The coastal city of Nelson is located in the northern reaches of the South Island of New Zealand, overlooking the Tasman Bay. It is the major economic, commercial and administrative centre of the region and is known as a popular holiday destination for local and overseas visitors due to its good weather and long hours of sunshine, superb, clean and safe beaches, sheltered harbour and its close proximity to the alpine area of the Lakes National Park, the coastal area of the Abel Tasman National Park and the wilderness area of the Kahurangi National Park. The city is also known for its artistic nature and is home to more than 350 skilled artisans, the Nelson Arts Festival and the World of Wearableart and Collectible Cars Museum.
The compact centre of Nelson is dominated by the Christ Church Cathedral on Trafalgar Street, and has a large range of accommodation, cafes, restaurants, retail outlets, galleries and entertainment to keep any visitor to the city more than happy. Considered to be the geographical centre of New Zealand, Nelson is the second oldest city in the country having been settled in 1841 and today offers visitors an irresistible mix of history and culture, arts and crafts, rest and relaxation, active and adventurous activities. Home to the unique World of Wearableart and Collectable Cars Museum, Nelson is the centre of a vibrant artistic culture that revels in its image as a place for outstanding craftsmen. Their work can be experienced through the many studio galleries and workshops that dot the commercial centre and display pottery, woodwork, metalwork, glass blowing, bone carving, sculpture, painting, jewellery and many others products, and are all celebrated in the annual Nelson Arts Festival. If you wish to buy some arts and crafts, take time out on Saturday and visit the Nelson Markets in Montgomery Square.
If you wish to see the older side of Nelson you will be pleased to learn that unlike other towns in New Zealand, Nelson has retained many Victorian buildings several of which can be found in South Street and date from 1863 to 1867. There is also Broadgreen House on Nayland Road, which is considered to be Nelson’s finest old home as it was built in 1855. It is a typical gentleman’s residence of the mid 1800’s and is an original cob house, fully furnished and equipped with period household goods, recreating life as it was when it was built and is today open to the public. There is also Amber House which is located at 46 Weka Street and is one of the older two storey villas in New Zealand and at one time housed the ‘Cabragh House School’.
Nelson has become a centre of ecotourism and adventure tourism and is a good location to use to explore this beautiful northern region. Nelson provides easy access to two of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ - the Abel Tasman Coast Track which is found in the Abel Tasman National Park, and the Heaphy Track which is located in the Kahurangi National Park. Nelson also has a high reputation among caving enthusiasts due to several prominent cave systems around Takaka Hill, Mount Arthur and Mount Owen which hold the deepest and longest explored caverns in New Zealand. Offering many outdoor activities such as walking, tramping, sailing, tandem skydiving, horse trekking, kayaking and rides by flying fox, Nelson has every angle covered for the active amongst us, and with the opportunity of a visit to a brewery or wine tour, a sightseeing visit to the Boulder Bank historic lighthouse, a trip to Founder Heritage Park or the Nelson Provincial Museum, there is little time for boredom.
Originally established in 1841 on land bought from the Maori by the New Zealand Company, Nelson was a planned city and has grown to be home to approximately 44,000 residents, making Nelson the tenth most populous city in New Zealand. This beautiful area with its Mediterranean climate is home to over 20 boutique wineries producing a good range of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir wines.
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