Nelson (New Zealand)

Nelson is named after the British Admiral, Lord Nelson. It's a beautiful coastal city set amongst some of New Zealand's most stunning scenery. With over 2,500 hours of sunshine a year, Nelson is also usually New Zealand's sunniest city. The city is the economic and cultural centre for the Nelson-Tasman region and offers an excellent range of shopping, eating and cultural experiences with an abundance of parks, rivers, beaches and nature trails to explore.
The Nelson region covers five distinct geographic areas:

• The urban agglomeration of Nelson & Richmond
• The highways of Mapua, Motueka, Moutere, through rolling horticultural land
• The idyllic coastline of Abel Tasman National Park
• The heart of the parks, Golden Bay between Kahurangi and Abel Tasman national parks
• The alpine lakes and rivers around St Arnaud - Nelson Lakes & Murchison including Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi national parks

The Nelson economy is based on the ‘big four’ industries of seafood, horticulture, tourism and forestry. Port Nelson is the biggest fishing port in Australasia and there are also a range of growth industries, including arts and craft, aviation, engineering technology, and information technology.
Nelson is New Zealand's oldest city. (Although it was only proclaimed a Bishop's See and city under letters patent by Queen Victoria on 27 September 1858 and after Christchurch's city charter, Pakeha settlement had started in earnest in Nelson in 1841, a full nine years before the good ship Charlotte-Jane arrived in Christchurch on 16 December 1850.)
Nelson is the city where, if asked, most Kiwis say they would like to move to and has a small but rapidly growing Māori population. per capita, Nelson also has the highest settled population of people from Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines and the United Kingdom in New Zealand. There are also large concentrations of settled refugees from Bhutan and Burma, in the Victory Square and Wood areas, including the largest population of Kayan (Yan Pa Doung in Shan or "Padaung") outside of the Golden Triangle. The Kayan Lahwi (some of whose high status women used to wear brass neck coils) were treated as a sort of "human zoo" before they left South East Asia because of their long ("giraffe") necks. All this harmonious ethnic diversity means that the shops and Saturday morning market (in Montgomery Square) are a great place to buy foods and delicacies difficult to find elsewhere in New Zealand.
The Top of the South region's tourism organisation is Nelson Tasman Tourism, which operates i-SITE Visitor Information Centres in Nelson City, Takaka in Golden Bay and in Murchison.

By bus

InterCity Coachlines is New Zealand's national coach company and operates over 150 services to more than 600 destinations nationwide. Daily services connect into Nelson from around the South Island.

By plane

Nelson Airport is the 6th busiest in New Zealand and still succeeds in delivering checked baggage very quickly. It has a Koru lounge upstairs (lift access) with a good view of flight operations and the Kahurangi Ranges across Tasman Bay.

• Air New Zealand offers regular flights to and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and other provincial cities.
• Jetstar flies to and from Auckland and Wellington, but this will cease after 30 Nov 2019.
• Originair flies direct to and from Palmerston North four times a week.
• Sounds Air offers flights around the Nelson Bays and on to Wellington.

There is no public bus service at the airport (NBus route 2 stops at Annesbrook Drive/Quarantine Road, about 1km away). Supershuttle offers shared (in practice, often solo) van service for about half the cost of a taxi.

By boat

There are frequent ferry services with Bluebridge and Interislander across the Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton with bus connections to Nelson.

By car

Two hours driving from Picton, 1.5h from Blenheim and 6h driving from Christchurch via either SH1 and Kaikoura or the slightly shorter and more scenic SH6 route over the Lewis Pass and via Murchison.

The original city centre, comprising the CBD and The Wood is small enough to walk around, but for access from the surrounding suburbs and around the sites and attractions of the whole city and region you'll likely want to rent a car, take a taxi, or have a fresh set of legs and a bicycle.

By bus

Nbus services run daily on the first route, Monday to Saturday on the next four routes and Monday to Friday only on the last route:
# Richmond via Tahunanui and Stoke
# Atawhai via The Wood
# Victory Sqare/Hospital
# The Brook
# Washington Valley/Port Hills.
# Richmond via Bishopdale and Stoke
For late night party goers there is also an excellent "Late Late Bus" which runs on the hour Friday and Saturday nights only from 22.00 until 03:15 from Trafalgar Street to Richmond. The outbound service travels via Tahunanui and stops as required at designated, well-lit stops. The inbound service leaves Richmond on the half hour and travels into the city via Bishopdale. (There is no midnight service from Nelson and no 00.30 service from Richmond). Fare: $4.

By bicycle

Nelson has a network of cycle routes for leisure and mountain biking.

• Christ Church Cathedral Nelsona historic and often photographed Nelson landmark. Features iconic granite steps from Trafalgar Street to the Cathedral. Sunday Eucharist and Evensong services, usually with Choir.

• Elliott Street heritage precinctTo 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 twenty four-lot, Winearls Settlement for Workers Homes, still remain, and thirty one houses are listed heritage buildings."

