Local Attractions
Gardens - Māra
Queens Gardens
Immerse yourself in around 125 years of botanical history in this ornamental garden, which commemorates the 50th Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s Coronation. Enjoy the park’s sculptures, which include The Cupid Fountain, the Water Wheel, the Boer War Memorial, and fine memorial gates at both main entrances.
The gardens are great for a picnic or a peaceful afternoon stroll.
Location: Hardy St, Nelson
Miyazu Gardens
The Miyazu Gardens celebrate Nelson’s relationship with its Japanese sister city. As soon as you walk through the gate, made from old timber recycled from the port, the street noise is replaced with an immediate feeling of serenity. Doing a circuit of the garden from the entrance you come first to the Dragon Pond, overhung by Jim’s Pine, a weathered and windswept 30-year-old bonsai.
Location: Atawhai Drive, Nelson
Isel Park
The Park features many gardens and includes 4 hectares of park. With a number of NZ’s oldest exotic tree species, and a collection of rhododendrons, a historic house has a café in the courtyard.
It is also a great place for events, picnics, or casual strolls.
Location: 16 Hilliard Street, Stoke, Nelson
Gardens of the World
Gardens of the World has many different gardens and areas to explore and learn about for both young and old. Sprawling over 6 acres, Gardens of the World brings together native and exotic plants from around the globe in the magnificent parkland. Open from dawn until dusk year-round.Location: Corner of Patons Road and Clover Road, Hope, Richmond
Museums & Art Galleries - Whare Taonga me nga Whare Toi
Classic Cars Museum
The Classic Cars Museum is an iconic ‘must see’ Nelson visitor attraction. A world-class collection of classic cars can be viewed here.
Location: 1 Cadillac Way, Annesbrook Phone: 03 547 4573
Nelson Provincial Museum
The exhibition and education part of the Museum, in central Nelson, is the gateway (waharoa) for our community to explore and reflect on their cultural heritage and the natural history of the region. There are two main gallery spaces featuring the Regional History Gallery and temporary exhibitions, a classroom, a museum shop, a rooftop garden, and an excellent café
attached right next door.
Location: Corner Trafalgar and Hardy Street, Nelson Phone: 03 548 9588
Founders Heritage Park
Explore displays of Nelson's life from the 1880s to 1930s at our only living Museum. Learn the stories of our local people, visit our businesses and artisans in character buildings, take a ride on the train, and relax at the award-winning Founders Brewery Café & Bar.
The Suter Art Gallery
The Suter has a collection of local, national, and international art. Highlights of the collection include examples of British modernism, with paintings by William Gear, Ivon Hitchens, and Bryan Wynter.
There is also a shop and café onsite to help you unwind at the end of your visit.
Location: 208 Bridge Street, NelsonPhone: 03 548 4699
Tours - Haereere
The Ferry
The ferry offers trips and tours out to the unique Bolder Bank, The Historical Lighthouse, and Haulashore Island as well as Harbour cruises. The tours are on demand and are a great way to fill in a spare afternoon or time before a late flight. The ferry is located at Wakefield Quay right by the Coast Guard.
Bay Tours Nelson
Bay Tours is an established and trusted small touring company that provides informative, friendly, and flexible tours around the Nelson/Tasman area and special personal excursions to other nearby regions. They provide visitors with a range of full-day and half-day tours. Specializing in wine tours, they also offer small personal scenic tours, art tours, brewery tours, and exclusive custom-designed tours.
McCashin’s Brewery
Experience the rich and vibrant history of the McCashin’s Brewery first-hand with a tour of the facilities. Smell the enticing aroma of Nelson’s finest hops and their own bespoke yeast, and watch the brewers in action as they relate the tale of New Zealand’s craft brewing revolution. A tour guide will take you through the history of the brewery, and the process of creating the fine Stoke and Rochdale products, and show you the features of the brewery. Bookings are essential.
You can also enjoy the on-site kitchen and bar.
Nelson Cycle Hire & Tours
Nelson Cycle Hire & Tours provides everything you will need for safe, enjoyable trail riding. Their cycles offer comfort no matter what the terrain. They offer cycle hire, tours arranged for groups or solos, and day excursions. With a profound knowledge of the region’s attractions, they are willing to share ideas and assist you in formulating the tour itinerary that best meets your needs.
Pic’s Peanut Butter Factory Tours
See how the world’s best peanut butter is made. Marvel at strange machinery, inhale freshly roasted nuts – you even get to taste samples and make your own peanut butter.
Check out all the Touring information available at reception.
Beaches - Takutai
Tahunanui
Nelson's famous beach is excellent for swimming and is also popular with walkers, joggers, windsurfers, and sun seekers. Paddleboards are also available to hire.
