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South Island, New Zealand
Photo: Markus Koljonen (Dilaudid), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Nelson and Tasman regions, sometimes collectively referred to as top of the South or Nelson Bays are situated at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand. The region is famed for sunshine, art and craft and alternative lifestyles, and has a rugged farming backbone. The region includes the large triangular-shaped Tasman Bay, and the more remote Golden Bay to the north-west. The main population centre and regional hub is the Nelson-Richmond metropolitan area, at the southern end of Tasman Bay. The region is bounded by the Richmond Ranges to the south, Kahurangi National Park to the west, and Nelson Lakes National Park to the south-west. The Abel Tasman National Park is on the northern coast between Tasman Bay and Golden Bay.
By bus
In the main, both buses and shuttle services in and out of the region follow State Highway 6.
By plane
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Nelson · Regional · NSN
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