- Plan Your Holiday
- Find Great Travel Deals
Nelson Information
Highlights of Nelson Region
The Southern Alps find their beginning in Nelson Lakes National Park, 102,000 hectares of mountains..
Abel Tasman National Park InformationIt would be hard to imagine a more perfect piece of coastline - clear turquoise waters, golden..
Golden Bay InformationBefore you lay eyes on Golden Bay, you'll enjoy an amazingly scenic road journey. The long, slow..
Abel Tasman Coast Track InformationMostly within the boundaries of Abel Tasman National Park, the Abel Tasman Coast Track combines all..
See all locations in Nelson RegionNelson Information
Hardy European pioneers founded the beautiful city of Nelson, New Zealand in 1842, although this bountiful, temperate region had been home to Māori for many centuries. Today Nelson has the busiest port in the country and has gained an international reputation as a centre of arts. Nelson and Richmond also boast the highest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand.
From Nelson city centre you can hire a car, arrange sightseeing tours and take coach/bus services available from the city. Many tourism operators provide transport to and from activities throughout the region.
Nelson is one of the foremost destinations in New Zealand for exploring the outdoors, stretching from the foothills of the Maitai Valley to the shores of Tasman Bay. The crystal clear Maitai River flows through the city and its path to the sea can be followed via a scenic walkway. Other highlights include Nelson's Queens Gardens, Tahunanui Beach, Cable Bay, Christ Church Cathedral, and the rivers and picnic spots surrounding Richmond.
Nelson and Richmond are a paradise for lovers of coffee and fine art with its numerous galleries and street cafes. Enjoy the year-round sunshine, fine local wines, abundant seafood, and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Take a walk down a heritage trail, drive out to Richmond for a laidback shopping experience, or perhaps indulge in a glass of the region's finest wines in the vineyards just beyond the centre of Richmond.
Nelson has nurtured its artists and today has a thriving, cosmopolitan arts community on the New Zealand scene. Visit The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu, the regional art gallery, or call in at a city studio. The Nelson Arts Festival in October heralds the beginning of the summer festival season.
In and around Nelson and Richmond enjoy: four-wheel motorbikes, kayaking and boating on the harbour, mountain biking, skywire, horse riding, kite-surfing and helicopter rides. Tahunanui Beach offers a family playground, zoological park, mini golf, model railway, hydroslide and roller-skating.
Hotels, motels, boutique, bed and breakfast, backpackers and camping grounds are all either in or near to Nelson city.
Email a travel consultant
Visiting Nelson?
Highlights of South Island
Queenstown is pretty much adventure central any time of year. A resort town on the shores of Lake..
Milford Sound InformationVoted world's top travel destination in the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by..
Christchurch - Canterbury InformationWindswept pastureland, rolling grassy hills, blossoming wildflowers of countless colours, endless..
Fiordland InformationFiordland is a land of timeless beauty, where waterfalls cascade into crystal fiords, rainforests..
Dunedin InformationDunedin is the heart of New Zealand’s Otago Region, on the south-east coast of the South..
Otago Peninsula InformationFlanking the southern edge of Dunedin's extensive harbour, Otago Peninsula is high and rugged on..
Akaroa InformationExperience a little bit of France in New Zealand at Akaroa, the country’s only French..
Doubtful Sound InformationSometimes called the 'Sound of Silence' Doubtful Sound is the deepest (421 metres) and second..
Tauranga Bay Informationn the coastline about 16km south west of Westport, you will find Tauranga Bay and the Cape Foulwind..
Marlborough InformationStart the day with a locally roasted coffee before taking a kayaking trip and watching dolphins..
Hokitika InformationHokitika was first settled in 1860, after the discovery of gold on the west coast. It was an..
Central Otago InformationCentral Otago is a region touched by history, with a powerful landscape of ancient mountains..
Dunedin - Coastal Otago InformationDunedin’s legendary gardens at Glenfalloch and Larnach Castle, are a profusion of colour and..
Lake Wanaka InformationLake Wanaka is a place to take a deep breath and relax. Protected from the outside world by the..
Southland InformationSouthland comes to life in spring. Crisp frosty mornings give way to bright sunny days. Bird life..
West Coast Region InformationSpring brings with it the freedom to roam 600km of stunning rugged West Coast scenery. Along its..
See all locations in South IslandPopular Searches
























