Transport

Nelson is the geographical center of New Zealand - its diverse scenery, beautiful weather and great people make it a “must see” for overseas visitors and New Zealanders alike. Nelson is situated at the top of the South Island and is easy to get to by land, sea or air.

Let us help you with all your travel needs to and from Nelson as well as in the Nelson region itself, to ensure your visit is enjoyable and hassle free.

Getting to and from Nelson

Air Travel

Nelson operates New Zealand’s fourth busiest airport. Regular services run daily to and from New Zealand’s main centers as well as connecting services to most other cities.

Ferry

The Interislander and Link Ferry’s sail daily from Wellington through the picturesque Marlborough sound region to Piction. From Picton it’s a 2-hour drive to Nelson by car or bus.

Road

Nelson has good road access to the cities on both the east and west coasts of the south Island, as well as to the Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay Regions.

Average driving times
Nelson to Picton 2:00
Nelson to Blenheim 1:45
Nelson to Kaikoura 3:30
Nelson to Christchurch 6:15
Nelson to Marahau 1:20
Nelson to Collingwood 3:00
Nelson to Westport 3:45
Nelson to Greymouth 4:30

Bus

A number of bus companies operate regular services to and from Nelson, Picton, the Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay, the Nelson Lakes National Park and the rest of the South Island. These also include some smaller shuttle bus companies.

Transport In and around Nelson

By car

Hiring your own vehicle allows you the flexibility to explore the Nelson area at your own pace. There are a number of scenic roads that offer spectacular views and lookout points. All major as well several smaller rental companies have offices in Nelson and hire rental cars, camper vans, motor cycles and even convertible cars We can book you an economy class car from as little as NZ$30 a day.

By bus

Daily bus connections are available to and from the bigger towns as well as within the Nelson region, Golden Bay, the Abel Tasman National Park and the Nelson Lakes National Park. There are also a number of tour companies that offer fantastic scenic day trips in and around Nelson city as well as from Nelson to Golden Bay, the Abel Tasman National Park, the Nelson Lakes National Park and the rest of the south Island.

By air

If you’re a bit short of time or you’d like to check out this stunning area from a different view let us organize an airplane or helicopter flight with one of our local aviation companies. Apart from a range of scenic flights they also offer regular services - for example to Awaroa in the heart of the Abel Tasman National Park, to Karamea, which is the start of the Heaphy Track, or to Kaikoura to see the whales.

By boat

Exploring the Nelson region by boat allows you perfect views of some of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastline. There are a number of different sailing trips in and around Nelson including the Marlborough Sounds area. There are also regular boat and water taxi services from the start of the Abel Tasman National Park into any one of its picturesque bays as well as fishing and leisure cruises from Nelson city right up to the Marlborough Sounds.

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