Nelson is known for its year-round sun, golden beaches, three national parks, 350 working artists (carvers, glassblowers, painters, potters and weavers), boutique wineries, historic streetscapes, waterfront cafes, fresh seafood, and a thoroughly relaxed lifestyle.

Within the sheltering confines of Tasman Bay, Nelson's beaches are safe, with silvery sand. Tahunanui Beach, within the city boundaries has the largest and best-equipped holiday park in the country. Adventure activities include sea kayaking, Buller River rafting, tandem skydiving, four-wheel drives, motor biking through native forest, skiing or snowboarding the Rainbow ski area and hiking on some of the country's best-known tracks.

Centre of What?
The geographical "Centre of New Zealand" allegedly lies in Nelson; on a hilltop convenient to the centre of the city. This marks the point deemed the "centre" for early geographical surveys. The true geographical centre lies on the Spooner Range, 35 kilometres southwest of Nelson.

Nelson is also a centre for arts and crafts, and each year hosts popular events such as the Nelson Arts Festival.

Nelson's Record Breaking

• 
  Nelson probably has the best climate in New Zealand, with an annual sunshine totals of over 2500 hours.
• Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest, but a coastal wonderland of sea, sky, rocky headlands and bright golden beaches.
• Kahurangi National Park, is New Zealand's second largest with 450,000 hectares of mostly upland wilderness, with magnificent three to four-day hiking trails.
• Nelson has the busiest port in the country.

Getting Around

A water taxi is a common mode of transport for visiting the Abel Tasman National Park. You can get the water taxi to drop off/pick up at a bay of your choice, so you can enjoy a scenic walk. For those with limited time, helicopter or fixed-wing flights are popular ways to sightsee or arrive at the Abel Tasman National Park.

Regional Attractions Accessible From Nelson

Nelson is surrounded by mountains on three sides with Tasman Bay on the other. It is a centre for both eco tourism and adventure tourism.

Caving enthusiasts flock to Nelson to do the cave systems around Takaka Hill and Mount Owen. It also functions as the gateway to the;

• Abel Tasman National Park,
• the Kahurangi National Park and
• Nelson Lakes National Park (and Rotoiti & Rotorua).

Best Views

The closest best view of Nelson is from the hilltop behind the town, and the old "centre of New Zealand".

Best Months

Nelson's sunshine hours per year is over 2,500 hours. Nelson's annual rainfall is 970 mm.

Clothing

As Nelson is a centre for Wearable Art, anything colourful and artistic goes well here.

Shopping

Nelson serves as a centre for arts and crafts, and each year hosts popular events such as the Nelson Arts Festival. Original quality art is for sale in many galleries around Nelson.

Other Facts

Telephone Area Code: 03
Population: 45,700 (2005)
Local emergency contact number for all Police, Fire and St John Ambulances: 111

Activities

Day Tours in Nelson

Nelson's activities centre around the beaches and coastline. It can offer the visitor some great holiday experiences as outlined below:

	Sea kayaking A number of kayaking companies run guided tours from Marahau and Kaiteriteri. If you'd rather be independent, you can rent kayaks and stay at campsites, huts or lodges within the park - just as you would if you were hiking.
	Abel Tasman Day trips For those with only a day to see the Abel Tasman National Park, water taxi companies can provide a personalised mix of sightseeing by boat and track walking. Pre-booking is advised. Enquire at Motueka, Marahau or Kaiteriteri.

Things to do in Nelson

This list will assist you in accessing attractions and activities that Nelson has to offer.

	World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars Museum The WOW® phenomenon is now an internationally celebrated event. Amazing wearable works of art are on display in Nelson at the World of WearableArt™ and Classic Cars Museums. The combination of incredible garments with classic cars in one museum is an unusual experience.
	Neudorf Vineyards Neudorf was founded by German immigrants. Today this small family owned winery has an international reputation for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Cellar door open every day, most of the year (closed Christmas Day, Boxing and New Year's Day).
	Artisan markets The weekend market on Montgomery Square is where artisans show their creations, from wooden platters and local olive oil to colourful ceramics. Further a field, Motueka hosts a relaxed Sunday market, and Takaka has a Saturday market.

