Richmond

Day Trips

Begin the day with a sunrise hike along the Mount Richmond Track, breathing in crisp forest air and spotting native birds among the canopy. The trail meanders through beech and rimu trees, offering occasional views over Richmond and Tasman Bay. Pause at a clearing for a light breakfast and a panoramic photo opportunity of the surrounding peaks.

Descend into a fern-filled valley and follow a bubbling creek as your guide shares stories of Māori history and local ecology. Stop for a picnic lunch beside a cascading waterfall and maybe paddle your feet in the cool water. Continue exploring moss-covered rock walls before returning to Richmond for a rest.

Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant in town to taste locally sourced lamb and fresh produce. Attend a guided stargazing session just outside Richmond to marvel at the Milky Way from a dark-sky reserve. Cap the night with a warming cup of locally roasted coffee or herbal tea back at your accommodation.

Drive out to the Riwaka Resurgence where crystal-clear springs bubble up from limestone caves. Wade into the shallow pool to feel the pure water and watch trout dart among the rocks. Enjoy a packed breakfast by the spring while listening to native fantail and tui calls.

Head down to the nearby Riwaka River for a guided kayak tour, paddling through lush riverbanks and spotting eels and freshwater crayfish. Break for lunch riverside and try your hand at soft-shell crayfish fishing under expert instruction. Explore hidden swim holes where you can cool off beneath overhanging ferns.

Return to Richmond for a lively craft brewery dinner featuring local pale ales and a seasonal pizza menu. Join a twilight river cruise along the Waimea Inlet to watch the sun dip below the hills. Finish the evening at a cozy pub with live acoustic music and regional wine by the glass.

Set out early for Teapot Valley Recreation Area, weaving through pine forests and granite boulders on a gentle loop walk. Photograph streams tumbling over mossy rocks and spot long-tailed bats at dawn. Taste freshly baked muffins at a riverside picnic spot while breathing in the earthy scent of native bush.

Continue to Teapot Valley Saddle for sweeping views of the Motueka River valley before descending to the historic campsite. Enjoy a lakeside lunch alongside anglers casting for trout in the clear water. Try your luck at fly-fishing or take a short side hike to a fern grotto hidden in the cliffs.

Return to Richmond for dinner at a boutique bistro specializing in Pacific-inspired cuisine and fresh seafood. Attend an outdoor film screening in a garden courtyard for a relaxed night under the stars. Sample local ice cream with unusual flavors like feijoa and kanuka honey to end the evening on a sweet note.

Depart early for Kaiteriteri Beach and walk along golden sands as the sun rises over Abel Tasman National Park. Stop for a beachside smoothie bowl topped with local fruit and seeds. Dip your toes in the turquoise waters and feel the afternoon sunshine build.

Charter a small boat to reach secluded coves and overhead sea caves for an immersive kayaking tour. Snorkel among coastal reefs, spotting crayfish hiding in crevices and schools of koheru fish. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a deserted beach before returning via scenic coastal trail.

Drive back to Richmond with a sunset stop at Mapua Wharf for seafood chowder and locally smoked mussels. Browse artisan stalls selling ceramics and hand-woven textiles as the lights come on over the marina. Head home to relax with a glass of Marlborough sauvignon blanc while listening to recorded seabird calls.

Take a scenic drive to Ruby Bay and begin your cellar-door trail at a boutique winery overlooking Tasman Bay. Learn about sustainable viticulture as you walk through sun-dappled rows of vines. Sample crisp sauvignon blanc paired with homemade artisan bread and local olives.

Continue to a second vineyard to taste chardonnay and pinot gris among verdant grounds. Enjoy a chef-prepared grazing platter on a vine-covered terrace, with panoramic views of the bay. Participate in a blending workshop to create your own custom wine label to take home.

Return to Richmond for a farm-style dinner at a restored homestead, complete with wood-fired pizza and garden-to-table salads. Relax by an outdoor firepit with a late-harvest dessert wine, roasting marshmallows as night falls. Share stories with fellow travelers under fairy lights strung overhead.

Head inland to Lake Rotoiti for a guided walk along the lakeshore through red beech forests. Pause for a light brunch at a rustic lakeside lodge, enjoying mountain views. Keep an eye out for wild robin and kaka among the branches.

Join a small group for a guided canoe trip across the lake, landing at a remote beach for lunch. Visit the historic Kerr Bay Shelter and learn stories of early European settlers. Explore short bush tracks to hidden viewpoints overlooking the Southern Alps.

Dine at a waterfront restaurant in Saint Arnaud, sampling trout fresh from the lake. Drive back to Richmond with a stop at a country pub for live folk music. Wind down with herbal tea back at your accommodation, listening to distant calls of kiwi on the wind.

Begin at a family-run vineyard nestled in the rolling Moutere Hills, touring their organic olive groves and beehives. Sample mead and olive oil alongside pinot noir during a tasting session. Enjoy a picnic breakfast under a spreading oak tree.

Cycle through scenic backroads to the next winery, passing apple orchards and lavender fields. Arrive for a wood-oven pizza lunch paired with a crisp riesling. Join a guided tour of the wine-making facilities and chat with the winemaker about barrel aging.

Return to Richmond and attend a pop-up chef’s table event in a hidden garden courtyard. Taste a multi-course menu featuring locally foraged mushrooms and cured meats. End the evening sipping fortified wine by a fire lantern glow.

Stroll through the Richmond Heritage Walk, discovering restored cottages and heritage architecture. Pop into galleries showcasing local painters and sculptors. Stop at a café housed in a 19th-century schoolhouse for freshly baked pastries.

Visit the Lumen Museum to learn about pioneers and local gold-rush history. Have lunch at a riverside bistro famous for its seasonal fish and chips. Shop the Richmond Mall for handcrafted souvenirs, ceramics, and specialty foods.

Attend a theatre performance at the local community centre or an outdoor concert in Civic Park. Dine on a fusion menu at a top-rated town restaurant, trying dishes like wild venison carpaccio. Cap the night with a spirits tasting at a boutique gin distillery.

Meet your guide at the Richmond wharf for a safety briefing and equipment check before paddling out onto Tasman Bay. Glide past tidal mudflats where oyster farmers tend to racks studded with glistening shellfish. Stop at a sheltered inlet to enjoy a packed breakfast and watch oyster catchers probe the sand.

Continue paddling to Moturoa Island, searching for little blue penguins returning from fishing. Land on a pebble beach for a beachside barbecue of fresh local seafood. Explore hidden grottos and rock arches by kayak, marveling at the interplay of light and water.

Return to Richmond for a seafood cook-your-own experience at a waterfront shed, grilling paua and blue cod over charcoal. Share stories around a driftwood firepit as night falls. Sip on local cider and toast the stars reflected on the bay.

Collect mountain bikes and head to the Roding Valley Reserve for an adrenaline-fuelled start to the day. Tackle flowy singletrack through beech forest, feeling the wind in your face as you descend. Pause for breakfast at a picnic shelter with homemade fruit loaf and locally roasted coffee.

Explore advanced tracks weaving over creeks and native vegetation before stopping for a riverside lunch. Relax on the bank with sandwiches and fresh fruit, watching kayakers navigating the rapids below. Tackle a final uphill climb to earn sweeping views of the Richmond Range.

Return to town to soak tired muscles in a thermal hot pool at a nearby wellness retreat. Enjoy a restorative massage using locally made botanical oils. Finish with a nourishing dinner of hearty root vegetable stew and a dessert of apple crumble with whipped cream.