About Nelson / New Zealand
The township of Nelson New Zealand clings to the foothills on the Western side of a series of rugged ranges that stretch right across the top of the South Island. Nelson New Zealand proper occupies a small area of river flat, and most of its houses are perched on the surrounding hills.
Nelson National Parks
St Arnaud, gateway to the Nelson Lakes National Park is situated at the northern end of the Southern Alps. The Nelson Lakes National Park is at a junction between the Wairau Valley, the gateway to the winemaking region of Marlborough, and the Nelson Region, Golden Bay and the Abel Tasman National Park.
Nelson Port & Beach
An extraordinary natural breakwater known as the Boulder Bank encloses Nelson's harbour. Over 5 km long, it is almost dead straight, and runs from a rocky bluff near the spot where the main Picton road emerges from to the hills, stopping just short of Tahunanui Beach. It encloses a long narrow body of water that has been dredged and filled to make a home for NZ's biggest fishing fleet and a thriving shipping port.
Nelson City
The town is definitely low rise, and the steeples of the wooden churches that were built by early settlers still dominate the skyline. A thriving cafe culture has established itself, and any number of coffee carts and sidewalk cafes provide a great excuse to go to town and watch the girls and boys go by. The Suter, a nationally respected art gallery, has been open since 1899. An innovative program of visiting exhibitions share space with the gallery's own priceless collection of early works by artists such as John Gully and Toss Woolleston, both of whom were residents of the Nelson area.
The city has four supermarkets, and a fabulous Saturday morning market that draws buyers and vendors from all over the region. Fresh produce, crafts, clothing, musical instruments, cafes, white elephants - the range of stuff for sale is an attraction second only to the marvelous variety of people who wander through the stalls. A splendid place to soak up the real flavour of Nelson!
Greater Nelson Area
The greater Nelson area spreads out across the rolling farmlands and fertile plains of Tasman district, encompassing Richmond, Motueka, Brightwater, Moutere, Mapua and over the bay to Kaiteriteri and the start of the Abel Tasman National Park. The roads are beautifully built, and pass through some of the most scenic farmland and river valleys in the country.
Most roads are interestingly curved, making them a driver's delight. They are well sealed, little used, and provide some of the worlds finest motorcycle touring. For a car driver accustomed to clogged motorways, they are a real treat, and it is well worth choosing the longer route wherever you can.
The winter months (July to September) bring still clear days and crisp nights. It is not uncommon for the vapour trail of a morning aircraft to remain in the sky all day long. Rainbow Ski field is under an hour and a half's drive from town, and offers winter sports, while the Abel Tasman walkway is at its crisp, clear best - without the crowds!
Summer sees the beaches come right into their own. Tahunanui is a very safe family beach just five minutes from the centre of town and lays on sun, sand, sandhills and wide open spaces just the way they used to be.
Around the other side of the Bay, Kaiteriteri, Ruby Bay and Marahau - at the start of the Abel Tasman Park - are thriving beachfront communities where nobody bothers to get out of their swimming costumes in January.
Be warned though. There are many, many people just like you who have come for a visit, gone home, sold up and moved in. It's that kind of place.
Read more about Nelson highlights - Food & Drink and Activities.