Nelson Travel Guide With Best Tourist Attractions

It’s got a few distinctions. It’s the geographical centre of New Zealand and is the oldest town on South Island. It’s population is meagre for it’s stature; only 50000 residents, but that’s what makes it so popular among those seeking peace and quiet.

There’s not much to do in Nelson, at least, within the city limits. There’s a couple of museums, a lively and interesting market and a lot of places to just walk around. If you’re here, rent a cycle. It’s the best way to get around. A fact to keep in mid is that Port Nelson is the biggest in Australasia.

Nelson’s true purpose, at least for tourists, is to act as a stepping-stone and gateway to some of South Island’s most scenic natural beauties. This includes the Golden Bay drive, the Abel National Tasman Park and the many beaches that this coast line as to offer. Further out into the ocean are some picturesque islands while on this side of the sands are some lush jungles. For all common attractions that you know Nelson, there are still some unique attractions that maybe most of you don’t know. Head on and explore Nelson itinerary 7 days.

Explore Best Tourist Attractions:

World of Wearable Art & Classic Cars Museum:

You were not expecting to find something like this in this sleepy looking town. These two very distinct exhibits are nevertheless treated as a single entity. The first section (Wearable Art) showcases the garments of the Wellington World of WearableArt Awards, a show famed for its celebration of creative freedom. The displays are set on moving mannequins that then model the outrageous and imaginative costumes to music. It’s startling, intriguing and memorable.

The second part of the museum is hardly less impressive.Bright paint, dazzling chrome and soft, rich upholstery; a hundred classic cars exquisitely maintained and displayed in a manner to showcase to evolution of the vehicle. The museum keeps a dedicated team of mechanics to maintain and restore these beauties. Even for non-autophiles, the displays are so beautifully arranged, that it’ll invoke an almost childlike sense of wonder. And it well should… these are all treasures, from the 1908 Renault AX to the Caddilac Coupe De Ville.

Harwood’s Hole Walk:

A little over an hour’s drive away from Nelson lies this spelunker’s delight. A long rugged walk once you’re off the highway leads you past stunning marble formations and old riverbeds till at the end of it, you stand at the entrance to Harwood’s Hole. This is no place for amateurs; the area is surrounded by sharp limestone formations and the hole (which you cannot see into directly) is 50 metres across, with a 176 metre vertical drop. The cave does have it’s own network; it’s connected to Starlight Cave, which is the exit point for people wishing to explore this system. Abseiling into the cave is thrilling experience, but only if you have prior experience in abseiling. For those xoming with young children, it is sufficient o to just walk up to the hole and back.

Christ Church Cathedral:

The Anglican Church looms over Nelson from the top of the hill in the middle of the city. It was finished in 1965. I’s unusual colour comes from the marble that went into it’s making, from Pakikiruna near Takaka Hill. It’s not large, not is it particularly grand; rather, it’s beaut lies in the serenity it imparts to every visitor. Visit during the service, and you’ll find the choir to be most soothing. The architecture is a mix of traditional and contemporary. Not the stain glass windows too. Another feature rather surprising to find here is the labyrinth. If you want to go through this place, the staff s generally very helpful and informative.

Founder’s Park:

The Founder’s Park is Nelson’s tribute to it’s own history. It’s preserved the way Nelson looked in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The beautiful streets and tranquil gardens are the result of an effort by Nelson citizens in the 1970’s, who even donation over 20000 historic artefacts to the Park. Of the things to do, there’s a plane that kids can clamber over; you can host birthday parties here; check if you can board the train that runs on the weekends; check out the small ship-in-the-bottle exhibit and just stroll around absorbing the atmosphere. If you’re lucky, you might catch the author Lloyd Jones wondering about.

Miyazu Japanese Gardens:

Believe it or not, Nelson is the sister city to Miyazu, Japan. The purpose of sister cities is usually to establish and then develop commercial and cultural ties between the two. Here, this effort is no more beautifully apparent than in the exquisite Miyazu Japanese Gardens. It’s wonderful for a contemplative stroll, and immediately upn entering, the noise of the rest of the world dies away. The garden makes good use of shekkei, which is the art of using the scenery beyond the garden’s borders to enhance the impact and perceived size of the garden itself. Small ponds, little brides, cascades of water and cherry trees… this little slice of Japan couldn’t get better.

Nelson and Monty Market:

Every Saturday morning, about 200 hundred stalls suddenly appear in Montgomery Square to create one of the word’s most charming markets. Hand crafted jewellery, designer clothing, locally made condiments, artwork, toiletries, organic foodstuffs, and excellent coffee stalls… you can find nearly everything here. The emphasis is usually on food, whether regional or seasonal, and most of Nelson will come visit this place for their weekly shopping. On the next day, during the same hours, Monty’s Market will establish itself; a collection of stalls peddling in recycled, vintage and imported goods.

