Nelson
» Click here for a List of Nelson Accommodation
The sunny City of Nelson lies at the top of the South Island a 3 hour 20 minute hour drive from Kaikoura and a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Blenheim. The warm temperatures and stunning national parks make the area a great place to spend time in the great outdoors. There are three national parks to explore including the scenic Able Tasman. Its beautiful golden beaches, excellent tramping tracks, superb turquoise waters to kayak and seal watching tours make it a popular tourist destination. The other two National parks of Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes offer great walks including the Heaphy Track and a group of untouched forest fringed lakes. Nelson has retained many of its Victorian buildings of which an entire street is heritage listed. The paved shopping areas and tree lined wide streets give it a relaxed and charming atmosphere.
Accommodation is a mixture of motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, backpackers and self contained cottages. The smaller town of Richmond a 15 minute drive away is alive with cafes, restaurants and a good variety of shops including the largest shopping mall in the South Island. Nelson holds a comprehensive market every Saturday which showcases the works of the large number of artists and craftspeople who live in the region. There is a glass blowing factory and showroom to visit, set in 7 acres of beautiful gardens and the World of Wearable Arts museum not far out of town. There are a good selection of Museums and Art Galleries in Nelson as well as the opportunity to visit a Marae and learn all about local Maori Culture. You can even paddle out on Tasman Bay in a Waka (Maori canoe). The Nelson Provisional Museum holds an insight into the pioneering history of the area. The drive out to Golden Bay will take you over a marble mountain and around a scenic ocean drive. Stop by at Te Waikoropupu Springs, the largest and clearest springs in New Zealand and take a walk along the windswept Wharariki Beach and its stunning rock and sand formations.
Take a 4WD adventure out to the internationally renowned bird sanctuary of Farewell Spit and visit the lighthouse or discover ancient moa bones at Ngarua Caves. West of Nelson you will find the local vineyards of the Marlborough region that specialise in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Mapua smokehouse specialises in freshly smoked seafood and has a café in which to indulge. Other activities in the Nelson region include sailing, horse riding, swimming or visiting the fun park at Tahunanui Beach, indoor rock climbing and tandem skydiving. Visit Nelson in October to catch the Nelson Arts Festival, January for the Sealord Summer Festival and February for Opera in the Park.