Havelock's tasty treats for day trippers

Pint-sized Havelock is one of New Zealand's chocolate-box villages. This picturesque gateway to Pelorus Sound is just a 45-minute drive from Nelson, serving up an unforgettable day-trip loaded with delights.

The self-proclaimed "Greenshell Mussel Capital of the World" offers sightseeing excursions to the mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds, or you can join the three-times-weekly mail run excursion on the Pelorus Express.

Make sure you savour the catch-of-the-day at the Mussel Pot Restaurant in the heart of Havelock. Just look for the giant mussels on the roof.

Artisans have transformed Havelock's traditional image as a sleepy fishing village.

The Wood Guy has an eye-catching, alfresco gallery on the main street, showcasing his top-quality furniture crafted from macrocarpa, which is exported worldwide, and the Shark Nett Gallery proudly sports the world's largest collection of modern and traditional Maori carvings.

The Eyes on Nature Fish Museum takes visitors on a creative and dynamic exploration of the underwater world. The torch-lit tour features a wealth of three-dimensional, life-size fish and sea creatures, followed by a spectacular ascent to light and birdsong.

For history buffs, the Havelock Museum - complete with a vintage locomotive on the front lawn - provides a great overview of the district's development.

A good way to complete your Havelock day trip is taking a refreshing forest and river walk in the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve.