whether relaxation for you comes in the form of adventure, doing nothing or getting pampered.
Kaiteriteri has something to do for everyone, from sun-drenched days spent basking on the beach to water activities like sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding. In summer, pitch a tent or park your campervan, it is one of the absolute best places to go camping in New Zealand! Kaiteriteri is super family friendly too, and the beach couldn’t be more safe; plus there’s heaps of easy walking tracks, a great playground and mini golf.
The Abel Tasman is by far the most popular National Park in New Zealand, and Kaiteriteri is the perfect base for exploring it. While many choose to hike the entire 60km Abel Tasman Track, it is one of few NZ Great Walks you can explore by day. Catch an Abel Tasman water-taxi and hike segments of the trail every day, giving more time to unwind on New Zealand’s most beautiful Great Walk.
Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in the beauty and serenity that Kaiteriteri offers – it will for sure be an unforgettable escape. Kaiteriteri is a captivating destination that promises a truly remarkable kiwi summer holiday experience!
Where is Kaiteriteri & How to Get There
As said, Kaiteriteri is a small holiday village nestled just below the Abel Tasman National Park. Facilities are minimal and there is one road in and out.
- Motueka to Kaiteriteri: 20 Minutes
- Nelson to Kaiteriteri: 45 Minutes
- Blenheim to Kaiteriteri: 2.5 Hours
- Christchurch to Kaiteriteri: 5.5 Hours
There are many ways to get to Kaiteriteri. The easiest by far is by car, however, there is also a bus to Kaiteriteri running from Nelson/Motueka, however services vary in Winter and Summer. A car however allows you to be flexible and enjoy the ultimate Abel Tasman Road Trip. Another Way of Getting to Kaiteriteri is by cycling. The great taste trail finishing point is at Kaiteriteri, and is the perfect place to wrap up your Abel Tasman Cycling adventure!
When to Visit Kaiteriteri
Kaiteriteri is a great place to visit all year round. It offers some of the best NZ summer weather, however when the crowds disappear in winter, Kaiteriteri can still be just as stunning. The best time to visit Kaiteriteri is in the late Spring, or Autumn/Late Summer (My Preference). The sea is warmer and you avoid the huge crowds of campers that flock to Kaiteriteri for their annual summer pilgrimage. The Weather in Kaiteriteri is relatively sunny all year round (Nelson and the Tasman is NZ’s most sunniest region after all), but when it does rain here it pours!
| HIGH | SHOULDER | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| December – March | November & April/May | May – October |
| Crowds converse over the New Zealand Summer Holidays, Long Weekends and Christmas; the Kaiteriteri Camping Ground and Campervan Sites sell out months in advance, and the beach is packed to the brim with kiwis! | Warm waters and quieter crowds make Kaiteriteri a dream to visit. The surrounding flora and fauna in the Abel Tasman is at its most vibrant and there’s better availability with all of summer’s amenities! | Despite the perception of small NZ beach towns like Kaiteriteri being put to sleep over winter, it is one of the best places in NZ for Winter Sun. Direct sun hits first thing in the morning and cheap holiday houses are aplenty |
Things to Do in Kaiteriteri
There’s plenty to do in Kaiteriteri for everyone, and it is a hive for water and outdoor activities. However, if you’re more one for some well-deserved R&R, relaxing on Kaiteriteri’s beach will by far be enough to suffice.
The Beach & Water Activities
The absolute best thing to see in Kaiteriteri is by far its stunning beach, one of my absolute favourites in NZ! However, beyond Kaiteriteri Beach, there’s plenty to do on the water too! All-year round Kaiteriteri Kayaks offer a range of 3 hour to full day trips up the coast from Kaiteriteri. You’ll stop off at the likes of Split Apple Rock and more of the best Abel Tasman beaches along the way. Hiring Kayaks and Paddleboards to explore at your own pace is another option too. You could explore uniquely by Maori Waka too with Abel Tasman Waka offering trips from Kaiteriteri!