Activities Outside Nelson

These activities are available around Nelson.

	Rainbow Ski Field High in the north of the Southern Alps beside Nelson Lakes National Park is one of New Zealand's most beautiful ski and snow board areas, Rainbow Ski Area. Rainbow is only 1.5 hours drive from Blenheim
	Heaphy Track The Heaphy Track is a four to six day hike (82km). The Heaphy track is classified as a walking track, being well formed and with bridges on rivers and major streams. The Heaphy track is located in the Kahurangi National Park at the north-west corner of the South Island.
	Montana Brancott Winery, Marlborough This is New Zealand's largest winery and is located just outside the picturesque town of Blenheim. The Montana Brancott Winery opened in 1977, making it the oldest winery in Marlborough. The first modern commercial vineyards in the Marlborough region were established by Montana in 1973, a region at the time better known for sheep farming than winemaking.

Diary of Events in the Nelson Region

Coach Tours Which Include Nelson

The following fully escorted coach tours are our top 3 which include Nelson.

Essential New Zealand Cover most of New Zealand in just over 2 weeks with a fully escorted coach tour from Christchurch to Auckland, including National Parks, Fox Glacier, the Fiordland at Milford Sound, the glow-worm caves and the geysers and boiling mud at Rotorua. Take in history at Olveston House and Wellington's museums. Visit a NZ winery and see fruit growing regions. Cruise on Milford Sound and Queenstown Lake. See fur seals, whales and dolphins on optional cruises. Visit Mt Cook, the highest mountain, follow the NZ's longest river and feast on a New Zealand traditional Hangi (cooked under the ground).

All New Zealand Ultimate Our longest North & South Island tour with 23 days full of the best New Zealand attractions, including a 12m yacht sail on Auckland Harbour, visits to Kiwi Fruit & Avocado Orchards, and the famous Greenstone Valley 3 day Walk/Trek. It will be hard to describe this trip to friends, other than 'Fantastic'. If you've seen where the other tours go, then this will probably include it all. From Auckland, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Dunedin, Queenstown, Milford Sound to Christchurch, this is a tour worth short listing.

Ultimate South Island For a refreshing change this special 15 day tour from Wellington includes the famous Greenstone Valley 3 day trek or around 32 km of awe inspiring scenery on foot. The reward at the finish is overnight on the famous Milford Mariner cruise ship as it navigates to hidden reaches of Fiordland. Relax on the Interislander Cruise from Wellington to Picton, then onto Nelson for a 2 hour walk along pristine coastline. Your coach guide will entertain you on the way to Fox Glacier, a most accessible glacier, in a stunning position by the sea. At Wanaka you can walk along the River to a beautiful picnic spot. Soak up the alpine atmosphere with a Scottish Haggis Ceremony in Dunedin, then view the unusual, rounded boulders at Moeraki. Coach past the tallest Mt Cook, on your return to Christchurch.

Films Made in this Region

Perfect Strangers 2003, was filmed in nearby Blenheim.

Eating & Sleeping

Regional Specialties & Cuisine

The Nelson region is a gourmet's paradise. When you visit you will see why. Driving around the Nelson region you will pass stalls selling fresh produce, vineyards, orchards, fishing ports, and breweries. Dining experiences await, dine under the vines, or along Nelson waterfront. Don't miss the cafe scene in Trafalgar Street. Scallops are abundant in the region, along with fresh seafood, often smoked.

Accommodation

There are comfortable private lodges at The Anchorage, Awaroa and Torrent Bay. The Department of Conservation provides four 'Great Walk' hikers' huts along the Coastal Track and four standard huts on the inland tracks. These huts have mattresses, water and toilets - some have cooking facilities. Campsites with water, toilets and fireplaces are also available within the park. Bookings are required in peak season.

Various types of accommodation can be found at the settlements of Marahau and Kaiteriteri at the southern end of the park, and Totaranui at the northern end.