A lot of people consider Nelson, New Zealand to be the gateway to the northern parts of the South Island. To get to the remote Golden Bay, Farewell Spit, and Wharariki Beach, you must pass through the fertile lands of Nelson and Motueka. And a lot of people do go up there; it’s beautiful. However, Nelson alone is a great place to spend a day or two. There are some great wineries, craft breweries, and orchards in the plains surrounding town. This part of New Zealand is incredible fertile, and produces tons of hops, apples, and grapes. The hops are among some of New Zealand’s exports too.
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is the oldest settled city on the South Island, and the second oldest settled city in the country. It is named for Admiral Horatio Nelson, who won the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The city of Nelson is an early planned city (my twenty-two year old urban planning self loves this about Nelson!). The London-based New Zealand Company planned to buy land from the Maori and sell it (at considerable profit) to settlers. Despite a lack of interest, the plan went ahead and three ships left London for New Zealand in 1841. The government would not help the Company find the land to purchase, but gave them permission to scout around. Finally, the Company decided on Nelson because it had the best harbour. They purchased additional, fertile, land as well as the land around the harbour.
After a brief prosperous period, the town fell into depression and many settlers left. It wasn’t until the 1850s, when Queen Victoria designated it a city and Bishop’s See, that things began to turn around.
Today, Nelson, New Zealand, and the surrounding Golden Bay area, is a thriving town with diverse geography, great food, wine, and beer, and local artisan galleries. It also attracts plenty of outdoor enthusiasts, including cavers. The largest and deepest unexplored caverns are within striking distance of Nelson City.
What to do in Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand is a vibrant city with a lot of exciting things to do. It also holds the title of sunniest city in New Zealand, with an annual 2,400 hours of sunshine. This makes great weather for kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, hiking the Heaphy Track, wine tasting, or learning about craft breweries straight from the brewers themselves.
The downtown core is chock full of galleries, restaurants, and shops. On weekends, farmers and craft markets are great places to meet many of the local restauranteurs, artists, and craftspeople.
Nelson, New Zealand is home to the World of Wearable Art Museum. This intriguing museum is dedicated to classic cars and a collection of former winning designs from the Wearable Art show held in Wellington each year.
Nelson is also the geographical centre of New Zealand.* In the 1870s, John Spence Browning carried out the first trigonometrical surveys from the hilltop in the centre of Nelson. It was later established that – including Stewart Island but not the Chatham Islands – the geographical centre is about 35km southwest of Nelson in the middle of dense scrub.
Activities in and around Nelson include caving, sky diving, kayaking, and hiking. The rugged terrain is great for both day hikes or multi-day treks. New Zealand has an exceptional hiking network, so you’re never far from a hut or campsite. In peak season, though, you will need to book in advance! (Yes, that’s me! I could see halfway up the North Island and halfway down the South during my incredible skydive!)
Where to stay
Like across most of New Zealand, Nelson has a wide range of accommodation, from freedom camping spots for backpackers to luxury retreats in secluded scenic spots. In town, there are quite a few bed and breakfasts and small boutique hotels. Closer to Kaiteriteri and Abel Tasman National Park, you’ll find more of the luxury retreats like Split Apple Retreat.
North of Abel Tasman and Takaka Hill, in Takaka and Collingwood, you’ll find more boutique bed and breakfasts and campsites!
Nelson’s surrounding areas
One of my most favourite spots in New Zealand is north of Abel Tasman National Park, beyond Takaka Hill, and well past Collingwood and the turnoff to the Heaphy Track. It’s Wharariki Beach (featured image). You’ve likely seen photos; it’s the rock with the arch. If you’ve got a car, don’t miss this place. The walk to the pristine beach meanders through sheep fields and then sand dunes for about fifteen minutes.
Takaka itself is a tiny little town with stunning art galleries and access to the northern end of Abel Tasman National Park. It’s the heart of the Arts Trail in Golden Bay, which includes artisans and craftspeople as far away as Puponga, Bainheim, and Pakawau.
Beyond Takaka, you can drive to the inland end of the Heaphy Track (in Kahurangi National Park), head for Collingwood (a cute Victorian town), and explore Farewell Spit. Cape Farewell, the farthest north point on the South Island, is also here.
South of Nelson, past the Waimea Plains, you’ll find St. Arnaud and Nelson Lakes National Park. This remote, gob smackingly beautiful park is home to some of the world’s clearest lakes. They are also sacred to the Maori. Between St. Arnaud and Nelson are the Waimea Plains, where you’ll find a lot of orchards, honey farms, and wineries.
**
|| Auckland || Rotorua || Napier || Wellington || Christchurch || Queenstown || Dunedin ||
