The village of St Arnaud is situated 700 metres above sea level, encircled by snow-capped mountain ranges and nestled in native beech forest.  St Arnaud lies on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, one of the two large lakes (the other is Lake Rotoroa) that give rise to the name of Nelson Lakes National Park (102,000 ha).   

Just one hour (85kms) from Nelson, one & a quarter hours from Blenheim (100kms), and 35 mins (40kms) from Murchison, the village of St. Arnaud sits at the gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park.                         

The Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project was launched by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in February 1997, and covers a 5,000 ha area around Lake Rotoiti.  Pests and predators are controlled by DOC using hand control methods.  This has led to the fewer pests and predators, allowing native bird life to flourish and enabling Kiwi and other native birds to be reintroduced to the area. 

Tranquil bush-walks include the Honeydew Walk which begins at the lake edge and meanders through sun-filtered beech forest. This walk takes approximately 30-45 mins and would suit most levels of fitness. The Loop Track is a longer picturesque walk (1-1.5 hours) which starts from the Honeydew Walk and circles up into the beech forest and back onto the main lake track. Native NZ birds such as the Tui & Bell-bird sing throughout the beech forest; stay still in one spot for a while and watch for the friendly South Island Robin.

• Fishing, (the lakes and surrounding rivers are home to some of the best brown trout fishing that New Zealand has to offer.  
• Canoing the mighty Buller river, water skiing, wake-boarding and rowing on "Lake Rotoiti" with special events days such as the "Antique and Classic boat show", (Next year, held on the weekend of March the 6th & 7th 2010).
• Cycling; numerous race's start at St Arnaud, ( Most noted are the "Source to the Sea" held in November and the "Rainbow Rage" held this year in April).

• Parachute Rock – allow the day
• Lake Angelus – allow three days
• Travers & Sabine Valleys & Lake Angelus – allow nine days
• Snow skiing at the Rainbow Ski Field (20 minute drive)
• Local glider flights*

• White water rafting in Murchinson (45 minute drive)
• Kayaking on Lake Rotoiti
• Mountain bikes available
• Gold fossicking
• Swimming(in the summer!)
• Bush walking (leisurely up to 3-4 hours
• Hiking/tramping
   

• Hunting for deer, chamois, wild pigs, and rabbits in the Nelson Lakes National Park and surrounding areas.
• Skiing on Rainbow Ski field, (the ski field has only enough snow for the learners tow at the moment we are having lovely clear sunny days. it is a approx 30 - 40 minutes drive to the ski field from St Arnaud house)
• Mountain biking the many tracks of the Tee total Recreational area.