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City in the South Island, New Zealand
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Nelson (Māori: Whakatū) is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island. It is in a region often known as Nelson Bays or the "Top of the South" and is actually slightly north of the capital city of Wellington in the North Island.
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a historic and often photographed Nelson landmark. Features iconic granite steps from Trafalgar Street to the Cathedral. Sunday Eucharist and Evensong services, usually with Choir.
To quote the most relevant website: "Elliott Street in Nelson is one of the earliest, and most complete examples, of state housing in New Zealand. The special heritage area includes homes that date from the 1860s through to the 1940s, spread over thirty four properties on Trafalgar, Elliott and Collingwood Streets. Within the precinct are well-preserved houses showing a progression of architectural design. Twenty three original houses of the 20 four-lot, Winearls Settlement for Workers Homes, still remain, and thirty one houses are listed heritage buildings."
A collection of historic buildings that were re-located from sites in Nelson, many with interior mini-museums or historical displays. There is an organic brewery (the only one in the Southern Hemisphere) with an attached cafe that serves good meals. There is also a craft bakery, a chocolate shop, and a railway that runs on weekends. A great place to spend a half day or more.
Highly polished, native rimu floors, high ceilings and crystal chandeliers, this grand old Victorian lady hosts a cafe and is owned by Nelson City Council so you can rubber neck its classic features such as deeply moulded sash windows and fire surrounds as well as ornate balustrading on the timber staircase to your heart's content without paying an admission fee. A self-tour garden map details the extensive sheltered, private gardens surrounding the house, including its historic specimen trees. There's a great view past the Cathedral's tower to Tasman Bay if you're having a picnic on its sloping lawns.
The Nelson Provincial Museum
A terrific local museum utilising the very latest display technology.
More than 150 cars from 1903 on. Includes Little Engine Eatery, a popular café. This has taken over the facilities of the World of Wearable Art (WOW) museum which it had shared with WOW. Unfortunately WOW has now moved in entirety to Wellington.
Has a large collection with emphasis on works by such 19th century artists as Gully, Lindauer and Van der Velden.
Inspired by Nelson's sister city Miyazu in Japan, is a traditional Japanese stroll garden creating a tranquil environment. Look out for the cherry blossoms in spring.
A relatively small and amateurish zoo. Good for children due to low fences and short walking distance around the zoo. Contains wallabies, monkeys, meerkats, otters, llamas, a small aviary and more.
one of the safest and finest family beaches in NZ. The ever popular and reported Beach Cafe lies adjacent to it for great food and drinks. Bus transport to and from Nelson available - see timetable.
A short walk up a hill close to the city centre and reachable from the Botanic Garden (where the first game of Rugby was played in New Zealand). Good view from the top and an interesting walk through exotic and native vegetation to get to the Trigonometrical Point and Marker at the top.
Pleasant park, with a small Chinese garden. The park was opened in 1892 to celebrate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
Victorian house with antique furnishings and original Marsden ceramic collections. Nice gardens with aged trees.
The house is an excellent example of early colonial cob construction. It was built in 1855 for a family with six daughters.The house has various 18th and 19th century furniture and fittings, including a quilt made in Ireland in 1776. Next the house, the Samuels Rose Garden has 3,000 plants.
All sorts of outdoor activities, including a 3.2-km flying fox, mountain biking, quad biking, horse riding, paintball, archery and riding an amphibious 8-wheel all-terrain vehicle.
The annual Kite Festival brings enthusiasts from all over the world to Neale Park because of its consistently steady northerly breezes that come from Tasman Bay. These are "Goldilocks" winds - not too fierce and not too slack. Fun for all ages and, once you've begged, borrowed or bought a kite, free of further charges! There are public toilets where you can also get drinking water. Ample free parking in North Road where there is also a children's playground with a flying fox, swings and climbing frame.
This island was formed when The Cut was blasted through the Boulder Bank to make access to Nelson's Haven easier for shipping and has a small pond and stands of wilding pines.
Worldwide, one of the better legacies of being colonised by the British was the provision of public parks and toilets and Haulashore Island maintains that cultural legacy by having a single, Unisex, DoC-type long drop
Haul themselves ashore to sunbathe and relax. In New Zealand, it is a crime to disturb or move any marine mammal and you should not approach too near as they can inflict a nasty bite.
The foreshore is mostly rocky or with pebbles but there is a tiny sandy beach where wind surfers and yachtsmen like to come ashore.
Visit and taste 23 wineries located around the district.
Over 22 walks around and in the surrounding district.
Nelson is one of the best places in the world to sky dive because the jump is on the border of the Southern Alps and Abel Tasman. When you jump, you soar over snow capped mountains, and then hover over a marvellous beach. It's so pristine and unique.
Heated 30-m main lane pool, toddlers' pool and spa pools with jets together with a gym and weights room.
Design and create your own bone carving with guidance from an experienced bone carver. It takes about half a day and you end up with a polished product of your own creation.
Events usually include Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Calf Roping, Barrel Race, Steer Wrestling, Bull Ride, Team Roping, Steer Ride and Calf Ride. This Nelson venue participates in the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboy Association circuit and regularly features cowboys and cowgirls from all over New Zealand together with Australia, Canada and the US.
Trafalgar Park
Home of the Tasman Makos won the ITM Cup championships in 2013.
Makers of the "World's Most Famous Ring". Visit the workshop where the original "One Ring" prop for Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies was designed and created. This studio is well-known for producing beautiful, hand-finished jewellery that is uniquely crafted 'to-be-worn.'
One of Nelson's most popular take-away restaurants. They offer wicked veggie and meat kebabs that come wrapped in flat tortilla-like bread. $7-12.
