Nelson Travel Guide

  Hiking group - Abel Tasman National...
by chizz
 
  • Hiking group - Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson
      Hiking group - Abel Tasman National...
    by chizz
  •   Nelson
    by iammon
  • Appleby area
      Appleby area
    by balhannah
  • The Devil's Boots
      The Devil's Boots
    by balhannah
  • Split Apple Rock
      Split Apple Rock
    by iammon
 

Explore Nelson

Things to Do  

Visit the Vineyards and Wineries of Nelson

Visit the Vineyards and Wineries of Nelson, Nelson

 cnango Says:  There are several wineries and vineyards scattered around Nelson. With its warm ideal climate for growing grapes Nelson has become New Zealands fastest growing wine region. Enjoy a scenic drive through Nelsons wine trail and be sure to visit one of its many wineries and... 

Take a Historical Architecture Walk

Take a Historical Architecture Walk, Nelson

 cnango Says:  The historical centre of Nelson is one of the oldest cities (if not the oldest) in New Zealand. The architecture is really wonderful, maybe even better than the Art Deco City of Napier in the Hawkes Bay region of the North Island. Both of these New Zealand cities are known... 

Take a Scenic Drive

Take a Scenic Drive, Nelson

 cnango Says:  Nelson has so much pristine open space outside the city limits, we had to take a road trip on a scenic drive to Golden Bay. Along the way you will see beautiful mountains, fields of grain, rustic fences ,green valleys and native bush. 

Kayak Abel Tasman National Park

Kayak Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson

 iammon Says:  Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealands premier sea Kayaking destination and you should not miss it. The natural beauty is stunning: golden beaches, clear waters, lots of wildlife.There is a big choice of diffrent trips you can do. Unfortunately, when we were there the... 

Grape Escape

Grape Escape, Nelson

 wkcsmt Says:  There are several things that you can do here...Enjoy lunch or morning / afternoon tea @ The Grape Escape Café and Wine Bar. It is famous for its patisserie and freshly made cakes. Open daily 10am-4:30pm, except Christmas & Boxing Days, Good Friday & Anzac Day Morning.Taste... 

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson

 wkcsmt Says:  You'll see the bell tower of this church from the city. A flight of steps will lead you up to the church. I don't know the history of the chuch, but just admiring the architecture of it. Well, you'll have to know this is part of my occupation habit (of an architect)... Walk... 

Höglund Art Glass - International Glass Centre

Höglund Art Glass - International Glass Centre, Nelson

 wkcsmt Says:  Höglund Art Glass in Richmond, is situated in a park-like setting with glassblowing studio, glass engraving, glass galleries, exhibition hall, licensed café and beautiful gardens. Here Ola and Marie Höglund create stunning hand blown art glass, in striking colours and... 

Nelson Bone Carving

Nelson Bone Carving, Nelson

 groovy_23 Says:  This 5 hour class was a creative and fun day in Nelson. The teacher was a German guy named Stephan Gilberg who really knew his stuff and was a very patient teacher. The class cost $55 NZ and was worth every penny! I came away with a unique pendant that I designed and created... 

PELORUS BRIDGE

PELORUS  BRIDGE, Nelson

 balhannah Says:  The Pelorus Bridge location was set aside for a future township, but in the early 1900s this was changed to preserve the area's natural beauty. The area is beautiful, there is a beautiful scenic reserve that is ideal to stop and take a rest from driving. There are some easy... 

NELSON CATHEDRAL

NELSON  CATHEDRAL, Nelson

 balhannah Says:  Nelson Cathedral was located on a rise in Trafalgar Square. It dominates the skyline. A dull, grey colour, on a dull grey day, it did not look that impressive. It is surrounded by nice gardens, and is located close to the shops, galleries and museums. 

AORERE VALLEY & THE DEVIL'S BOOTS

AORERE  VALLEY &  THE DEVIL'S BOOTS, Nelson

 balhannah Says:  We headed into the Aorere Valley, once a famous gold panning area, to see an attraction called the "Devil's Boots" These are a pair of large limestone outcrops, located either side of the road. They look like giant boots sticking upside down in the ground! Not really worth... 

STROLL THE LONG MAIN STREET @ MOTUEKA

STROLL THE LONG MAIN STREET @ MOTUEKA, Nelson

 balhannah Says:  Motueka, and we pulled in at the Motueka Top 10 caravan park for the night. This was a big, lawned park, located about 300 metres from the main street. No complaints about staying here!We walked to the main street and along it, it is a LOOOOONG street, one that I found... 

Hotels  

DeLorenzo's Studio Apartments Nelson

 1 Review and 40 Opinions  Steer clear if you expect clean, ironed sheets. On turning bed down, we found un-ironed, and... 

Trailways Motor Inn

 1 Review and 59 Opinions  Just round the corner of the central business district this makes for an ideal leisure stay. We had... 

