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Nelson is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island. Nelson is in a region often known as Nelson Bays or the "Top of the South" and is actually slightly north of the capital city of Wellington.

Nelson is the geographical centre of the nation and, together with Richmond, has a population of around 50,000 ranking it as New Zealand’s tenth most populous city.

It is surrounded by three National Parks.

Understand

Nelson is named after the British Admiral, Lord Nelson.

It is a beautiful coastal city set amongst some of New Zealand's most stunning scenery. With over 2,500 hours of sunshine a year, Nelson is also usually New Zealand's sunniest city! The city is the economic and cultural centre for the Nelson-Tasman region and offers an excellent range of shopping, eating and cultural experiences with an abundance of parks, rivers, beaches and nature trails to explore.

The Nelson region covers five distinct geographic areas:

• The urban agglomeration of Nelson & Richmond
• The highways of Mapua, Motueka, Moutere, through rolling horticultural land
• The idyllic coastline of Abel Tasman National Park
• The heart of the parks, Golden Bay between Kahurangi and Abel Tasman national parks
• The alpine lakes and rivers around St Arnaud - Nelson Lakes & Murchison including Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi national parks

Its unusual boulder bank protects Nelson from the worst effects of a tsunami

The Nelson economy is based on the ‘big four’ industries of seafood, horticulture, tourism and forestry. Port Nelson is the biggest fishing port in Australasia and there are also a range of growth industries, including arts and craft, aviation, engineering technology, and information technology.

Main street of Founders Heritage Park in The Wood, Nelson

Nelson is New Zealand's oldest city. (Although it was only proclaimed a Bishop's See and city under letters patent by Queen Victoria on 27 September 1858 and after Christchurch's city charter, Pakeha settlement had started in earnest in Nelson in 1841, a full nine years before the good ship Charlotte-Jane arrived in Christchurch on 16 December 1850.)

Nelson is the city where, if asked, most Kiwis say they would like to move to and has a small but rapidly growing Māori population. per capita, Nelson also has the highest settled population of people from Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines and the United Kingdom in New Zealand. There are also large concentrations of settled refugees from Bhutan and Burma, in the Victory Square and Wood areas, including the largest population of Kayan (Yan Pa Doung in Shan or "Padaung") outside of the Golden Triangle. The Kayan Lahwi (some of whose high status women used to wear brass neck coils) were treated as a sort of "human zoo" before they left South East Asia because of their long ("giraffe") necks. All this harmonious ethnic diversity means that the shops and Saturday morning market (in Montgomery Square) are a great place to buy foods and delicacies difficult to find elsewhere in New Zealand.

Nelson i-SITE at Millers Acre Centre

The Top of the South region's tourism organisation is Nelson Tasman Tourism, which operates i-SITE Visitor Information Centres in Nelson City, Takaka in Golden Bay and in Murchison.

Get in

By bus

InterCity Coachlines [1] is New Zealand's national coach company and operates over 150 services to more than 600 destinations nationwide. Daily services connect into Nelson from around the South Island.

Mareikura (Noble Lady), the oldest known matai tree, 2000 years old, in Happy Valley, near Nelson

Naked Bus [2] stops in Nelson and offers $1 fares on most of their routes. Finding these fares can be difficult but rewarding.

By plane

Nelson Airport is the 4th busiest in New Zealand. It is serviced by Air New Zealand and Sounds Air.

Air New Zealand offer regular flights to and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and other provincial cities. Sounds Air offers flights around the Nelson Bays and on to Wellington.

By boat

Frequent Cook Strait ferry [3] services between Wellington and Picton with bus connections to Nelson.

By car

Two hours driving from Picton, 1.5 hr from Blenheim and 6 hr driving from Christchurch via either SH1 and Kaikoura or the slightly shorter and more scenic SH6 route over the Lewis Pass and via Murchison.

Get around

Click this caption to view a full-screen, interactive map of Nelson
Map Data © OpenStreetMap contributors

The original city centre, comprising the CBD and The Wood is small enough to walk around, but for access from the surrounding suburbs and around the sites and attractions of the whole city and region you'll likely want to rent a car, take a taxi, or have a fresh set of legs and a bicycle.

The City is serviced by a bus service which runs Monday to Saturday on four main routes: 1) Toitoi/Hospital, 2) Atawhai, 3) Brook/Maitai and 4) Washington Valley/Port Hills. Please see Nelson Bus Information.

For late night party goers there is also an excellent bus service which runs hourly until 03:15 from Trafalgar Street to Richmond.