Hiking & Biking
Kaiteriteri isn’t just for water-lovers however, there’s heaps of outdoor activities in Kaiteriteri on land too! There are plenty of great walks here, some of the best walks in Kaiteriteri include Withells Hill, Stephens Bay and Kaka Point. Each track has amazing lookouts and views too! In the hills behind, you’ll be able to find excellent Mountain Biking (there’s also Bike Hire in Kaiteriteri too). Lastly, Kaiteriteri is the finishing point for the Great Taste Trail, which runs 64km through the Tasman’s Vineyard and Orchard Country. (Read More About the Great Taste Trail and what the Tasman Region offers in my guide to Things to Do For Foodies!)
Explore the Abel Tasman National Park
However, I can’t go without mentioning the fact of the Tasman Region’s biggest attraction just up the road. Kaiteriteri is the perfect base for the Abel Tasman National Park. If you plan to hike the entire 60km, spend a day or two in Kaiteriteri before or after you embark. One of the other best things to do in Kaiteriteri however is to do an Abel Tasman Day-Trip. There are multiple Sea Shuttles from Kaiteriteri, which enable you to get dropped off and picked up from a range of points along the trail. You can also catch the boat to spend an afternoon at a more private beach. An afternoon trip to Anchorage is very popular with families and a must do; it is one of the best day trips from Nelson as well!
Fun for the Whole Family
Kaiteriteri is a great destination for families, especially those very young. In fact this has always been one of my family’s absolute favourite places to visit in New Zealand ever since I was super little. Kaiteriteri is very safe and they have great facilities. Camp here or book the Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments for a few nights, while the kids can spend all day making the most of Kaiteriteri’s beach just accross the road or excellent playground and mini golf too. Kaiteriteri has many easy short walks for families too and the estuary at high tide (pictured) is a very safe swimming spot.
Where to Stay in Kaiteriteri
Kaiteriteri is arguably one of the best places to go camping in New Zealand! It’s a kiwi summer dream here, and no wonder so many flock to Kaiteriteri to soak up the sun. However if you need a bit more than just a tent or campervan, Kaiteriteri has plenty of places to stay for that too. I highly recommend the Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments, I spent a week here in July and they have incredible amenities with some ridiculously stunning views! There’s an abundance of excellent holiday homes in Kaiteriteri too, and they’re perfect for a longer getaway or if bringing the whole family. However, if you’re one for luxury, check out Kaiteriteri’s Kimi Ora Eco Resort. See my list of the best places to stay in Kaiteriteri below; (Image ©booking.com)
- Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments (Best for Families)
- Kaiteriteri Reserve Cabins (Best for Glamping)
- Kimi Ora Eco Resort (Best for Luxury)
- Kaiteriteri Beach Lodge (Best for Budget)
- Kaiteriteri Apartments & Holiday Homes (Best for Holiday Houses)
Places to Eat in Kaiteriteri
Kaiteriteri is kind of located in what feels like the middle of nowhere, and supplies here are limited. There is a small shop, the waterfront restaurant/cafe open throughout the day, a really good takeaway – GoneBurgers (open only in summer), and the beached whale pub. However as almost all accommodation options are self-catering I wouldn’t worry too much. Motueka is 20 minutes down the road and offers more restaurants and multiple large supermarkets.
Plan Your Trip Now!
If the crystal clear waters and pure-golden sand beaches of Kaiteriteri and the Abel Tasman aren’t enough to entice, I really don’t know what is. Kaiteriteri in my opinion is one of the coolest hidden gems in New Zealand, and is home to the most incredible beach and vistas. Getting to Kaiteriteri is not that hard and only a 45 minute drive north of Nelson, a route on almost every New Zealand Road-Trip. As for what to do in Kaiteriteri, explore its natural beauty by land or sea or just simply relax and soak up the sun!
Every traveller needs to get Kaiteriteri on their New Zealand Bucket List now; and I could drone on all day about how much I love this slice of paradise! There is so much more however to the Abel Tasman region too, and I highly recommend checking out some more of my travel guides to this jaw-dropping region!
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