The author walks through podocarp forest alongside the Matai River. Photo: Andrew MacDonald

Nelson’s bypassed backyard

Features, Wild Trips

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Naomi Arnold

Naomi Arnold is a Nelson journalist, tramper and author of Northbound and Southern Nights.

By Naomi Arnold

One of the easiest ways to experience a South Island alpine environment within a couple of kilometres of civilisation is to walk the Coppermine Trail, a breathtaking 40km loop near Nelson’s city centre. By Naomi Arnold

The Coppermine Trail is a purpose-built mountain bike trail that traverses Nelson’s mineral belt. It’s one of New Zealand’s Great Rides, so is not always thought of by locals and visitors as a prime walking destination. That’s also because Nelson is spoilt for choice; typically, if you want alpine scenery, you drive 90 minutes to […]

About the author

Naomi Arnold

Naomi Arnold is a Nelson tramper, journalist, and author. She particularly enjoys writing about nature, travel, science and adventure. Some of her favourite assignments have been reporting on dotterels from Rakiura, stoats from Preservation Inlet, ice science from Antarctica, and tramping Te Araroa while writing her 2025 trail memoir, Northbound.