• Founders ParkA collection of historic buildings that were re-located from sites in Nelson, many with interior mini-museums or historical displays. There is also an organic brewery (the only one in the Southern Hemisphere) with an attached cafe that serves good meals. There is also a craft bakery, and a chocolate shop, and a railway that runs on weekends. A great place to spend a half day or more.

• Melrose House

  phone: +64 3 548-9179
  address: 26 Brougham St
  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

  Museum: Town Acre 445

  phone: +64 3 548-9588
  address: 266 Hardy St
  A terrific local museum utilising the very latest display technology.

• WOW The World of Wearable Art and Collectable CarsA museum dedicated to the fashion show that was held in the Trafalgar Centre over seven nights in September each year until 2004. (The shows are now held in Wellington, but the museum remains in Nelson.) Thousands of people come from all over the world to see the most amazing (and sometimes bizarre) fashions made out of all kinds of materials. There is literally no limit to the exhibiting designer's imaginations.

• Suter Art GalleryHas a large collection with emphasis on works by such 19th century artists as Gully, Lindauer and Van der Velden. Free entry on Saturdays.

• Miyazu Japanese GardenInspired 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.

• Natureland, 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.
• Tahunanui Beach, 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.

• The Centre of New ZealandA 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.

• Fly a kiteThe 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.

• Haulashore IslandThis 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.

• toiletWorldwide, 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

• sealsHaul themselves ashore to sunbathe and relax. In New Zealand, it is a criminal offence to disturb or move any marine mammal and you should not approach too near as they can inflict a nasty bite.

• sand beachThe foreshore is mostly rocky or with pebbles but there is a tiny sandy beach where wind surfers and yachtsmen like to come ashore.

• *

  The Ferry

  phone: +64 3 539-1116, +64 21 634 608
  address: Wakefield Quay
  As well as the Styx bistro, the quay has the early settlers' memorial listing the first few years' worth of ships that arrived here 1841-1850, so there is plenty to keep you occupied if you just missed The Ferry sailing.

Nelson WineriesVisit and taste 23 wineries located around the district.

Nelson WalkwaysOver 22 walks around and in the surrounding district.

Skydive Abel TasmanNelson 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.

Riverside Swimming Pool

phone: +64 3 546-3221

address: Riverside Dr

Heated 30m main lane pool, toddlers' pool and spa pools with jets together with a gym and weights room.

Participate in a

bone carving workshop

phone: +64 3 546-4275

address: 87 Green St

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.

Rodeo

phone: +64 3 522-4667

address: A & P Showgrounds, Queen St, Richmond

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.

Rugby UnionHome of the Tasman Makos that snatched victory in the ITM Cup championships on 25 Oct 2013

Go swimming in the river up the Maitai Valley or Lee River Valley! You can hitch hike up there if you don't have a car. Bring a sandwich and some water.

Creative Workshops

address: 87 Green Street, Nelson

Spend a day with a local artist or craftsman and share his skills and passion.

• Nelson Saturday Market

  address: Montgomery Square car park, central Nelson
  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 14:00.

• Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith

  phone: +64 3 548-0640
  address: 320 Trafalgar Square
  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.'

• Organic Green GrocerNelson 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.

Nelson has a wide variety of excellent cafes and restaurants using fresh local produce. Nelson is the largest fishing port in Australasia, so the fresh seafood is always great!
For the best Fish and Chips within 10,000 miles (according to the Wikimapia author, click the highlighted link to see the exact location right next to Guytons Fisheries Ltd on Wakefield Quay ...)

• Akbabas Turkish Kebab House

  phone: +64 3 548-8825
  address: 130 Bridge St
  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.

• The Beach Cafe and Bar

  phone: +64 3 546-4617
  address: Tahunanui Reserve, Tahuna
  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 and right on the beach. Kids friendly. Highchairs. Parking. Zoo. Tennis and Parklands.

• The Hot Rock Gourmet Pizza Pasta Bar

  phone: +64 3 546-4421
  address: 8-10 Tahunanui Dr
  By the beach this award winning 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.

• My Pie

  address: Rutherford Mews, off Hardy St
  Crafts gourmet meat pies that put plastic-wrapped mass-produced pies to shame. If you have trouble finding their kitchen off Hardy you can find My Pie at the Nelson Saturday Market where they run a cart.

• The Styx

  phone: +64 3 548-1075
  address: 272 Wakefield Quay, Stepneyville

Craft brewing

Early settlers from both England and northern Germany found the hops that they had brought with them grew well in this region and they soon started to develop and propagate peculiarly New Zealand varieties such as Motueka, Nelson and Riwaka. Within a century or so, Nelson grown hops became valued as both high quality and disease free. Nowadays, all of New Zealand's commercial crop is grown in a triangle roughly formed by Brightwater, Motueka and Tapawera. The six week harvesting period in early autumn provides seasonal work for backpackers.
How natural then that Nelson is now renowned as the craft brewing capital of Oceania.
A baker's dozen of craft breweries of varying size now stretch from the Mussel Inn Brewery of Onekaka in Golden Bay to the swanky new bar of Founders Brewery opposite the windmill in Founders Park, Nelson. Most of these breweries welcome visitors for tours and subsequent sampling at their in-brewery bars.

