Nelson Activities
What to See and Where to Go around Nelson New Zealand
Despite a population of only around 40,000 people, Nelson in New Zealand has developed a cultural and outdoor life (Abel Tasman National Park) that is the envy of many other parts of New Zealand. What this means for the visitor is that the "activities" on offer are real things that even local people enjoy. The region of Nelson, New Zealand has remained thankfully free of the "tourist attraction" mentality that sees every roadside shed converted into a pay-at-the-door time killer designed for no other purpose than to help bored visitors fill in spare hours.
Höglunds Glass, a world-famous glass-blowing studio, has always welcomed visitors to watch their craftsmen at work. Today they provide a cafe and a farmlet as well, but as a development of the glassblowing, rather than as a trap for tourists.
Likewise, the World of WearableArt Museum has grown out of a unique show that Nelson volunteers have run many years, and which has slowly found its feet as an important symbol of what the city is about. The World of WearableArt Show is an international Art and Fashion event which is now held in Wellington every September. Today the World of Wearable Arts Museum is a stylish, stunning exhibition, but it has developed naturally, it belongs to the city, and it enjoys the support and patronage of locals and visitors alike.
Nelson New Zealand and Tasman Bay's natural attractions are, however, what has attracted people to the region for over 200 years. The magnificent golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park and the stunning mountains and Nelson Lakes of St Arnaud are less than two hours apart. There are braided rivers brimming with trout that run through verdant farmland which produces wines, fruit and an abundance of fresh produce.
The seas around Nelson provide shellfish of all kinds, and the harbour is home to New Zealand's largest fishing fleet. Nelson's climate, with the most hours of sunlight in the whole country, has attracted those who appreciate the good things in life - plenty of leisure, a good climate, and (in particular) the freshest and finest produce available. Our restaurants boast some of the finest chefs in the country, and gastronomic pilgrims find themselves returning time and time again to the tables of such fine restaurants as The Boatshed, Saltwater Cafe or Hopgoods.
Food & Drink
Nelson has one of the highest people to restaurant/cafe ratios in New Zealand. Nelson has no shortage of memorable places to eat.
- Lunch at the Jester House along the coastal highway, tame eels!
- An afternoon tea at Höglund Glassblowing studio.
- Friday lunch at the Boatshed cafe watching the boats go by at Nelson's waterfront.
- Wine tasting at the Nelson wineries - please see a map of Nelson vineyards.
- "The Honest Lawyer", a great name and great place for a meal and a drink.
Activities
Nelson is not a big city with only 40 odd thousand people, so it's often a surprise to many visitors that we do have so many festivals, 
exhibitions and events.
- Suter Art Gallery
- Nelson School of Music
- Nelson Saturday Market
- Summer Festival
- World WearableArts Museum
- Nelson Jazz festival (Christmas/New Year)
- Various community and sporting events
Being sheltered on three sides by mountain ranges and National Parks and the Tasman Bay at its front, Nelson is a natural playground for outdoor activities. From the physical to the relaxing Nelson really is a great place to be and where you really can "Live the Day".
- Walks along Little Kaiteriteri beach
- Mountain biking
- White water rafting
- Kayaking at Cable Bay, Nelson or Kaiteriteri
- Rabbit Island - great beach for the family
- Caving
- Bush and Nature walks
- Centre of New Zealand
Nearby places to go and see
- Mount Arthur
- Source of the Riwaka
- Saint Arnaud and the Nelson Lakes
- Abel Tasman National Park
Places to stay
Nelson is off the traditional main tourist route and as such does not suffer from the "Big hotel, small room, what country am I in now" syndrome that plagues some centres. Nelson is lucky in that we have a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles, from backpackers and hostels through to very exclusive lodges and homes. Have a look at our Nelson Accommodation page to find some recommendations.
Nelson is where traditionally many South Islanders go for their Christmas holidays! And as such, accommodation is at a premium during this time from December through to February, which is probably a good thing as the best time and where Nelson's climate really shines is during Autumn and Winter when the rest of the country is being hammered by cold and wet Southerly winds. So either book well in advance or plan your trip to take advantage of the off peak season.