Things to do in Nelson

The wide range of activities on offer in the Nelson Region make it the perfect place to spend your holidays. For that adrenaline high, rich cultural experience or breathtaking scenery - Nelson has it all. Nelson Tourism Services provides you with first-hand information on operators, activities and tours and helps you with the booking. We love Nelson and our team has an excellent knowledge of the Nelson Region and the things to do and see here.

The location, scenery and beautiful weather of the Nelson region make it an outdoor lovers paradise with many activities to suit.

Take a closer look at this diverse landscape with its bush filled valleys, lush farmlands, mountain passes, flowing rivers, isolated beaches, and awesome views along any one of the large number of walking tracks on offer, including the geographical Centre of New Zealand look-out and the Abel Tasman National Park. Tracks range anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 days. Fun and informative guided walking trips are also available. Otherwise why not hop on a mountain bike or join a horse trek to discover this regions natural beauty.

Another great way to experience this area is from the water. Try seal swimming or a fishing trip. Enjoy the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park or explore the Tasman Sea while paddling in a kayak, on a boat or just swimming at one of the many beaches in the area.

For a combination of adventure, speed and beautiful scenery a 4x4-motorbike ride is just the thing. But if you’re looking for a more adrenaline filled experience fly the skywire, take a sky dive or have a go at paragliding, go on a jet boating trip or alternatively, the Buller River offers first class conditions for the ultimate white water river rafting experience.

Art & Culture

The uniqueness of our region has attracted more than 350 talented artists. Among them are world famous glassblowers, potters, painters and wood turners. If you want to have a look behind the curtains join an art & craft tour, or check out the many art galleries in and around the city. For those who feel like participating actively a bone carving workshop shows how to make your own necklace. Nelson is also home of the internationally acclaimed Montana WOW World of WearableArt Awards, which are celebrated each September. For information on travel packages click here on www.nzdirect.co.nz/wow.

Maybe you just want to experience the beauty and history of New Zealand’s second oldest city. Join a Nelson city and district tour or visit one of our beautiful public gardens.

The Nelson region a paradise for wine and food lovers. Try one of our fantastic waterfront dinning locations. Discover the areas beauty as you explore the many vineyards, passing by hop farms, apple orchards and olive groves. Take the hassle out of your travel and join an informative and entertaining wine tour. Apart from tasting a great selection of white, red and dessert wines you can indulge in delicious food at one of the vineyard cafes or check out a gourmet chocolate factory.

Scenic & Eco Tours

Thinking about the Nelson region is dreaming of golden beaches, lush Native forests, running rivers and sunny blue sky. There are a number of different scenic and ecological tours on offer.

One of the most popular and spectacular holiday destinations in the region is the Abel Tasman National Park with its golden beaches, bush-clad islands suspended in clear blue waters and amazing green coastal forests.
If you decide to head on a bit further the awesome Golden Bay will amaze you. To get there you wind your way over the Takaka Hill catching magnificent views of Tasman Bay. Once there several places invite you to stop like the world clearest fresh water springs, the Waikoropupu Springs or the spectacular limestone Ngarua Caves, amazing lookout points, beautiful golden beaches, incredible green hills, fields and forests.

Farewell Spit is a unique geographical feature extending 35km into the sea from Golden Bay. Made up of open mud flats and giant sand dunes and home to over 90 species of birds, the spit is an ecological reserve and can only be visited by authorized eco tours. Some of these tours also include Cape Farewell.
A totally different landscape awaits you in the Nelson Lakes National Park, which is situated south west of Nelson. Two spectacular glacial lakes surrounded by majestic mountains, beech forest, lush valleys and swift flowing streams.
For a really different point of view take a helicopter or small plane scenic flight from Nelson to see the breathtaking beauty of this region from above. A guided walking tour is another way to get a different perspective on this amazing landscape.

Nelson Tourism Services
Phone: +64 3 546 6338
Fax: +64 3 545 9227
Email: nelson@nzdirect.co.nz