Located at the top of the North-West of the South Island, Nelson is the sunniest place in New Zealand. Here, you can enjoy arts and crafts, plenty of shopping, great creative culture and beautiful beaches. Nelson is also a great gateway to the Tasman Bay, where you can arrange a hike on the beautiful Abel Tasman Track.
Is it worth visiting Nelson NZ?
By Pete R. Nelson, a coastal city on the northeastern tip of the South Island, is famous for its laid-back vibe, beautiful sunshine, and long golden beaches. It is one of the best towns to visit in New Zealand if you are looking for a nice relaxing time, away from all the other tourist hotspots.
How many days do you need in Nelson?
3-5 Day Itineraries
A multi-day escape is perfect for exploring everything that this extraordinary region has to offer, from our trifecta of national parks to our local artisan markets, and our scenic cycle trails to our golden sandy beaches.
Why do people go to Nelson?
Along with endless rows of vineyards, Nelson is also the place to be for beaches, rivers and national parks, making it one of the most scenic places in the country. Mountain biking, water sports, fishing and hiking are all activities that Nelsonians enjoy daily.
How do you spend a day in Nelson?
What to See in Nelson in 1 Day
- Stroll Along the Maitai River. Start your day trip to Nelson by strolling near the Maitai River.
- Get a New Zealand Pie.
- Tahunanui Beach.
- Centre of New Zealand.
- Christ Church Cathedral.
- Coffee at Fords.
- Beer / Cider at The Vic Mac’s Brewbar.
- Dinner in Nelson.
What’s special about Nelson NZ?
Kahurangi National Park
Nelson Tasman is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, with diverse geography capturing everything from long golden beaches to untouched forests and rugged mountains. Perhaps it’s the sun, perhaps it’s the location, but Nelson Tasman has long been a magnet for creative people.
What’s Nelson famous for?
Nelson, famous for its sunshine, long golden beaches and national parks. Nelson, the geographical centre of New Zealand. The Nelson region is famous for its year-round sunshine, long golden beaches, national parks, locally grown produce, freshly caught seafood, and a large creative community of working artists.
Why is Nelson BC so popular?
With over 350 heritage buildings, Nelson has earned a reputation as one of the finest heritage cities in Canada. Dating back to the late 1800s, most historical buildings are within walking distance of each other, so strolling through town is like opening the history books.
Is Nelson BC beautiful?
Situated right in the rugged Selkirk Mountains on the shorts of Kootenay Lake is this beautiful Canadian city. Known as “The Queen City” because of its 350 restored heritage buildings from the silver rush days, Nelson packs a lot of punch for any visitor.
Is Nelson the sunniest place in New Zealand?
Nelson and Tasman are renowned for receiving a great deal of sunshine, particularly in Nelson City itself where average annual sunshine hours (approximately 2,400 hours) are among the highest recorded in New Zealand.
Is Nelson a hippie town?
Nelson, British Columbia
It’s a bit of a hippie city. Its roots were once in its natural resources, mining and forestry. But these days, this little town a mere eight hour drive from Calgary or Vancouver, is more scenic than industrious.
Does Nelson have a nightlife?
The Nelson nightlife can be pretty good. There are various sports bars and pubs along with some lounges and cocktail bars for a sophisticated nightspot. Nelson also has a nightclub that has DJs and live bands.
Is Nelson friendly?
It’s a welcoming place to visit, child-friendly and with regular live music and wood-fired pizza on offer as well. Nelson is a gorgeous city, surrounded as it is by Tasman Bay, three national parks and protective chains of mountains.
How do you get around Nelson?
How to Get Around Nelson
- Public transportation – Nelson has a public bus that covers all the main sites around town.
- Bike rental – There are a few bicycle rental companies in Nelson, like Nelson Cycle Hire & Tours and Kiwi Journeys.
- Taxis – Like everywhere in New Zealand, taxis here are expensive.
Is parking free in Nelson?
Nelson has approximately 750 parking stalls that are serviced by either a meter or a PayStation (kiosk). Paid parking is in effect from Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most metered spaces have a 2-hour maximum. There are several blocks with 4-hour meters and one block with all-day meters.
Are there penguins in Nelson?
The world’s smallest penguin lives all around the coast of Nelson and Tasman, with a sign alerting motorists to their presence on Rocks Rd. But the population of the little penguin is declining.
Are there sharks in Nelson NZ?
A two-metre bronze whaler shark was caught and released at the Glen in Nelson in 2014. They were commonly seen among swimmers and only became aggressive if there was fish blood in the water.
Why is Nelson so sunny?
Nelson and Tasman have very temperate climates with mild winters and warm summers. We do get plenty of crisp frosts in the winter however that usually makes for a great sunny day. We typically get some rain every month of the year although winter does bring more of it.
What to do in Nelson if it rains?
On the very rare occasion of rain, here are some options for you:
- State Cinema, Nelson.
- Richmond Aquatic Centre.
- Riverside Swimming Pool, Nelson.
- Vertical Limits Climbing Wall, Nelson.
- Nelson Roller Sports – roller skating rink, Tahunanui.
- Tenpin Bowling, Action Centre, Richmond.
- Inflatable World, Action Centre, Richmond.
How long is the ferry from Wellington to Nelson?
The journey time between Wellington and Nelson is around 6h 30m and covers a distance of around 242 km. This includes an average layover time of around 1h. Operated by Interislander and InterCity, the Wellington to Nelson service departs from Wellington – Central and arrives in Nelson.
What is there to see between Nelson and Picton?
The BEST Stops between Picton and Nelson
- Picton. Views of the harbor in Picton!
- Enjoy Queen Charlotte Drive. There are some pretty spectacular views to see along the way.
- Governors Bay Track.
- Aussie Bay Campsite.
- Groves Arm Jetty and Momorangi Bay.
- The Queen Charlotte Tavern.
- Cullen Point Lookout.
- Havelock.