5: Amazing walks of Nelson Town

Check out some of the fantastic walks around Nelson Town. We feel positive you will enjoy the experiences of what Nelson has to offer. Its positioned in a well deserved 5th place in our poll but some would rate it higher!  Take a look at the link at the bottom of the page for some extra information and some additional interesting walks in our area.

   

Centre of New Zealand: 

An awesome walk up Botanical Hill which provides superb views all over Nelson. Well worth the climb. Guaranteed to get some fantastic pictures! A 20-60 minute run/walk dependent on your fitness level the main pathway it is suitable for some push chairs and buggies. At the top the is a ring of seats to enjoy the stunning views and overlook the Mai Tai Valley, Nelson City and Nelson Port and the Harbour.  You can also pick out Nelsons landmarks from the information panels. You can go back downhill on any one of the other tracks on the Botanical Hill, or you can head along the hillside to Walters Bluff. In the heat of the summer a good option is to take your togs and walk down the eastern side of the hill to Branford Park and take a refreshing swim at Black Hole and then take the Maitai Track back to your original starting point.

 

Miyazu Gardens:

The Miyazu Garden honours its Japanese sister city in Miyazu Kyoto with a beautiful traditional Japanese garden. Right from the start there is the main ligneous gate which was made from salvaged wood from Nelson Port. Traditional ponds and Bamboo fields welcome you in to the quiet serene gardens. Great to relax with the family or just a peaceful stroll to gather your thoughts. It’s nice to spend some time for reflection out of the hustle and bustle of the normal daily routine.The aim of Nelson City Council is to continue to develop and enhance the garden to make it a garden of peace and tranquility.

 

Queens Gardens:

Take a walk around the park positioned next to the Suter Art Gallery on Bridge Street, Nelson..The Queens Gardens is a beautiful example of a classical Victorian Park. You can be confident to enjoy the park’s many sculptures, which include The Cupid Fountain, the Water Wheel, the Boer War memorial, Sentinel and awesome memorial gates at both main entrances. They reflect both the growth and the development of the city. The park offers a variety and varied plant and tree collection and is also a super place for relaxation and enjoyment. The Queens Gardens are a registered historic place with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

 

Maitai Walkway:

A super walk along the Maitai River path to Collingwood Street which continues until you come to the Nile Street Bridge. Proceeding along the trail it becomes more river bush track and you will encounter 'Girlies Hole' which is one of Maitai Rivers many swimming holes, great for a quick dip in the summer to cool off or just to have a paddle in.

There are many Nelson walkways that we could mention that provide a very enjoyable day out. Our suggestion on taking a visit to Nelson is to make some time so you may take in the beautiful scenery, bird life and tree and plant species that Nelson has to offer. Guaranteed to help you loosen up, unwind and come away relaxed from a great Nelson Vacation!  

 

 

4: Adrenalin Pumped Adventure Days!

Do you have what it takes to experience some action filled adventures whilst staying in Nelson? Take a look at the below event companies and we are sure you will get the adrenaline injection you are looking for. Pretty sure there is something for everyone in the below categories!  

 

SkyWire Experience at Cable Bay Adventure Park:

This adventure begins with an amazing tour through native forests with fun informative information about the natural habitat and the environment from the experienced driver-guide in a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

  The Skywire is an awesome flying fox ride that begins 300m above the Cable Bay cafe and has amazing, panoramic views of Cable and Delaware Bays, D’urville Island and the Western Ranges.

Using 5-point harnesses you are strapped securely into the ride, 4 adventure seekers at a time can ride the Skywire. The 800m descent can reach speeds of up to 100 kph, you are then drawn back up the Skywire at a slow controlled speed so you can make the most of the awesome scenery.

The Skywire is closed during adverse weather conditions.

 

Skydive Abel Tasman:

They say “it’s the best day of your life!” Starting off with take-off from Motueka enjoying the most amazing views over the mountains, fantastic beaches and blue oceans of the Abel Tasman. Once the optimum height has been reached the doors open and you’re ready for fun! 

There is a choice of exhilarating Skydives with 9,000, 13,000, and 16,500 ft tandem jumps. The highest providing up to 70 seconds of freefall and then 3-5min of chute time.

Webcam and Photo packages are available.


Abel Tasman Canyoning:

There is a selection of Canyoning adventures offering guided trips through over 5 different canyons within either the Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park or Mount Richmond Forest Park.

Each separate adventure will have a different set of particular elements geared to jumping, abseiling and walking. Some of the trips require a higher standard of fitness. Time frames would be between 3-6 hours depending on the trip selected. 

Included in the pricing is all the required gear, Lunch, snacks and drinks. You only need swimwear, a towel and lightweight clothes for walking. 

Open from October 1st through till the end of April

 

 

 

3: Nelson Classic Cars Museum

 

Who doesn't love the last 100 years of steady progression in the automobile industry. Some say that the "old ones are the gooduns" though style and performance does come into the equation. Well worth a visit for a few hours on your Nelson visit.  

