Our near-silent, fully electric Nissan LEAF speeds through the lush, green valleys of the stunning Nelson Tasman region in New Zealand, and it dawns on me how much the humble road trip has changed.
As a Kiwi, road trips are almost part of our DNA. They’re ubiquitous with summer holidays in a small country like ours.
But with the rising cost of fuel and our ever expanding awareness of the effect that carbon emissions have on the environment, it’s become even more important to incorporate sustainable travel into itineraries. Travel is changing, and so should we.
The Nelson Tasman Region is still an enigma to both local and international visitors. It doesn’t get nearly the sort of airtime that the rest of New Zealand is afforded through mega marketing campaigns. So there was something serendipitous about the opportunity to take on a fully carbon neutral road trip—something that’s not been attempted before—in a region so untouched by the masses.
Our hosts had made sure that every supplier, each hotel, our meals, beers and even our modes of transport (thanks Nissan!) would be fully offset or completely carbon zero. A real road trip, without the guilt.
RELATED ⟶ STARSTRUCK IN NEW ZEALAND
At the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary in the sleepy seaside city of Nelson we’re in a vast, tree-filled sanctuary dedicated to protecting local flora and fauna. Meandering through the delicate mossy streams of the predator-free forest, our guide points out a few of the forest’s secrets, like where to find fresh honeydew and hidden weta ‘motels’ (homes for a native insect endemic to this region). With such rich birdlife and dense greenery, it’s easy to feel as though we’ve stepped back in time to somewhere prehistoric.
From there, it’s time for a beer, and what better place to refuel than New Zealand’s first climate positive pub, The Free House. I think to myself, “Could this really also be my first ever guilt free hangover?”
We’re greeted by an elegant cocker spaniel at the door of the renovated church, before the owner and his son proudly pour us tasters of their favourite locally brewed craft beers. Humming with locals who are cozying up outside under recycled heaters next to the small onsite brewery, it seems that this is certainly the place to be.
Waking up next in my brightly coloured room in the clean, comfortable and carbon neutral Nelson YHA, my tummy rumbles in anticipation of the morning’s activity. We park up and charge our car at Nelson’s solar-powered Pic’s Peanut Butter factory. I’m mesmerised, not just because this is my ideal breakfast, but as I also watch the process of the humble nut transform into creamy deliciousness, while also learning about the factory’s waste reduction method that uses all parts of the peanuts, leftovers magically being made into tote bags and paper.
As a rare deluge of rain sets in for the afternoon, we opt to embrace the mud and try a speedy hybrid quad bike ride through the thriving native forest at Cable Bay Adventure Park. The carbon zero adventure park offers a range of activities for anyone brave enough to try them, including a 1.6 kilometre zip line over the property for sunnier days.
Once we’ve explored the local op-shops it’s time to get back in our Nissan LEAF and drive along the coast towards one of New Zealand’s most loved jewels, the Abel Tasman National Park. Despite this being one of our longest stretches of the drive, we’ve only needed to charge up the car once so far. Thankfully there’s a very handy online map to help travellers like us find the nearest charging point.
Originally populated by early Māori, the native bush was almost lost when Europeans arrived and tried to farm the land. Fortunately, however, their efforts were thwarted by the soil climate, and the Abel Tasman was returned to its rightful state as a thriving bush in 1942. Now it attracts visitors from all over the world, keen to experience its beauty in a uniquely New Zealand way.
The Abel Tasman was returned to its rightful state as a thriving bush in 1942.
Eager for an early start in the park, we stop at Kaiterteri beach to check in to the picturesque Kimi Ora Eco Resort. With an electric vehicle charging station, jacuzzis, pools, vineyards and even private spa baths in their suites, it’s the perfect place to relax and recharge after a day of on and off-road driving. At night, we saunter from the jacuzzi straight to dinner at their onsite vegetarian restaurant named ‘The Views’, enjoying a delicious gourmet meal with local wines and as the name suggests, stunning views of the harbour below.
As the sun rises over the water, we head to the beach for a morning cruise with Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures on their new catamaran. Gliding peacefully past private sandy beaches and protected islands filled with adorable seal pups playing in the shallows it’s easy to see why locals work so hard to protect the area. The experienced sailors and owners of the catamaran happily fill us in on the history of the area and the initiatives they’re a part of to keep the Abel Tasman pristine.
At lunchtime, we are dropped off at a small, untouched bay for the next part of our adventure. It’s a sea kayak tour of the Abel Tasman with Mārahau Sea Kayaks and Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi. Floating through valleys filled with birdsong, stopping at secluded golden bays to hike and explore at our leisure. Every inlet we visit appears to offer a different landscape, some with crystal clear blue water, others with cool cola coloured bottom and wild overgrowth. Each is as tranquil and striking as the next.
It’s finally time to unwind as the locals do after a day of exploring Abel Tasman. We grab a table at Hooked On Mārahau, a relaxed seafront restaurant with a garden bar soaking in the day’s activities.
For a change of scenery we check into the quaint, eco-friendly Abel Tasman Ocean View Chalets. Built into the hillside and surrounded by trees teeming with birdlife, the chalets provide all the benefits of nature without giving up any creature comforts. Morning comes and the sun pours into the quaint hillside cabins like honey over the edge of a spoon, making for some beautiful sunrise photos from my private balcony overlooking the water.
The airport beckons, but not before making one last stop on the way to Nelson. In the small town of Riwaka we meet with The Gentle Cycling Company for an effortless two wheeled tour of the area. Gliding through bountiful berry farms, wineries and orchards, if I wasn’t so enamoured by the smell, the experience is almost dream-like for even an inexperienced rider like myself.
Sitting in the airport waiting for my flight back home (which has been carbon offset) I look back in wonder at the effort and passion that local tourism providers on this trip have shown towards a more sustainable future.
There’s an eagerness not just to change the way people travel, but also to change the world. 
Air New Zealand flies to Nelson from Melbourne and Sydney to Nelson, with a stop in Auckland from AU$1500 return.
Share >
More Stories
The Houtman Abrolhos Islands are a place of contradictions. Stark and beautiful, desolate and vibrant, and despite a history of death and despair, brimming with irrepressible life.
