"Frequent Bed & Breakfast Questions, Nelson, New Zealand"

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions, Questions, Questions

We are frequently asked questions by our guests and we are happy to try and answer all of them. Here is a sample of those answers that might prove helpful before you get here or during your stay

How far is it to/from Serendipity to the Picton Ferry terminal?
Where did the name Serendipity come from?
How long does it take to drive from Serendipity to the Abel Tasman National Park ?
Is the Boulder Bank that forms Nelson Haven man-made ?
How old is your house ?
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How far is it to/from Serendipity to the Picton Ferry terminal?

You should allow one and three quarter hours driving time for the journey. Although the direct route from Picton to Havelock is very scenic and looks the shortest, because the road
is very narrow and winding it takes just as long travelling this way as taking the main highway which goes near Blenheim. Many people like to stop off at a vineyard on or near Rapaura
Road for a leisurely lunch. Others like to have a drink or meal down at the new Waterside
cafe in Havelock.

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Where did the name Serendipity come from. ?

The word was created - or "coined" - by one Horace Walpole in the 18th century from the Persian fairytale The Three Princes of Serendip (The old name for Sri Lanka) in which the heroes possess "the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident".

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How long does it take to drive from Serendipity to the Abel Tasman National Park ?

The southern gateway to the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park is at Marahau and Kaiteriteri. You should allow about an hour to make this 50 to 60 km trip from Nelson. There are a number of boats and water taxis that leave from both places and then take visitors right into the Park every day. If you want to walk or Kayak into the Park then go to Marahau. For kayak hire we recommend you make your booking a few days beforehand during the peak season - December to February. If you only want to walk for a few hours then it is best to take one of the water taxis into the middle of the park and arrange to be picked up at another bay a few hours later.

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Is the Boulder Bank that forms Nelson Haven man-made ?

Nelson's boulder Bank is a geological freak of nature. There are only a few of these tombolo (from the Italian - originally Latin Tumulus - mound) in the world. It begins just east of Nelson at The Glen and finishes 13 km later at "The Cut" (which was man made in 1906) and Haulashore Island. The Boulder Bank also bears a lighthouse which has been a Nelson landmark for over 160 years