Reviewed in the Sunday Star Times as the place to go - enjoy this all year round beach location with finest home-made food and drink on offer. Always the warmest of welcomes. Best coffee [see New Zealand Coffee Guide] and right on the beach. Kids friendly. Highchairs. Parking. Zoo. Tennis and Parklands.
By the beach this restaurant serves the region's only wood-fired gourmet pizza as well as delicious pasta, healthy salads, hearty ribs, mussels and wicked desserts. Casual and friendly - a must visit in Nelson.
Six generations of family brewing history have culminated in this bar and café where you can watch the brewing process through the glass wall, while enjoying a meal or sampling their production
a fine pub that serves brews from mostly local micro breweries (Mussel Inn, Moa, Founders, Twisted Hop, Emersons etc.) The beer menu changes regularly. Wine, soft drinks and light food also available.
Awarded New Zealand's 'Best Bar' in the 2012 Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence after winning Nelson 'Bar of the Year' Although they don't do meals themselves, they have a sort of symbiotic relationship with the Takeaway right next door and will even supply cutlery to your table. No piped music - just good beer and conversation. Their unusual blackcurrant cider is a very pleasant tipple.
Has dance music and two bars.
It is a pub in the old-fashioned sense. A place for serious beer drinkers, there are up to 16 types of beer on tap. There are no TVs or pokies (gambling machines).
Camp sites from $10, cabins from $40.
In the heart of the city this 5 star hostel is ideally situated for exploring the city of Nelson and the surrounding area. The friendly and helpful staff can assist with anything from advising on local shops, cafes and restaurants to activities and tours. The hostel has excellent kitchen facilities with all you could need, as well as large dining and relaxing areas. The garden is great for summer BBQs and relaxing in the afternoon. They offer a selection of accommodation from shared rooms to double en-suites.
Open all year, clean B&B in a lovely 1897 villa that used to be a school for girls and little boys. Traditional Rose Garden with the oldest walnut tree in the South Island hidden away at the back of the plot. One of the few that still offers a full cooked breakfast. Full board and room service available. Has satellite HD TV, Wi-Fi, double glazing and air-conditioning. Bedrooms have en-suite showers. Quiet fringe of CBD location. Smoking or smokers not allowed(!) The Amber family first came to Nelson in 1842 but can understand some French, Fukien Chinese, German, Malay and Spanish.
Exclusive B&B set in a park on a 70-acre property 17 km from Nelson CBD with its own vineyard, olive and almond groves and a swimming pool. Dinners, featuring the best of the local Nelson and New Zealand’s seasonal produce and wines, are made by arrangement. Smokers welcome. Hosts speak native French and Spanish.
Awaroa and Torrent Bay Lodge are both on the beach frontage in Abel Tasman National Park. Hosted by the Wilson family, direct descendants of the first European settlers to the area. Wilsons’ uniquely isolated beachfront lodges can only be accessed on foot by walking along the coast. All rooms twin/double with en suite bathroom; all bedding and towels provided; drying room; central heating and open fire for winter comforts. Meals are freshly prepared by your hosts at the Lodge and there is a bar serving hand-picked local specialities.
a beautiful lodge inside the Abel Tasman National Park offering amazing food in a very beautiful place, accessible via the Abel Tasman NP track system, or by water taxi from Nelson or Takaka. (There is also now a cheaper summer time service direct from Nelson Port. The previous service went bust so might be a good idea to ring first.)
In Nelson Port with marina views from most of the units. Continental or cooked breakfast available. Close to restaurants, cafes, galleries, shopping.
Port Hills Holiday Home
Stunning sea views from one of Nelson City's finest locations. A comfortable and modern home offering peace, space and true convenience with all the comforts of home. A short stroll from the waterfront's award winning restaurants and cafés and less than 5 min drive to the city centre or Tahunanui Beach. Both short and long term enquiries welcomed. Up to 8 guests.
Four star plus hotel with suites available. Oceano Restaurant, Miyazu Japanese Restaurant and The Rutherford Cafe on-site.
enquiries@trailways.co.nz
Centrally located downtown on the river, a minutes walk from the visitor information centre. 47 air conditioned rooms, award winning restaurant and bar
Stalls overflow with local products - fresh organic vegetables, fruit and flowers, locally farmed organic salmon, goat cheeses and many kinds of crafts including silk painting, jewellery, pottery, weaving and wood turning. The variety of sculptures, artisan furniture, bone carvings, pottery and forged blades are a testimony to the concentration of artists and craftsmen that live in Nelson and come to chat and sell their wares. There are food stalls and many Nelsonians meet for a late leisurely breakfast at one of the many coffee stalls. Not to be missed, but don't sleep in too late as the market is usually over by 2PM.
Nelson is famous for its fresh and tasty local produce and this rather "alternative" emporium showcases much of the best. Interesting and useful community noticeboards are inside and out and just opposite in Tasman Street, on the corner of Grove Street, are three of the oldest and smallest cottages in Nelson.
By plane
EBus Route 4 connects the airport to central Nelson; every 30 minutes during the day (last departure from airport 6:22pm). Supershuttle offers door-door van services.
By car
5 hr from Blenheim and 6 hr driving from Christchurch via either SH1 and Kaikoura or the slightly shorter and more scenic SH6 route over the Lewis Pass and via Murchison.
By bus
Ebus is Nelson's city bus service. Four routes in Nelson city operate at 30 minute intervals. Less frequent regional routes to Wakefield and Motueka. Fares $2 in Nelson/Richmond with a Beecard.
By bicycle
Nelson has a network of cycle routes for leisure and mountain biking.
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Nelson · Regional · NSN
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