 

The Classic Car Museum showcases a collection of around 150 classic cars. To the car enthusiast, this will be a world of wonder. On show are mint-condition classic cars and motorbikes. A “100 years of motoring” has a way of producing memories from everyone’s past. The Car you have always wanted, the car you started with, what was dad's first car? From Old to New, from the 1900s to today. All motoring enthusiasts will love this place. Something for everyone to enjoy. The Nelson Classic Car Museum is the best place to see Classic cars in immaculate condition. From their little 1908 Renault AX, to awesome classics of the 1950s including Vauxhalls, Triumphs and Cadillac's, through to the exquisite mastery of Jaguar and Ferrari, the Museum is the place to marvel and admire an incredible collection of iconic cars. Go to relive your own memories of your granddad's car, your first car and your dream car!

Take a morning or afternoon out of your schedule to visit the galleries and finish up with a snack and a coffee at the Café and a few souvenirs from the shop!

Little Engine Eatery

The owners love healthy food and exceptional coffee and they are sure you will too!. Their freshly re-styled café has an irresistible range of wholesome, tasty, made-on-the-premises goodies for brunch, lunch, and general all-day snacks. And thanks to L’affare, they promise to take serious care of everyone’s coffee needs.

Museum Store

Take a leisurely moment to pursue the varied selection of modern funky ceramics, eye-catching jewelry, beautiful prints, fascinating books, mementos and collectibles, all made in New Zealand. This is your one-stop shop for those holiday gifts, as well as those all-important self-rewards!

2: Fun in the Sun on Nelson Beaches:

 

I love beaches and these are some of the best that you will have the opportunity to experience. Give them all a go and you will not be disappointed. Relax, kick back and take in some sun fun. Picnic,swim, sun bathe and play in these local areas and you will have had an awesome day out! 

 

Tahuanui Beach: 

The awesome Tahunanui Beach! Fun in the sun for everyone. An amazing sunset stroll or just a great day out relaxing on the beach with a picnic. There is a variety of playgrounds available for the kids and a very nice Beach Cafe. Tahunanui Beach is a great location for swimming. There are generally no large waves and the sand gradient of the beach is shallow. This is a very popular place, especially during the summer, with the beach well suited to family usage. The beach is patrolled by Nelson Surf Life Saving Club in the weekends of the summer months. There is a wide range of other activities in the ‘fun park’ immediately adjacent to the beach, and good facilities are provided. Around the Beach vicinity, there are several snack food and drink sellers. Within a 2 minute walk, there are some award-winning Restaurants and Bistros. This is a must-do in Nelson! 

 

 

Rabbit Island:  

 The long narrow island runs east-west for 8 kilometers and covers 15 km². It lies opposite the mouth of the Waimea River, 7 kilometers to the west of Richmond. Rabbit Island is such a great Recreational Reserve with some awesome Beaches, forests and BBQ areas for cooking your lunch or dinner. Take your Picnic and relax in the forest setting. Put down a blanket and rest away a few hours. Take a walk in the forest or Bike the trails, then take a refreshing swim in the surf to cool down or just get down to some plain old sunbathing. You will enjoy this special day out!  

 

 

Kaiteriteri Beach:

About a 1-hour drive from Nelson (60k) and the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park this is just an awesome place to spend a day or two. A fantastic beach with a tidal pool which is great for the kids to splash around, collect shells and build castles. During the summer months, you’ll find many locals and visitors here enjoying the sunshine, sipping a drink or having a meal at one of the beachfront eateries. A fantastic day trip from Nelson and highly recommended! 

1: The Abel Tasman National Park:

 

​The Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its world-famous coastal walking track, its golden sand beaches, unmodified estuaries, sculptured granite cliffs and mild climate.

It is a great place to visit at any time of year though during summer the park is particularly popular. The bays become busy with sea kayaks, sailing boats and other water crafts.

The track hugs the coast, offering spectacular views of the coves and beaches as you reach the top of a ridge, then it’s back down to the next sheltered swimming and picnic spot. 

Noticeable features are the golden sand beaches,the fascinating rocky outcrops (mainly granite but with a scattering of limestone and marble), the estuaries and the offshore islands. The vegetation cover varies and reflects a history of fires and land clearance, but the forests are regenerating well, especially in damp gullies where a rich variety of plants can be found.

 

Abel Tasman Boat Trips:  

Departing from Kaiteriteri starts from 9am. Here you can boat in to the beach of your choice and take a coastal track for a walk, this can be from 1 45 mins (5k) up to 4 hrs (11k) long depending on the route chosen, and then the boat collects you from your final destination . This is a trip of a lifetime, the photographs you will come away with will be memories of an awesome trip and an adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park.

 

Kayak:

There are plenty of Kayak companies working out of Kaiteriteri and Marahau with a variety for options from the family paddle to the experienced guided Kayak trip. Half day and full day tours, even some 2 day overnight trips to include a camp out. Fun for all ages and abilities. 

 

Walks and tramping:

Should you just wish to go for a walk or a tramp (or you do not like boats!) the start of the Abel Tasman National Park is at Marahau. You can start the walk from the beginning, walking up to Apple Tree Bay and back, or hike out to Anchorage and get the boat back.

You can walk the entire park which can take up to 2-3 days. There are camping sites available or DOC huts which needs to be booked well in advance, especially over the summer season. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/fees-and-bookings

Camping supplies are available in Nelson at the following places:

 

Torpedo 7 

Hunting and Fishing

Gear Shop

MD Outdoors

 

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