Abel Tasman National Park:

The smallest New Zealand national park is named for the first European who sighted the land in 1642. It’s however, also one of the most popular, partly due to its pristine beaches and convenient coastal tracks that span the beautiful forests on one side and the ocean on another. Maharau and Totaranui are small aboriginal settlements that serve as the entry points to the park. Two main tracks; the Tasman Coastal walk and the Inland Track give access to a world of herons, gulls, penguins, petrels and shags. It’s at the most a two hour drive from Nelson, and the coastal walk is easy enough for most people. One of the key features along the coast is the massive tidal range. When the waters withdraw, they bare golden sands cradling hundreds of shallow pools connected by the occasional streamlet.

Gardens of the World:

Perhaps you’d like to get away from the bustle of the town on a hot day (not that Nelson is ever noisy). Maybe you’d like to set up an easel and paint in peace. Or simply come out with our family for a lively picnic. This is the place to go. There ponds and ducks in those ponds. There’s an elephant (we’ve no idea why).  There’s an obelisk, and lots beautiful green grass and colourful flowers. The garden is frequently used for parties, funerals, weddings and pretty much any event of notes.

Broadgreen Historic House:

This is one of Nelson’s oldest dwellings. Today it’s mostly used as an exhibition house and a place to host events. The Samuel Rose Garden, holding about 3000 beautiful plants over 560 varieties is housed here. It’s also a spot from where some of Nelson’s heritage walks can be started. These include the Rose Walk, Saunter in the Stoke, Settlement in Stoke, and the Isel Park Walk. During school holidays the House organises some fun Children’s Programmes which may include activities such as colonial costuming and treasure hunting. The inside of the house itself is preserved as thing used to be in the 1850’s, offering a rare glimpse into Nelson life in those times.

Wharariki Beach:

On the northern most tip of New Zealand’s South Island, lies this spectacular, gigantic beach. You want to visit at low tide, when a four hour timeframe will be enough to cover most of the beauties this beach has to offer. If you’re lucky, you see some adorable sea lions. If you’re staying away from the water, th old hiking trail is a perfect place from where to catch the sunset. Rolling hills, forests and dunes; the beach is an untouched paradise. Part of the magic od the beach is the wonderful and near constant breeze (it IS strong enough to blow your hat off). Take pictures of the long reaching Farewell Spit and the high cliffs at Cape Farewell.

Kaiteriteri Beach:

Some ways north of Abel these are basically two lovely little beaches separated by a headland. The southern beach is the quiter one, as the northern beach is the main docking point for boats here. There isn’t that much of a difference though. The sand is golden at both; the water is a lovely colour at both. It’s possible to catch a water taxi from here to the Abel Tasman National Park. Ask around, you’re bound to be able to hire some kayaks if you want. Even go seal swimming maybe. It’s a post card perfect seaside town.

Where To Stay

There are many accommodation options for visitors in Nelson to suit every pocket and budget.

1: YHA Nelson Central

This 5-star hostel is located in the heart of the city and is ideal for a visitor wishing to explore the city. The staff is quite helpful with handy tips on local cuisine, restaurants and surrounding places of interest to visit. The kitchen facilities are just excellent and rooms are also comfortable.

2: Amber House

This is lovely and clean bed and breakfast in a lovely 1897 Villa. They offer a full cooked breakfast. The rooms are large and have satellite TV, Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. It is located in the CBD and the service is just as excellent from the hosts.

3: Te Puna Wai Lodge

This lodge has spectacular island, sea and mountain views. The house only has three rooms and offers exclusive and personal service by the owners. All rooms have antique furnishings and the amenities include a comfortable lounge, a deck-like veranda and verdant terrace garden. It is exquisite.

What to see

Nelson is a charming city which will enchant its visitors with its many grand sites.

1: The Centre of New Zealand

The centre is reachable from the Botanic garden and is just a short walk up a hill. The view from the top is simply panoramic. The walk through the exotic and native vegetation is quite therapeutic and gets one to the Trigonometrical Point and Marker at the top.

2: Tahunanui Beach

This is one of the most beautiful and safest family beaches in New Zealand. It is perfect for children and the most popular Beach Café lies just adjacent to it for a quick bite of its great food and drink after a long day at the Beach.

3: Natureland

This is a great location for children and offers a small and not so grand zoo. Children can jump over the very low fences and run or walk around this small zoo. The zoo contains meerkats, wallabies and monkeys, amongst others.

4: Suter Art Gallery

This gallery offers the finest collection of art by the 19^th century artists who include Gully, Lindauer and Van der Velden amongst others. A stroll in the gallery can open a visitor to a whole new world of spectacular works of art.

5: WOW The World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars

The museum is dedicated to the fashion show which was held at Trafalgar Square in September until 2004. The shows are now held in Wellington. They show great and sometimes bizarre fashion made out of metals.

You can best explore the city with Nelson itineraries and get the perfect glimpse of the city with memorable trip-planned.