Restaurants  

The Boat Shed, Nelson, New Zealand: Did they change owners? Pretentious and overpriced

The Boat Shed, Nelson, New Zealand: Did they change owners? Pretentious and overpriced, Nelson

 Ms_Lizzy Says:  The Boat Shed is situated in a beautiful location on the waterfront in Nelson, New Zealand. While there are a lot of tables crambed into a smallish space, you forgive that because of the view over the ocean. It really is a very pretty setting.On the downside, the menu is... 

The Boat Shed Café - Café, Bar, Restaurant: Seafood Haven

The Boat Shed Café - Café, Bar, Restaurant: Seafood Haven, Nelson

 wkcsmt Says:  Voted Nelson's Best Restaurant 4 years in a row (2000-2003). It is a great place to enjoy the award winning cuisine - wonderful setting / atmosphere with fantastic views.You'll find fresh seafood dishes to you won't resist... feel like trying more than one on the menu. If... 

Best Fush n Chups in the South Island

Best Fush n Chups in the South Island, Nelson

 Thommmo56 Says:  For those who just cant do with out the fish n chip hit, near The Customs house hotel on Wakefield Qy we sat on the pier there at sunset, with the best I had tasted for a long time, I think the fish was Blue Cod, just the best way to finish a day of touring. 

Shopping  

Atawhai Four Square: Dodgy

Atawhai Four Square: Dodgy, Nelson

 Citygal11 Says:  Absolute rip off & the tall guy that served me could not have been ruder. What a pity - nearly ruined an otherwise perfect stay in Nelson. Avoid this shop - there are many other places more deserving of your money. Steer clear of rude nasty people like this who let down an... 

Jens Hansen Gold & Silversmith Shop: The LOTR jewelery, designed & Made in Nelson

Jens Hansen Gold & Silversmith Shop: The LOTR  jewelery, designed & Made in Nelson, Nelson

 cnango Says:  Jens Hansen Gold and Silver Shop is a family owned Jewelery store and workshop,If you are a fan of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy this shop is for you. The ring from LOTR was designed and created here. Come in and see the real thing. You could also buy an authentic LOTR ring... 

Tourist Traps  

Taking home wine bought on your trip

Taking home wine bought on your trip, Nelson

 Ms_Lizzy Says:  We bought some local wine to drink while we were in Nelson, New Zealand and still had a bottle left when we left to go home. We packed it in our cabin baggage. Unfortunately, you can't travel with wine in your cabin baggage and we had to throw it away. So, if you are taking... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Rabbit Island

Rabbit Island, Nelson

 wkcsmt Says:  Rabbit Island is about 20km west of Nelson (15 minutes drive from Nelson) & is a popular picnic spot. The island is reachable by a bridge that crosses the estuary behind the island. Most of the island is pine plantations, with a public picnic area in the middle of the front... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Anchors Away Mates !

Anchors Away Mates !, Nelson

 cnango Says:  Cat-O-Nine Charter out of the Wakefield Quay in Nelson offers charter services for fishing, diving and sightseeing. The overnight cruise is really nice and tranquil under the stars. By day the fishing is great and the West Coast scenery beautiful. And if you have luck... 

 
Explore Deeper into Nelson

The Place

Plan a Nelson vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Nelson locals

Experience Nelson
  •   89 Tips and Reviews
  •  128 Photos
  Share your Travels  
Map of Nelson
 

The People

30 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
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 Rabbit Island is about 20km west of Nelson (15 minutes drive from Nelson) & is a popular picnic spot. The island is reachable by a bridge that crosses the... 

30 members live in Nelson

 

Questions and Answers

frederikranke profile photo

Q:  What's the normal water temp in the Nelson area in the NZ summer? Kind regards Frederik 

JohanIsWeg profile photo

A: Warm enough to swim! 

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Top Nelson Writers

1

Sunny Nelson

wkcsmt profile photo

 Nelson, the 2nd oldest city & sunniest in New Zealand, is a region rich in contemporary arts & crafts. There are more than 350 working artists and craftspeople living in Nelson, including traditional... 

2

Nelson

cnango profile photo

 Nelson is a charming beach town with a lot of historical homes,shops & restuarants.It is also home to a lot of Kiwi artists. I enjoyed browsing and purchasing some works of art. Nelson also has... 

3

Nelson

groovy_23 profile photo

 Nelson is a cute little town at the top of the south island. Neat town if you just want to relax but you can also use it as a jumping off point to get to the Abel Tasman Park. I went paragliding which... 

4

Nelson

Lozza_9 profile photo

 We had a long drive from Franz Josef to Nelson. It took about 6 -7 hours ;-(. I found Nelson a very strange place and I don't know why. We arrived late and tried to get some food. We found out that... 

5

On the Way to Nelson

Lozza_9 profile photo

 To break up the journey, we visited the Pancake rocks and Blow holes. Unluckily, the blow holes where not working. We had lunch in the cafe. The food was ok but not one of the best in New Zealand. It... 

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