Richmond is one of those rare spots that is equally enticing as both a holiday base and a destination in its own right. Tom and Jord Tasman, from Tasman Travels, share some of their recent adventures in the area and why they found themselves staying longer than planned.
Sitting pretty much smack bang at the heart of the Nelson Tasman region, Richmond is close to Nelson city, but also on the doorstep of Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks – making it the perfect base for wider explorations.
It’s also surrounded by unique experience offerings, the Great Taste Trail cycleway and boutique vineyards, breweries and artisan food producers. What’s not to love!?
Peanut Butter, Great Eats, and Garden BBQ Vibes
Of course, before you settle into Richmond itself, no visit to the town is complete without popping into Pic’s Peanut Butter World on the way. The free factory tour attracts swarms of visitors year-round and for good reason, but the entire experience is deliciously fun (and educational). Honestly, it’s one of those absolute must-dos of the region.
Pic’s isn’t just a peanut butter brand – it’s a local legend, born in Nelson and now beloved across New Zealand and beyond. The tour takes you behind the scenes to see how the iconic jars are made, from roasting and grinding the peanuts to sealing the finished product.
The factory itself is a joy to visit – light, bright, and full of the irresistible aroma of roasting peanuts. The staff are warm, funny, and clearly love what they do, sharing stories about Pic’s humble beginnings and the quirky, inventive spirit that still drives the business. You’ll get plenty of samples (which is dangerous, because you’ll want to buy it all), and the gift shop is a peanut lover’s paradise, packed with goodies perfect for the road.
After fuelling up on peanuts, tottle on down the road to Richmond and if you have any space left after all the Pic’s tastings, it’s the perfect spot for breakfast or brunch. We found ourselves at The Craftsman Café, and we’re not exaggerating when we say we had the best BLT and avocado on toast we’ve ever had (and we’ve had plenty!). The bacon was perfectly crisp, the avocado fresh and generously piled high on thick, wholesome toast, and everything was beautifully presented. Each bite was one of those perfect travel moments where simple ingredients shine because they’re treated with real care.
The coffee was excellent too – smooth, strong, and exactly how we like it. But it’s more than just the food and coffee that make The Craftsman special. There’s a genuine warmth to the place, a relaxed vibe that invites you to settle in and linger over a second cup while planning your day.
The café is run by Rob Essenburg and Jodi McIntyre, who moved from Wellington to Nelson in 2021 and first made their mark in the region with North Eatery in Upper Moutere. With The Craftsman, they’ve brought that same passion for thoughtful food and community connection right into the heart of Richmond. Inspired partly by wanting to be closer to home as their child Koa started school in Stoke, they have created a new venture that’s every bit as vibrant and welcoming as they are.
At The Craftsman, sustainability and quality are woven throughout. Their ethos – organised, fair, progressive, and thoughtful – shines through in every detail, from carefully sourced local and organic ingredients to their efforts to minimise waste and single-use plastics. The result is food that not only tastes incredible but feels good for the soul.
The café serves up a range of fresh, seasonal dishes, delicious baked goods, and some epic beverages, all crafted with the kind of care and creativity that turns a meal into an experience. It’s the kind of place that reflects the best of Nelson-Tasman’s food scene: locally driven, community-minded, and absolutely delicious.
The charm of Richmond
Richmond has plenty to offer, with a friendly, local feel that’s a nice contrast to the slightly bigger bustle of Nelson city. The town centre is full of boutique shops, bakeries, and artisan producers, alongside practical stops like the Richmond Mall for stocking up on supplies.
Parks and reserves dot the area, perfect for a stroll or picnic, and there’s a real sense of community spirit everywhere you go.
For us, Richmond will always hold a special place in our hearts because it’s where we first ducked in to meet Dan Fisher from Australis Caravans NZ. What started as a quick chat turned into the beginning of our dream caravan build, a completely custom, one-of-a-kind van that’s been months in the making.
Australis Caravans specialise in bespoke, handcrafted builds tailored to suit each individual’s lifestyle and vision. If you’re after off-grid capability, clever storage, or sleek modern finishes, Dan and his team bring a real yes-we-can attitude to every project. Their designs balance functionality with form in a way that feels intuitive and thoughtfully considered, perfect for those of us who live full-time on the road.
