Nelson Things to Do

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Kaiteriteri is a small town just south of the start of Abel Tasman National Park. It is where most of the water-taxix start their service.

Kaiteriteri is a popular seaside resort in the warmer months with a lovely curved sheltered beach and golden sand. Early morning in the middle of May was too cold for swimming - even for the locals!

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Nelson is situated on beautiful Tasman Bay. When travelling into Nelson from the south on State Highway 6 you come across a coastal walk just as you enter town. Places have been created for fishermen and there is plenty of room for walking or cycling - or you can just drive on by and admire the view.

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Abel Tasman National Park, located at the north end of the South Island west of Nelson, is the smallest of New Zealand's national parks. It was founded in 1942, and is named after Abel Tasman who was the first European to see New Zealand. But good things come in small packages!

The park is mainly hilly country covered in natural forest. It's northern boundary is formed by the waters of Tasman and Golden Bays and extends to the high water mark. The area between the high Water and low water marks is gazetted Scenic Reserve. The Department of Conservation looks after the park and the reserve is under the control of the Tasman District Council.

Tonga Island Marine Reserve is adjacent to the park and there is a substantial seal colony on the island.

The park can only be accessed by foot or by the sea. A number of water taxi companies service the area - some encourage visitors to enjoy a walk along part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

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The park can only be accessed by foot or by the sea. A number of water taxi companies service the area - some encourage visitors to enjoy a walk along part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. This popular track follows the coastline where possible and the less travelled Abel Tasman Inland Track take you further inland. There are a number of camping spots and kayaking is a popular activity.

A popular short walk for day visitors is the coastal track between Bark Bay and Torrent Bay or The Anchorage (depending on the tide). The direction in which you walk is also depending on the tide.

WARNING - you must be totally self sufficient. There are no shops or rubbish bins so you must take what you need to eat and drink and bring your rubbish out with you. Take plenty of water - there are no taps. Sunscreen and insect repellant too!

The walk is not difficult but you need to be on the go and not dawdle too much admiring the views. From Bark Bay to The Anchorage is 3 1/2 hours plus a short ime to rest and eat your lunch. The boat will NOT wait for you as is has a schedule to keep. However they do a head count and know that you are there and if you should miss the boat for any reason someone will come to get you.

After all of that - DO IT! it is great and the scenery is stunning!

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The park can only be accessed by foot or by the sea. A number of water taxi companies service the area - some encourage visitors to enjoy a walk along part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

The start point for most of the water taxi companies is Kaiteriteri Beach. They service the beaches between there and Totaranui in the north combining commentery of the most popular tourist sights along the way.

You take in famous Split Apple Rock, Tonga Island Marine Reserve and the Tonga Island seal colony and the beautiful Awaroa inlet. There is a short stop at Totaranui before the return trip. Passengers may get off at any point and get the next boat. The taxi operators take a head count so they know exactly how many people are walking in the park.

The most popular walk is from Bark Bay to Torrent Bay or the Anchorage - depending on the tide. The direction you walk is also depending on the tide.

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Christ Church Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral located at upper Trafalgar Street. The original Christ Church Cathedral was built at a different site in 1851 but a second church was built on Church Hill in 1887. Construction began on the existing building in 1925. Marble blocks, from the Pakikiruna Range near Takaka were to be used but after the Murchison earthquake the builders agreed it would be too risky not to mention expensive. The marble was crushed and mixed with plaster resulting in the unusual colour and texture.

The steps down to Trafalgar Street are made of granite.

The pipe organ, built in London be T C Lewis, was installed in 1871. It was rebuilt in 1932 and again overhauled some 30 years later. It now consistes of 2500 pipes.

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The rather grim exterior of Christ Church Cathedral in Nelson tends to give you a false impression. Inside the cathedral has a vast open space illuminated by many glorious stained glass windows in both the traditional and modern style.

The Rose Window designed by Beverley Shore-Bennett of Wellington - one of over three hundred of her window designs in New Zealand.

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This garden was established to celebrate the link of Sister City with Miyazu, north of Kyoto Prefecture on the main island of Honshu in Japan. It was opened in 1995.

The gardens fill a small compact area and abound with the features tradionally found in Japanese gardens. Although in suburbia, once you walk trough the entrance gate made of old timber from the docks, you are transported to another place and time. Street noise and most suburban views are gone.