Dear First name / Friend of Maruia
 
Welcome to Spring at Maruia River Retreat!
 
I’ve always thought one of the best things about living in the Top of the South is how much you can experience within a relatively small part of New Zealand.
 
You can spend an afternoon enjoying a performance in Nelson, explore the food and wine of Marlborough, watch vintage aircraft take to the skies at an airshow, or discover the alpine beauty of Nelson Lakes. And within a few hours, you can find yourself surrounded by native forest, rivers and mountains, with nowhere you need to be.
 
It’s this combination that inspired my latest article, An Active Relaxer’s Guide to the Top of the South Island.
 
The active relaxer loves to explore, but knows that a good holiday isn't about filling every hour. It's about having memorable experiences and allowing enough time and space to enjoy them properly.
 
This Labour Day weekend and throughout October and November, why not experience a different side of the South Island?
 
The Nelson Arts Festival runs from 22 October to 1 November, bringing theatre, comedy, circus, talks and live performances to the city. Enjoy a few days immersed in the arts, then take the beautiful drive inland from Nelson through the Shenandoah Valley to Maruia River Retreat.
 
Here, the pace changes. You can walk through our private 500-acre native beech forest, soak in the forest hot tub, swim in the magnesium pool, enjoy a massage or unwind in the sauna. In the evening, Lasse's seasonal multi-day dining brings another dimension to the experience.
 
We’re proud to be supporting the Nelson Arts Festival for a second year as a patron, including the Pukapuka Talks programme. For us, it's another way of celebrating the experiences that make this region so special.
 
And spring is only the beginning. Looking ahead, the NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show at Lake Rotoiti in March 2027 and the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow in Blenheim later that month are wonderful reasons to plan a longer trip through the Top of the South. Maruia makes a natural place to pause, recharge and enjoy the landscape along the way.
 
Don't just plan what you'll do. Plan how you want to feel afterwards.
 
Whether you're travelling for an event, exploring the South Island or simply ready for a few days away, our private villas offer space, privacy and the freedom to do as much or as little as you wish.
 
For a more considered reset, our Personal Restoration Retreat brings together accommodation, nourishing food, nature and restorative experiences, spa and massage treatments and a personalised designed daily activities schedule, allowing you to settle into a rhythm that suits you.
 
With Labour Day weekend approaching, October in full spring swing and November just around the corner, this is your invitation to make time for both adventure and rest.
 
Enjoy the event. Take the scenic route. Then give yourself a few days to truly unwind.
 
Looking forward to welcoming you at Maruia River Retreat this Spring.
 
Love and light,
Cristina
 
 
 
Image item
GUEST PHOTO OF OUR DARK SKY STARGAZING 10/10/2026
 
 
JOSH FROM NZ
google review from 3 days ago
 
Quiet location allowing you to switch off. Came with my wife and had amazing hospitality from Cristina, Lasse, Jackie and the team. Great food, especially the breakfast, which stands up there with some of the best hotels and resorts, but still felt homely. Great place to be if you want to turn down the volume without any inconveniences. The view from a clear evening was a welcome surprise as well. Will be back!
 
Image item
 
 
Visit our Facebook
Visit our Instagram
Visit our Pinterest
Visit our Youtube
2314 Shenandoah Highway, State Highway 65
Murchison, Tasman 7077, New Zealand