Nelson|South Island|New Zealand

Nelson is the northern most city in the South Island of New Zealand. It is also the second oldest city in New Zealand and the first place in the South Island where early European immigrants settled down.

It is set in a basin between the Arthur and Richmond Ranges. At first glance, it may look like just another coastal town surrounded by mountains, however once you have been there awhile you become aware of what an extraordinary place it is with its combination of glorious golden sand beaches, alpine lakes, forested hills and national parks.

Nelson is the sunniest place in New Zealand with an array of stunning beaches most notably in Golden Bay, and gorgeous vineyards producing world-class wine. It is a beehive of artistic activity through painters and potters who have settled down in droves over the years.

The arts trail extends from Richmond to Motueka and is punctuated by stunning landscape and dotted with cute home studios. It is home to three national parks namely Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi.

Nelson is a hotbed of alternative therapies such as reflexology, herbal treatments, aromatherapy, reiki and iridology. Courses in meditation, spiritual healing, pilates and yoga are very popular here.

Offbeat skills such as Feldenkrais, Shiatsu and Hot Stone Massage Therapy are also practiced here. Nelson has a variety of activities to nurture the body and soul, as well as top quality luxury accommodation.

Nelson City

Nelson city is a fine blend of historic and modern architecture ranging from the imposing Christ Church Cathedral to the brand new Nelson Provincial Museum. The Centre of New Zealand is at the top of an enjoyable 25 minute walk up a steep hill which claims to be the geographical center of New Zealand.

The Nelson Market in Montgomery Square is an opportunity for the varied arts community of Nelson to display their unique crafts, and there is also a delicious array of gourmet treats to sample as you make your way through the stalls.

Nelson offers a wide variety of cuisine options accompanied by some of the finest wines in the country. There is a wide choice of ethnic, organic and seafood restaurants, as well as great cafes offering excellent local coffee.

Nelson is acclaimed for its nightlife especially on the weekends when the city comes alive with entertainment put on by many of the restaurants. For a fun night of drinking and dancing, your best bet would be live music around Trafalgar Square or the pubs and bars on Bridge Street.

Nelson has its fair share of festivals despite losing its precious World of Wearable Arts Show to Wellington. The Nelson Arts Festival, Nelson Summer Festival and Nelson Jazz Festival are all highlights in this city's annual calendar.

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Richmond

Richmond is a beautiful town located 13 kms south of Nelson. It boasts the Richmond Ranges which are a haven for mountain biking and hiking. The accommodation in Richmond provides easy access to Nelson. It is also a hub of art galleries and roadside fruit stalls.

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Motueka

As you go north west of Nelson, 47 kms away is the town of Motueka which is probably the best accommodation base for exploring the world famous Abel Tasman National Park, a truly special place with golden beaches, calm lagoons, deep estuaries and forested hills all converging upon amazingly clear water.

You can experience this mind blowing natural beauty through a myriad of activities such as sea kayaking, swimming, sailing, diving, fishing, snorkeling, cruises and swimming with the seals.

Motueka prides itself on its small town charm, organic produce and fantastic cafes supplied by its bountiful orchards and vineyards. It is also famous for tandem skydiving, adventure horse riding and alpine hiking.

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Marahau

Marahau is a quaint town located at the Southern entrance of the Abel Tasman National Park. Almost all the tours and tourist service providers operate from Marahau. There is a wide variety of decent accommodation available and Marahau has a couple of great eating places.

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Golden Bay

The picturesque Golden Bay starts with the northern fringe of the Abel Tasman National Park and extends into the Farewell Spit against the magnificent backdrop of the Kahurangi National Park which covers 40,000 square kms of the northwestern South Island.

It is encircled by huge mountains on three sides and waves gently lapping the shores on the fourth side. The coastline is marked by clear water and the interior region is famous for its beautiful fresh water springs, the Te Waikoropupu Springs.

The small town of Takaka offering decent accommodation is the heart of Golden Bay. Alternatively, Golden Bay is just over the huge Takaka Hill from Motueka, Richmond or Marahau for additional accommodation options.

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Nelson Lakes

The Nelson Lakes National Park, about 120 kms southwest of Nelson, is made up of two glacial lakes namely the Rotoiti and the Rotoroa which in turn combine to form the headwaters of the Buller river.

The Park is surrounded by beautiful mountains and covered by beech forests, home to some exquisite birdlife. This part of the region is known for some lovely scenic hiking.

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Murchison

Murchison is a small town 125 kms south west of Nelson famous for rafting, kayaking, fishing, and hunting. The Buller River provides excellent white water rapids and a rich source of trout. The Mokihinui and the Karamea rivers also provide excellent rafting and kayaking adventures.

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Nelson Transportation

There are several domestic flights into Nelson from Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. The closest international airports to Nelson are Wellington and Christchurch.

The Nelson airport is 15 minutes drive from the city. Road transport in the form of regular coach services is well connected to Christchurch and Picton. There are buses running regularly from Nelson to the periphery of the Abel Tasman National Park. You can also hire your car rental or campervan hire to tour the region independently.

Nelson Accommodation

Nelson Activities