4km – 6 min drive – 15 min bike - 50 min walk
Rabbit Island
Rabbit Island is the largest of a group of sandy islands lying in the Waimea Estuary at the head of Tasman Bay, a 30-minute drive from Nelson City. Along the seaward side, there are more than eight kilometers of safe sandy beaches. This is the largest picnic area in the district.
You can also catch a ferry from here to Mapua Wharf, which has some lovely restaurants and Arts and Crafts shops to wander around.
27km – 30 min drive – 1hr 15min bike - 4hr 30 min walk
Kaiteriteri
This attractive beach town is 13 kilometers from Motueka and handy to the Abel Tasman National Park. Known for its beautiful golden sand and clear blue-green water, Kaiteriteri has a choice of places to eat and a range of local hikes including Withells Walk and Kaka Pah Point.
From Kaiteriteri you can catch a water taxi or tour into the Abel Tasman National Park and hire some kayaks.
61km – 60 min Drive – 3hrs 10 min bike - 12 hrs walk
Cable Bay
A little slice of paradise is only a 25-minute drive from Nelson and offers a perfect place for coffee and cake at the café (although not open all year around) and a gentle stroll along the beach. On offer nearby is the Cable Bay Walkway, sea kayaking, and Cable Bay Adventure Park.
21km – 20 min drive - 1hr 10 min bike – 4hr 15 min walk
Attractions - Whakamihi
The Centre of New Zealand
The centre of New Zealand is a 90-minute return walk from DeLorenzo’s; it’s located on Botanical Hill and is one of Nelson’s most popular walks. The starting point is the Botanical Reserve, which is where the first-ever rugby game in New Zealand was played! From the top, you can extend your walk down the eastern side toward Brandford Park to the ‘Black Hole’ swimming hole for a refreshing swim and return via the Maitai track.
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park it is a great place for relaxation and adventure. It is located at the top of the South Island. Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and world-famous coast track. With its mild climate, it is a good place to visit at any time of the year. You can walk through or explore by cruise boat, sailing catamaran, water taxi, or sea kayak.
Cable Bay Adventure Park
The Cable Bay Adventure Park is Nelson's adventure playground. Located just 15 minutes drive from the center of Nelson it is home to a wide range of adventure activities with something to cater for everyone set in a magnificent native forest with views over the stunning Delaware Bay.
Kahurangi National Park
Kahurangi is New Zealand’s second-largest national park and one of the newest. In places it is an untracked wilderness; elsewhere a wonderful network of tracks lets you explore wild rivers, high plateaux, alpine herb fields, and coastal forests. Tramping, rafting, and caving are popular activities in the park.
Nelson Lakes National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park offers tranquil beech forests, craggy mountains, clear streams, and lakes both big and small. The national park includes two large lakes, Rotoiti and Rotorua. The gateway to the park is St Arnaud, a picturesque village just 1.5 hours drive from Nelson. The Nelson Lakes are a popular area for picnics, camping, tramping, and fishing.
Tasman Great Taste Trail
Tasman’s Great Taste Trail starts at the Nelson Airport or the Millers Acre Centre 39 Halifax Street and offers panoramic coastal and mountain views over Tasman Bay, Waimea Estuary, and the Western Ranges, with many stops for fine food and relaxation.
Mapua Wharf
Is an amazing spot, only a 35 min drive from Nelson. You will find a collection of local arts and crafts, as well as cafes, restaurants, and a brewery. A fabulous place to spend a lazy afternoon
Markets - Maakete
Nelson Markets
This famous Nelson icon is the perfect place for locals and tourists to experience the creativity and essence of the Nelson region and its local people. Established over 30 years ago, it has evolved into a bustling, vibrant destination with up to 200 stalls. The emphasis is on regional goods, fresh, seasonal, and organic produce along with handcrafted items from some of Nelson’s most accomplished craftspeople and artisans.
Nelson Farmers Market
Farmer’s Market is the place to be every Wednesday. You can indulge in the diverse range of local, seasonal, and fresh produce. The market includes music, demonstrations, tastings, and entertainment.
Gifts & Souvenirs - Koha me nga Mahara
Jens Hansen
The home of ‘The One Ring’ was used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. You can now buy your own with any engraving of your choosing. Also available are wedding and engagement jewelry, plus many original pieces. All jewelry is handcrafted.
Location: 320 Trafalgar Square, Nelson Phone: 03 548 0640
Eyebright – The Country Store
Nelson's iconic Eyebright Country Store is nestled in a beautiful garden close to Richmond. Stockists of artificial trees, silk flowers, fashion jewelry, high-quality manuka honey, and other New Zealand-made products.
Location: 40 McShane Road, Richmond, Nelson Phone: 03 544 49977
