Things To See and Do in Nelson 1. Nelson Lakes National Park Nelson Lakes National Park is found in South Island, in between Rotoiti and Rotoroa, two large lakes. It takes a 1-2 hour drive from Nelson or Blenheim to reach the gateway of the park which is St. Arnaud. The park was established in 1856 to protect the northern landscape of the Southern Alps. Here you will find a tranquil forest of beech trees, clear springs, rugged mountains, and an assortment of lakes. According to legend, Rakaihatu, a chief and explorer, traveled to these mountains and along the way dug holes using a digging stick called ko. He filled these holes with water and food (kai) for those who followed him. The food which consisted of waterfowl, eel and freshwater mussels was essential for the Maori traveling on these mountain trails. In the 1840s, Europeans invaded these areas to graze sheep. Today tourists enjoy the vast beautiful landscape where you can picnic, hunt and hol...