By bicycle

Nelson has a network of cycle routes for leisure and mountain biking.

See

• 1 Old Faithful. Test image display 

Church Steps (sometimes called the Cawthron Steps) from Trafalgar Street up to the 60's bell tower of Nelson's Christ Church Cathedral

• Christ Church Cathedral Nelson - a historic and often photographed Nelson landmark. Features iconic granite steps from Trafalgar Street to the Cathedral. Sunday Eucharist and Evensong services, usually with Choir.

• The Museum: Town Acre 445 (The Nelson Provincial Museum), 266 Hardy St (corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets), ☏ +64 3 548-9588, fax: +64 3 548-9589, enquiries@museumnp.org.nz. M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa-Su & Public Holidays 10:00-16:30, closed Christmas Day. A terrific new museum utilising the very latest display technology. Free for Nelson residents, otherwise by koha/donation. 

• WOW The World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars. A museum dedicated to the fashion show that was held in the Trafalgar Centre over seven nights in September each year until 2004. (The shows are now held in Wellington, but the museum remains in Nelson.) Thousands of people come from all over the world to see the most amazing (and sometimes bizarre) fashions made out of all kinds of materials. There is literally no limit to the exhibiting designer's imaginations. 

• Suter Art Gallery. Has a large collection with emphasis on works by such 19th century artists as Gully, Lindauer and Van der Velden. Free entry on Saturdays. 

• 2 Miyazu Japanese Garden. Inspired by Nelson's sister city Miyazu in Japan, is a traditional Japanese stroll garden creating a tranquil environment. Look out for the cherry blossoms in spring. 

• Natureland, a relatively small and amateurish zoo. Good for children due to low fences and short walking distance around the zoo. Contains wallabies, monkeys, meerkats, otters, llamas, a small aviary and more.

• Tahunanui Beach, one of the safest and finest family beaches in NZ. The ever popular and reported Beach Cafe lies adjacent to it for great food and drinks. Bus transport to and from Nelson available - see timetable.

1897 Amber House with the Centre of New Zealand visible above the roof line.)

• 3 The Centre of New Zealand. A short walk up a hill close to the city centre and reachable from the Botanic Garden (where the first game of Rugby was played in New Zealand). Good view from the top and an interesting walk through exotic and native vegetation to get to the Trigonometrical Point and Marker at the top. 

• 4 Founders Park. A collection of historic buildings that were re-located from sites in Nelson, many with interior mini-museums or historical displays. There is also an organic brewery (the only one in the Southern Hemisphere) with an attached cafe that serves good meals. There is also a craft bakery, and a chocolate shop, and a railway that runs on weekends. A great place to spend a half day or more. 

Do

• 1 Fly a kite. Afternoons are best. The annual Kite Festival brings enthusiasts from all over the world to Neale Park because of its consistently steady northerly breezes that come from Tasman Bay. These are "Goldilocks" winds - not too fierce and not too slack. Fun for all ages and, once you've begged, borrowed or bought a kite, free of further charges! There are public toilets where you can also get drinking water. Ample free parking in North Road where there is also a childrens playground with a flying fox, swings and climbing frame. Free. 
• Cumulus Paragliding, 7 Tuffnell Street, toll-free: 0800 359 863. 08:00-20:00. Tandem Paragliding Flights over Nelson and the scenery of the Tasman Bay. Paragliding Training lessons. 

• Nelson Wineries. Visit and taste 23 wineries located around the district 

• Nelson Walkways. Over 22 walks around and in the surrounding district. 
• Visit the Nelson Market. It operates all year round in the Montgomery Square car park in the centre of Nelson on Saturday mornings from 08:00-13:00. Stalls overflow with local products - fresh organic vegetables, fruit and flowers, locally farmed organic salmon and many kinds of crafts including silk painting, jewellery, pottery, weaving and wood turning. There are also food stalls and many Nelsonians meet for a late leisurely breakfast at one of the many coffee stalls.

• Take part in one of the Creative Tourism workshops: Art, Taste, Maori Culture or Nature.

• Skydive Abel Tasman. Nelson is one of the best places in the world to sky dive because the jump is on the border of the Southern Alps and Abel Tasman. When you jump, you soar over snow capped mountains, and then hover over a marvellous beach. It's so pristine and unique. 

Buy

• Nelson Saturday Market Not just fruit, vegetables and goat cheeses are on sale; the sheer variety of sculptures, artisan furniture, bone carvings, pottery and forged blades are a testimony to the concentration of artists and craftsmen that choose to live in this, the sunshine capital of New Zealand and come to to chat and sell their wares. Not to be missed, but don't sleep in too late as the market is usually over by 14:00. Montgomery Square.

• Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith, 320 Trafalgar Square, ☏ +64 3 548-0640, studio@jenshansen.com. M-F 09:00-17:00 (17:30 in summer), Sa 09:00-14:00, Su (summer only) 10:00-13:00; Closed Public Holidays. Makers of the "World's Most Famous Ring". Visit the workshop where the original "One Ring" prop for Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies was designed and created. This studio is well-known for producing beautiful, hand-finished jewellery that is uniquely crafted 'to-be-worn.' 
• 1 Organic Green Grocer. Nelson is famous for its fresh and tasty local produce and this rather "alternative" emporium showcases much of the best. Interesting and useful community noticeboards are inside and out and just opposite in Tasman Street, on the corner of Grove Street, are three of the oldest and smallest cottages in Nelson. 

Eat

Nelson has a wide variety of excellent cafes and restaurants using fresh local produce. Nelson is the largest fishing port in Australasia, so the fresh seafood is always great!

For the best Fish and Chips within 10,000 miles (according to the Wikimapia [4] author, click the highlighted link to see the exact location right next to Guytons Fisheries Ltd on Wakefield Quay ...)

• Akbabas Turkish Kebab House (130 Bridge St, ☎ +64 3 548-8825 is one of Nelsons most popular take-away restaurants. They offer wicked veggie and meat kebabs that come wrapped in flat tortilla-like bread. $7-12.

• The Beach Cafe and Bar, Tahunanui Reserve, Tahuna, ☏ +64 3 546-4617. daily. Reviewed in the Sunday Star Times as the place to go - enjoy this all year round beach location with finest home-made food and drink on offer. Always the warmest of welcomes. Best coffee [see New Zealand Coffee Guide] and right on the beach. Kids friendly. Highchairs. Parking. Zoo. Tennis and Parklands. $8 plus. 

• Gianni Pizza, 24 Alton S (just off Nile St), ☏ +64 3 548-8884. Delicious, authentic Italian vegetarian pizzas, and friendly service. Tiny (cosy) sit-in area, or takeaway. 

• The Hot Rock Gourmet Pizza Pasta Bar, 8-10 Tahunanui Dr, ☏ +64 3 546-4421. By the beach this award winning restaurant serves the region's only wood-fired gourmet pizza as well as delicious pasta, healthy salads, hearty ribs, mussels and wicked desserts. Casual and friendly - a must visit in Nelson. $15.50+. 

• My Pie, Rutherford Mews, Off Hardy Street. Crafts gourmet meat pies that put plastic wrapped mass-produced pies to shame. If you have trouble finding their kitchen off Hardy you can find My Pie at the Nelson Saturday Market where they run a cart. $5.. 

• Sticky Fingerz, 135 Bridge St, opens late (after c. 22:00) and stays open until the bars close. They offer fried chicken and chips and the hamburgers that are worth the price. $5-10.

Drink

Many bars are located in the Central Business District on Bridge Street between Collingwood and Trafalgar Streets.

• The Free House, 95 Collingwood St (Opposite the Indian cafe), ☏ +64 3 548-3887. M-Th ~15:00-22:00, F ~15:00-23:00, Sa ~12:00-23:00, Su ~12:00-22:00. a fine pub that serves brews from mostly local micro breweries (Mussel Inn, Moa, Founders, Twisted Hop, Emersons etc.) The beer menu changes regularly. Wine, soft drinks and light food also available. 

• 1 Milton Street Sprig and Fern Tavern, 134 Milton Street, The Wood (just round the corner from Amber House). Awarded New Zealand's 'Best Bar' in the 2012 Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence after winning Nelson 'Bar of the Year' Although they don't do meals themselves, they have a sort of symbiotic relationship with the Takeaway right next door and will even supply cutlery to your table. No piped music - just good beer and conversation 

• Pheasant Plucker in the Bush Tavern, 87 Grove Street, The Wood (down the road from the Organic Greengrocer), ☏ +64 3 548-1424. Su-Th 11:00-21:00, Fr Sa 11:00-22:00. Oldest in Nelson and also does home style cooked meals 

• The Oyster Bar (115 Hardy St) has fancy drinks and a small menu of seafood items. Fresh oysters are available most of the time while the bar is open Th-Su.

