Saint Arnaud, New Zealand

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Saint Arnaud is a small alpine village located in the north of New Zealand's South Island. It is situated at the northern end of Lake Rotoiti, west of the mountains of the Saint Arnaud Range and 80 kilometres southwest of Nelson. It is near the historic Tophouse Settlement.

The centre of Saint Arnaud has a village store with postal services, a petrol station, a cafe-restaurant, camping facilities, motels, chalets and specialist accommodation for trampers at the Yellow House youth hostel. A water taxi service operates from a jetty at the northern end of Lake Rotoiti, near to a DOC campsite at Kerr Bay. There is another campsite at West Bay.

There is a daily shuttle bus service along State Highway 63 with connections to Nelson, Murchison, Greymouth, Blenheim, Westport and Picton. Pickups are in the centre of Saint Arnaud.

The western part of the township includes a local Department of Conservation (DOC) Visitor Centre, with interactive displays and comprehensive information about the wildlife and environmental management of the Nelson Lakes National Park. The Centre has a team of professional staff who can offer detailed advice and guidance about all aspects of the area. A number of local footpaths, tracks and nature trails, suitable for all abilities, are maintained by the Department.

Saint Arnaud is a starting point for the strenuous 80km Sabine - Travers tramping circuit. This follows the valley of the Travers River, ascends over the sub-alpine Travers Saddle, the watershed, and then descends down the Sabine River valley and gorge to Lake Rotoroa. From here walkers can complete the circuit back to Saint Arnaud by either crossing a low saddle to the valley of Lake Rotoiti, via the Speargrass Track, or by ascending a higher route via Mount Angelus. Alternatively, they can take a water taxi from the DOC Sabine Hut on Lake Rotoroa up to the northern end of the lake.

In winter snow sports take place primarily at Rainbow Skifield on the eastern side of the Saint Arnaud Range. Other local recreational activities include fishing, kayaking, small boat sailing, and gliding.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force's field training base is nearby at Dip Flat.