Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centre

Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centre is a Department of Conservation information centre in St Arnaud, the park's gateway village. It's a useful first stop if you're choosing a day walk or multi-day tramp: staff provide track and weather advice, take hut and campsite bookings, and can explain water-taxi options. Ask what the conditions mean for the route you're considering before driving out or committing to a longer trip.

The centre has a museum display area about the area's nature and history. Its compact displays introduce local geology, settlement, and native plants and animals. The two headline lakes are glacial: Ice Age glaciers carved the valleys now filled by Rotoiti and Rotoroa.

The small shop stocks topographical maps, books, outdoor clothing, gas canisters, and food for tramping. It's handy for route planning and backcountry provisions; plan lunch elsewhere rather than expecting a café or meal counter.

Lake Rotoiti is about 200 metres away. Longfin eels gather around its jetties, and females can spend up to 90 years growing before migrating to Tonga to breed. Don't feed them.

From SH63, turn onto Kerr Bay Road, then take the first right onto View Road; the centre is on the corner. It's about 500 metres from Kerr Bay campground, making it easy to add before a lakeside walk or a night at the campground.