• Phat Club (137 Bridge St). Generally has a cover charge which is enough to deter most tourists. This venue has the widest range of music including everything from jazz to hip hop to punk rock to house to electro to jungle to metal to. 
• The Shark Club (132-136 Bridge St). Has heaps of American pool tables and billiard tables. Music is generally from the jukebox but DJs are invited to spin on occasion. 

• Stingray, 8 Church St. Until 03:00. Has dance music and two bars. 

• Hardy Street Sprig and Fern Tavern, 280 Hardy St. Is a pub in the old-fashioned sense. A place for serious beer drinkers, there are up to 16 types of beer on tap, from lager to stout. There are no televisions or pokies (gambling machines) and the music tends to come from the manager's mp3 player, making it a quiet place to go with friends. 

Sleep

Nelson offers an excellent range of quality accommodation including Backpackers, Bed and Breakfasts (B&B's), Holiday Homes, Hotels, Lodges, Resorts, Serviced Apartments and Motels.

Budget

1 Accents on the Park, 335 Trafalgar Sq, ☏ +64 3 548-4335. Check-in: 14:30, check-out: 10:00. Beautifully decorated, clean, safe and friendly hostel, with one of the best locations in the city of Nelson. Internet, lounge, kitchen, laundry, helpful staff and an adjoining bar that makes fantastic burgers. $27-33 per person, shared dorm.  2 YHA Nelson Central, 59 Rutherford St, ☏ +64 3 545-9988. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. In the heart of the city this 5 star hostel is ideally situated for exploring the city of Nelson and the surrounding area. The friendly and helpful staff can assist with anything from advising on local shops, cafes and restaurants to activities and tours. This Hostel has excellent kitchen facilities with all you could need, as well as large dining and relaxing areas. The garden is great for summer BBQ’s and relaxing in the afternoon. They offer a selection of accommodation from shared rooms to double en-suite's. Great for people travelling on a budget. Dorm Bed $34, Double en suite Room from $99 $34-99 per person. 

B & B's

3 AMBER HOUSE - at the centre!™, 46 Weka Street (When entering the city of Nelson from the SH6 roundabout, turn first right from Trafalgar St opposite Rugby Ground and then Wainui St becomes Weka St after 300 m), ☏ +64 3 539-0605, Mobile: +64 21 202 4961, fax: +44 7005 963 437 (fax server in Northern Ireland), wikivoyage@AmberHouse.info. Check-in: by arrangement, usually after 14:00, check-out: usually before 10:35. Open all year, clean Bed and Breakfast in a lovely 1897 Villa that used to be a School for Girls and little boys. Traditional Rose Garden with the oldest walnut tree in the South Island hidden away at the back of the plot. One of the few that still offers a full cooked breakfast. Full board and room service available. Now has satellite HD TV, Wi-Fi, double glazing and air-conditioning. Bedrooms have en-suite showers. Quiet fringe of CBD location. Smoking or Smokers not allowed(!) (party of 4 from $37 each) The Amber family first came to Nelson in 1842 but can understand some French, Fukien Chinese, German, Malay and Spanish. $79-249. 

• 4 Retiro Park Lodge, 152 Teal Valley, RD1 Nelson 7071 (Coming From Nelson City: Take SH6 direction Blenheim. When you arrive in Hira (13 km from Nelson), pass the school (on your right hand side) and then take the second turn off the main road (approx 1.5 km from the school) on the right side (Teal Valley). Retiro Park Lodge is 1.5 km from the main road.
  Coming From Blenheim Towards Nelson on SH6: At the bottom of the Whangamoa Saddle after you cross the Teal River Bridge, turn left sharply into Teal Valley. Retiro Park Lodge is 1.5 km up the road. If you miss the turn off and you arrive in Hira you’ve passed the junction. Turn back at the petrol station and take the second turn off the main road to the right into Teal Valley.), ☏ +64 3 545-0118, info@retiroparklodge.co.nz. Check-in: 14:30, check-out: 10:00. Exclusive B&B set in a park on a 70 acre property 17 km from Nelson CBD with its own vineyard, olive and almond groves and a swimming pool. Dinners, featuring the best of the local Nelson and New Zealand’s seasonal produce and wines, are made by arrangement. Smokers welcome. Hosts speak native French and Spanish. $235-345. 

• Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa, Postal address only: PO Box 351, Motueka 7143, New Zealand (Wilsons’ uniquely isolated beachfront lodges can only be accessed on foot by walking along the coastal), ☏ +64 3 528-2027, Freephone (New Zealand Only): 0800 223 582 (0800 ABEL TASMAN), Freephone (Australia Only): 1800-139 341, info@AbelTasman.co.nz. Check-in: 14:30, check-out: 10:00. Awaroa or Torrent Bay Lodge are both on the beach frontage in Abel Tasman National Park. Hosted by the Wilson family, direct descendants of the first European settlers to the area. All rooms twin/double with en suite bathroom; all bedding and towels provided; drying room; central heating and open fire for winter comforts. Meals are freshly prepared by your Hosts at the Lodge and there is a bar serving hand-picked local specialities. $935-2035 includes all transfers into the National Park.. 

Mid range

• Awaroa Lodge & Cafe, Postal address only: PO Box 422, Motueka 7143 (Awaroa Bay, Abel Tasman National Park), ☏ +64 3 528-8758, toll-free: 0508 488 066), fax: +64 3 528-6561, stay@awaroalodge.co.nz. a beautiful lodge inside the Abel Tasman National Park. It offers amazing food in a very beautiful place, accessible via the Abel Tasman NP track system, or by water taxi from Nelson or Takaka. (There is also now a cheaper summer time service direct from Nelson Port. The previous service went bust so might be a good idea to ring first.) 
• Blackwoods Retreat. A fantastic place to kick back in a private cottage in the countryside, relax and enjoy getting away from it all without getting too far away! Something for everyone and more, short and long-term bookings taken. 

• Harbourside Motor Lodge. In Nelson Port with marina views from most of the units. Continental or cooked breakfast available. Close to restaurants, cafes, galleries, shopping. 

• Haulashore Views. Port Hills Holiday Home, +64 4 899-0548. Stunning sea views from one of Nelson City's finest locations. A comfortable and modern home offering peace, space and true convenience with all the comforts of home. A short stroll from the waterfront's award winning restaurant-cafes and less than 5 minutes drive to the City centre or Tahunanui Beach. Both short and long term enquiries welcomed. Up to 8 guests. 

• 5 Maitai Camp & Cabins (7 km (4 mi) up the Maitai river valley), ☏ +64 3. Cabins, camp sites and a bunk house are available for accommodation. The camp is only accessible via a foot bridge and the whole site is surrounded by the Maitai river. An industrial kitchen and a huge hall with a small stage and a competition size billiard table is available for group gatherings. 

• Rutherford Hotel Nelson, ☏ +64 3 548 2299, reservations@rutherfordhotel.co.nz. Trafalgar Square. Four star plus hotel with suites available. Oceano Restaurant, Miyazu Japanese Restaurant and The Rutherford Cafe on-site. 

• Te Puna Wai Lodge. Has a gob-smacking island, sea, bay & mountain view & a solid reputation for providing a unique, high-quality experience. The house is an intricately detailed (on the outside, pleasantly simple inside), 3-floor, mid-Victorian wooden villa: the combination - of view & house - led to the property being included in National Business Review magazine's inaugural list of NZ's Top 100 Houses. Having only three rooms (including 1 apartment with kitchen) means you get a personalized experience from hosts - Richard and James - who are sensitive to their guest's desires for attention or solitude. All rooms have antique furnishings, en suite marble-tiled bathrooms and tea/coffee/fridge. Other guest areas include a comfortable lounge, boat-deck-like veranda & verdant terrace-garden. Beverages & full breakfasts are provided. Te Puna Wai's guests play an essential role in keeping this very special part of NZ's heritage alive & humming. Ph +6435487621, Txt +6421679795, E stay@tepunawai.co.nz 

• Trailways Hotel Nelson (enquiries@trailways.co.nz), 66 Trafalgar St (Down town on the river), ☏ 035487049. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 10AM. Central located down town on the River, a minutes walk from the visitor information centre. 47 air conditioned rooms, award winning restaurant and bar 

Connect

The iSite (tourist information) offers coin-in-the-slot Internet that is relatively expensive. Directly opposite, the local public library offers both free Wi-Fi and free Internet connected computers to locals and non-locals alike!

Go next

• Nelson is close (110 min drive, 50 min by fast boat) to the Abel Tasman National Park which offers sea kayaking [5] and the 51 km Abel Tasman Coast Track (one of NZ's Great Walks). Also see Tramping in New Zealand.

• Visit the district museums in Collingwood, Motueka, Takaka and Murchison.

• Go swimming in the river up the Maitai Valley or Lee River Valley! You can hitch hike up there if you don't have a car. Bring a sandwich and some water.

Routes through Nelson

Blenheim ← Havelock ←

N  S

→ Murchison → Punakaiki