Nelson Activities

Family fun can be had in many places around Nelson. There are lovely beaches where it’s safe for young children to swim, parks and playgrounds that are well-equipped, and cycling paths everywhere. There’s also Tahuna beach with its zoo and fun park that’s sure to be a hit with the kids.

Explore the Landscape
A family drive to Golden bay will take you by the Ngarua caves, the best spot to check out moa bones from prehistoric times. Continuing on you’ll come to the world’s clearest fresh water springs, just outside of Takaka. Te Waikoropupu Springs features well-maintained walkways with lots of educational information about the area’s ecology.

Founders Heritage Park
Founders Heritage Park is a living museum of early European life in Nelson, and a spot where the sights and sounds of that period are featured in exhibits and shows. Although the park is geared to all ages, children in particular are fascinated by this dynamic insight into the way life used to be. They’ll also have fun at the adventure playground, while food for all is on offer at the café. Phone: +64 3 548 2649.

Natureland Zoo
Nelson’s small but interesting zoo is located quite close to Tahunanui beach. The range of animals here and the way in which they’re presented make the zoo especially popular with younger children, as they can see the animals up close. Some of the many species represented at the zoo include llamas and alpacas, monkeys, meerkats, otters and peacocks. Website: www.natureland.co.nz/.

Picnics and Barbecues
New Zealand family get-togethers are typically centred on a picnic or barbecue. A great venue for a family outing is Tahunanui beach, just minutes from the centre of Nelson. Swimming is safe here and there’s a fun park that features boats and water slides. Rabbit Island is another local favourite. On offer here are sandy beaches and barbecue facilities.

Singing in the Rain
There’s plenty for kids to enjoy on a rainy day in Nelson. You’ll find indoor climbing walls that are ideal for children, craft workshops where kids can create and paint ceramic pieces and bead galleries where they can make their own jewellery. For movie fans, there are numerous theatres located throughout Motueka, Nelson and Takaka. Meanwhile, those who enjoy swimming can head for the indoor aquatic centre located in Richmond which features facilities for toddlers.

Touch the Sea Aquarium
Nelson’s aquarium closely replicates the natural marine environment that’s home to an amazing variety of coastal and sea life. The unique design and specially-dimmed lighting creatively simulate the atmosphere of a sea cave. A visit to this special attraction will leave a lasting impression as well as a new-found appreciation of marine life. An interesting and well-stocked gift store is featured onsite and offers up sea-themed items for all ages. Phone: +64 3 540 3557.

Cultural activities available in the Nelson area are varied and plentiful. Some of the many choices on offer include museums and galleries that specialise in contemporary as well as pioneer culture, interactive workshops devoted to traditional art and handicrafts, and guided drives through the area that focus on the culture and traditions of the Maori.

Broadgreen House
If you’d like to get an idea of how Nelson’s earliest immigrants from Europe lived when they settled here, there are two area attractions that capture this period in time. Broadgreen House in Stoke and Founders Heritage Park in Nelson feature original buildings from the early days of European settlement and displays of historic memorabilia. Phone: +64 3 546 0283.

Contemporary Culture
Contemporary culture in Nelson city is celebrated in a variety of ways. Visit the city’s Saturday morning market or attend the Wednesday night yacht races during the summer. Other popular cultural events include the March Antique and Classic Boat Show on Lake Rotoiti and the Blessing of the Fleet held at the waterfront every July. Families gather for the latter occasions to enjoy local seafood and watch the activity of the many boats in the harbour.

Creative Tourism New Zealand
Based in Nelson, the operation called Creative Tourism New Zealand offers several informal workshops on art, handicrafts and Maori cultural traditions. By joining one of these experiential workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to explore your creativity, guided by experts. There’s a lot more to this experience than looking at art hanging on gallery walls. Website: www.creativetourism.co.nz/.

Nelson Provincial Museum
Nelson’s newest museum is located in the city centre, and showcases the early settlements of the Maori people and European immigrants. A highlight of the museum is its extensive photographic collection documenting life in the region for over a century. There are also regularly-changing exhibitions featured here as well as permanent exhibits on contemporary culture. Phone: +64 3 548 9588; website: www.museumnp.org.nz/.

