New Zealand🇳🇿 | beachesKaiteriteri BeachGolden cove, water taxis, kayak launch, Abel Tasman gateway | things to do and best time to go

Kaiteriteri village itself is the closest option, with a holiday park and a few self-contained units a short walk from the sand, but it is small and quiet at night. For a social scene, Motueka, about 13 km (8 miles) south, is where most backpackers end up. It has hostels, a supermarket, cafes and buses, with beds typically NZ$35 to 50 a night in dorms. Nelson, roughly an hour away by road, is the bigger base with the most hostels, bars and onward transport, and dorms usually run NZ$35 to 55. Kaiteriteri suits you if you have a car or tent and want to wake up on the beach. Camping there is popular … read more 👉

Kaiteriteri village itself is the closest option, with a holiday park and a few self-contained units a short walk from the sand, but it is small and quiet at night. For a social scene, Motueka, about 13 km (8 miles) south, is where most backpackers end up. It has hostels, a supermarket, cafes and buses, with beds typically NZ$35 to 50 a night in dorms. Nelson, roughly an hour away by road, is the bigger base with the most hostels, bars and onward transport, and dorms usually run NZ$35 to 55. Kaiteriteri suits you if you have a car or tent and want to wake up on the beach. Camping there is popular in summer and pitches cost about NZ$30 to 50 per person at peak, so reserve ahead. Marahau, the southern gateway to the Abel Tasman track, is another good pick if you plan to hike, with a handful of budget lodges and a relaxed, trail-focused crowd. Choose Motueka for value and company, Nelson for nightlife and connections.