• Founders Brewery

  phone: +64 3 548 4638
  address: 87 Atawhai Dr
  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

Bars

Many bars are located in the Central Business District on Bridge Street between Collingwood and Trafalgar Streets.

• The Free House

  phone: +64 3 548-3887
  address: 95 Collingwood St
  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.

• Milton Street Sprig and Fern Tavern

  address: 134 Milton St, The Wood
  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.

• Pheasant Plucker in the Bush Tavern

  phone: +64 3 548-1424
  address: 87 Grove St, The Wood
  Oldest in Nelson and possibly the South Island (1858); also does home style cooked meals
• The Oyster Bar (115 Hardy St) has fancy drinks and a small menu of seafood items. Fresh oysters are available most of the time while the bar is open Th-Su.

• The Shark ClubHas heaps of American pool tables and billiard tables. Music is generally from the jukebox but DJs are invited to spin on occasion.

• Stingray

  address: 8 Church St
  Has dance music and two bars.

• Hardy Street Sprig and Fern Tavern

  address: 280 Hardy St
  Is a pub in the old-fashioned sense. A place for serious beer drinkers, there are up to 16 types of beer on tap, from lager to stout. There are no televisions or pokies (gambling machines) and the music tends to come from the manager's mp3 player, making it a quiet place to go with friends.

Nelson offers an range of accommodation including backpackers, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), holiday homes, hotels, lodges, resorts, serviced apartments and motels.

Budget

• Maitai Valley Motor Camp

  address: 472 Maitai Valley Rd
  Camp sites from $10, cabins from $40

• YHA Nelson Central

  phone: +64 3 545-9988
  address: 59 Rutherford St
  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.

B&Bs

• AMBER HOUSE - at the centre!

  phone: +64 3 539-0605, +64 21 202 4961 (Mobile)
  address: 46 Weka St
  Open all year, clean Bed and Breakfast 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. Now 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.

• Retiro Park Lodge

  phone: +64 3 545-0118
  address: 152 Teal Valley, RD1 Nelson 7071
  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.

• Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa

  phone: +64 3 528-2027
  address: Postal address only: PO Box 351, Motueka 7143, New Zealand
  Awaroa or 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. 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.

Mid-range

• Awaroa Lodge & Cafe

  phone: +64 3 528-8758
  address: Postal address only: PO Box 422, Motueka 7143
  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.)

• Harbourside Motor LodgeIn Nelson Port with marina views from most of the units. Continental or cooked breakfast available. Close to restaurants, cafes, galleries, shopping.

• Haulashore Views

  phone: +64 4 899-0548
  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.

Splurge

• Rutherford Hotel Nelson

  phone: +64 3 548-2299
  address: Trafalgar Sq West
  Four star plus hotel with suites available. Oceano Restaurant, Miyazu Japanese Restaurant and The Rutherford Cafe on-site.

• Te Puna Wai Lodge

  phone: +64 3 548-7621, +64 21 679-795 (mobile)
  Has a gob-smacking island, sea, bay & mountain view & a solid reputation for providing a unique, high-quality experience. The house is an intricately detailed (on the outside, pleasantly simple inside), 3-floor, mid-Victorian wooden villa: the combination - of view & house - led to the property being included in National Business Review magazine's inaugural list of NZ's Top 100 Houses. Having only three rooms (including 1 apartment with kitchen) means you get a personalized experience from hosts - Richard and James - who are sensitive to their guest's desires for attention or solitude. All rooms have antique furnishings, en suite marble-tiled bathrooms and tea/coffee/fridge. Other guest areas include a comfortable lounge, boat-deck-like veranda & verdant terrace-garden. Beverages & full breakfasts are provided. Te Puna Wai's guests play an essential role in keeping this very special part of NZ's heritage alive & humming.

• Trailways Hotel Nelson

  phone: +64 3 548-7049
  address: 66 Trafalgar St
  Centrally located downtown on the river, a minutes walk from the visitor information centre. 47 air conditioned rooms, award winning restaurant and bar

The iSite (tourist information) offers coin-in-the-slot Internet that is relatively expensive. Directly opposite, the local public library offers both free Wi-Fi and free Internet connected computers to locals and non-locals alike!

Consulates

• Iceland

  phone: +64 3 545-2944
  address: 5 Noel Jones Dr
  Mr Sigurgeir Pétursson is the Honorary Consul but if you are at Port Nelson, 30 Vickerman St may help you contact him.

• Mapua
• Rai Valley – first stop in the Marlborough region
• Wakefield – small town 25 km to the south-west
• Nelson is close (60min drive) to Abel Tasman National Park which offers sea kayaking and the 51 km Abel Tasman Coast Track (one of NZ's Great Walks). Also see Tramping in New Zealand.
• Visit the district museums in Collingwood, Motueka, Takaka and Murchison.