Directions for Nelson Lakes and Riversdale?

[soundbeltfarm]

going to my bro inlaws wedding at Nelson Lakes on Saturday . We driving down on Friday , whats the best way to Get to St Arnaud from Picton?
Also we come back on Monday and arrive in Wellington At 4.30 and going to Riversdale are we best to go through Lower Hutt or will it be getting heavy traffic and better to go another way.
I've never been to Riversdale so dont have a clue how to get there.
Thanks SBF

[James Deuce]

You HAVE to go through the Hutt unless you want to add 160KMs to the trip. If you're on the road before 5pm you may experience mild congestion at Ngauranga and Petone, but after that it will just be busy.

To get to Riversdale, stay on SH2, go over the Rimutakas, go through Featherston, Greytown, Carterton, and turn right at the Mobil at the North end of Masterton, just past the giant two lane roundabout. This is the Castlepoint road. Follow this until you hit the Riversdale turn off. 2.5 hours max.

[MaxB]

The direct way to St Arnaud is SH1 to Blenheim and SH63 to St Arnaud. Is is about 160km from Picton. Watch out for plod because SH63 has some looong straights that tend to terminate in one lane bridges. It is a lot of fun on a bike.

A touristy way FWIW would be to go Picton -Queen Charlotte Drive then onto SH6 through Nelson and Richmond. 23 kms from Richmond turn left at Belgrove and head south. You will passs through Golden Downs and Tophouse. 51kms later you are in St Arnaud.

[soundbeltfarm]

Thanks for the help.
how big is St Arnaud and Riversdale or what is there to do at either place

[gatch]

Fuck all unless you are into golf, boozing, surfing or fishing.

If you're down with the above you have it made maaaaaaate.

[Shadows]

Thanks for the help.

how big is St Arnaud and Riversdale or what is there to do at either place

St Arnaud is tiny. It has a DOC office and a lake. I think it has a shop too. Nice place, but. Hope you're into trout fishing and have lots of warm clothes. Two days ago it was freezing up there.

At Riversdale (which is tinier) they used to wait until 6pm each day to watch a rat running across a power line from the shop to the other side of the road. Apparently you could set your watch by it. I shit you not. As you can probably tell, Riversdale is a very exciting place.

[peasea]

going to my bro inlaws wedding at Nelson Lakes on Saturday . We driving down on Friday , whats the best way to Get to St Arnaud from Picton?
Also we come back on Monday and arrive in Wellington At 4.30 and going to Riversdale are we best to go through Lower Hutt or will it be getting heavy traffic and better to go another way.
I've never been to Riversdale so dont have a clue how to get there.
Thanks SBF

Post 3 is quite correct, there's the Wairau Tavern along the way if you want a break. Also, if you get time, there's the nation's smallest pub at Tophouse (signposted) not far from St Arnauds. All the locals know where it is if you miss the sign. Take your camera to the lakefront if you have time, both Rotoiti and Rotoroa are worth a look while you're there but there's SFA to do other than that. If you like nice scenery you'll be happy though.

Also, when you head back out, you might want to head through Golden Downs which brings you out onto SH6 at Belgrove, then through here (Wakefield) and onto Nelson itself, then over the Whangamoa hills back to Picton. That way you won't double back and you'll see more of the area.

If you want more local information PM me.

Here's a pic of Lake Rotoiti. Enjoy the trip.