The entire process, from initial concept through to design and build, has been smooth, collaborative, and genuinely exciting.
And there’s more growth on the horizon. Australis Caravans NZ is moving into fantastic new premises in Hope, just a short drive from Richmond. The move reflects how much demand has grown for their custom vans and gives them a better space and tools to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in caravan design.
And of course, no visit to Richmond would be complete without heading over to Chur Bol BBQ on Talbot Street. These guys serve up some of the best barbecue we’ve ever tasted – smoky, tender meats bursting with flavour, paired with delicious sides that keep you coming back for more.
But Chur Bol isn’t just about great food; it’s about passion, purpose, and a genuine zest for life. The story behind Chur Bol is as heartwarming as their barbecue is mouthwatering. Back in 2022, their founder Nick Smith found himself at a crossroads, worn down by the relentless pressures of the construction industry and how it was affecting his mental health, relationships, and overall wellbeing. He decided it was time for a complete life pivot. Sitting down and asking himself what truly mattered, the answer was clear: whānau, food, and fun. And from that revelation, Chur Bol was born.
From day one, the mission has been simple but powerful: to make the world a happier place, one BBQ at a time. Every single aspect of Chur Bol is packed with love and joy you can literally taste. The menu starts with gorgeous, carefully sourced ingredients, the handmade sauces are carefully crafted, and everything is smoked low and slow right on-site to absolute perfection. The result? Food so full of flavour and soul it can’t help but make you smile.
The Chur Bol spot on Talbot Street has a fantastic vibe all its own. It’s a cozy garden-bar-meets-restaurant setup, strung with warm lighting and pulsing with good music. It’s the kind of place where you want to settle in, sip a cold drink, and soak up the atmosphere while delicious aromas waft from the smoker nearby. That smoker is the heart of Chur Bol, standing proudly out the back, billowing gentle smoke and promising something extraordinary for your tastebuds.
We feasted on brisket, pulled pork, and ribs so tender they practically melted in the mouth. The sides are just as epic, think creamy slaws, smoky beans, and sauces bursting with tang and spice. Every bite felt like comfort food elevated to an art form, and you can tell the team is having a blast creating food that spreads pure happiness.
And for those of us living life on the road, Chur Bol offers an unexpected bonus: a range of freeze-dried meats, which have been a total game-changer for vanlife. Lightweight, bursting with smoky flavour, and incredibly convenient, they’re perfect for whipping up a gourmet meal in the van, even if you’re parked up somewhere remote and wild. It’s a brilliant way to take a taste of Chur Bol’s magic with you, wherever the road leads.
Chur Bol is more than just a place to eat; it’s a celebration of good times, resilience, and following your passion. And honestly, we left not just full, but genuinely happier, proof that great BBQ really can change your day.
Go off trail in Richmond
If you like to park and explore, it’s hard to decide whether to enjoy the excellent walking tracks, or pop onto the Great Taste Trail cycleway, which runs right through Richmond, or for the more adventurous explore the mountain biking trails at Silvan Forest.
If you’re up for a 12km drive down Aniseed Valley Road, you’ll find Richmond’s Whispering Falls, reached via an easy two-hour return walk through a natural podocarp forest with wooden swing bridges across Hackett River.
There’s also the stunning Washbourn Gardens not far from Richmond’s main street, a beautiful spot to find a shady spot and just enjoy the bounty of mother nature (and a team of dedicated gardeners).
We suggest allowing some extra time in this special spot, so you can soak it all in at your leisure, and make sure you also include a visit to the lively town centre and local markets, as well as the Old Factory Corner, where you’ll find artisanal cheeses like no others at The Junction Cheese Shop.
Richmond also boasts the area’s best indoor pool complex and the largest shopping centre in the top of the south. For those who appreciate the nostalgia and importance of history, Willow Bank Heritage Village opens once a month to the public (usually the first Sunday of each month), so if you time it right, you can immerse yourself in the unique character village, complete with 20 vintage shop displays and the opportunity to dress up in heritage clothing.
Richmond offers plenty to savour, from nutty adventures at Pic’s, epic breakfasts, and unforgettable barbecue, to forging connections that might just shape your next big adventure. It’s yet another layer of the Nelson-Tasman region that leaves you planning your return visit before you’ve even left.