Treasured Pathway
Treasured Pathway is a route that takes visitors through Nelson on a tour of the cultural and natural history of the city and this part of New Zealand’s South Island. Guides in the form of route maps and brochures are available from i-SITE visitor centres. Website: www.treasuredpathway.co.nz.

Whakatu Marae
The Whakatu Marae is the place to go if you’d like to enrich your knowledge of local Maori history and culture. At the marae you can learn about the techniques of traditional Maori art and handicrafts, te haka (Maori dance of war), and edible plants and medicinal herbs by taking a guided bush walk. If you’d like to try your hand at paddling, there’s also the opportunity to explore the waters of Tasman bay in a carved waka. Phone: +64 3 546 9097; website: www.whakatumarae.co.nz/.

Dining out in Nelson means sampling dishes that combine the best of indigenous flavours with fruits and vegetables fresh from the farm and seafood that’s straight from the water. The simple yet elegant foods are often accompanied by high-quality wines that are produced locally.

You can enjoy your meal at a variety of venues, with some set amid the splendour of the unspoilt natural environment, and other in cutting-edge, chic urban eateries. You can dine among grape vines or the yachts that line the waterfront where fresh chowders, garlic mussels and fish and chips are the specialties of the day – it’s your choice.

Shoppers will find that Nelson is home to several significant fashion designers, all with showrooms in the area. There’s also a good selection of fashion boutiques in the city that specialise in the labels of designers from other parts of the country. In a selection of other fine shops you’ll be able to choose from an array of New Zealand gifts and souvenirs, organic cosmetics, sports and camping gear, and other items of interest.

The Nelson Market operates year-round, on Saturday mornings, from the car park at Montgomery square. Here you’ll find stalls that are literally overflowing with locally-grown produce, such as vegetables and flowers, as well as locally-farmed salmon and locally-produced handicrafts such as jewellery, paintings on silk and woven items. Numerous food stalls draw locals for leisurely breakfasts. The market starts early and vendors usually pack up by 14:00.

The Nelson region is filled with opportunities for enjoying outdoor activities. There are golden sand beaches, sparkling rivers, snow-capped mountains and national parks offering plenty of adventure. You can cycle on trails that follow along the coast, play golf at remarkably beautiful courses and even learn to skydive while you’re here.

Cycling
You can enjoy cycling along the waterfront and a bracing and fresh sea breeze along the way. There is a scenic cycle path follows Whakatu drive as far as Richmond. Another option is to head off-road in search of adventure. Local bike shops will set you up with equipment and provide maps of trails that are suitable for your ability and interests. Alternatively, a copy of Bike Tasman is available at i-SITE visitor centres and also from the Tasman District Council.

Golf
Several exceptional golf courses are featured in the Nelson area, all of which welcome visitors. Many of the clubs feature professional shops with equipment for hire, and some sponsor social competitions. In addition to the quality of the course, spectacular views are highlights of the Tasman Golf Club, which is situated on the bluffs overlooking Ruby bay. Website: www.tasmangolfclub.co.nz/.

Sailing
You can sail from the marina in Nelson to one of the bays of the Abel Tasman National Park, year-round. The weather is most always mild and the scenery spectacular, whether at sunrise or sunset. A popular alternative is to hire a boat with a captain who’ll take you through the many bays along the coastline of the national park.

Skiing
The Rainbow Ski Area, located near the lovely alpine town of St Arnaud, features slopes suitable for all skiers from beginners to experts. The ski resort is part of the Nelson Lakes National Park. You’ll find great spots for a picnic lunch here and for panoramic area views over Lake Rotoiti. Website: www.skirainbow.co.nz/.

Skywiring and Skydiving
If you feel like taking the plunge and giving skydiving a try, New Zealand is the place to go. For an adrenaline rush and some white-knuckle adventure, you can jump on a skywire over the scenic bush outside Nelson city, or choose a breath-taking skydive from a plane over magnificent Tasman bay.

White-water Kayaking
World-class white-water rafting is waiting for you on the Buller river, not far from the town of Murchison. This river course has a reputation internationally for its white-water conditions. When you take on the river by kayak, the experience is bound to be a thrilling one. Beginners and those with more experience will enjoy this course, and guides are available for beginners.