When taking a vacation it is always difficult keeping the kids busy and filling those days with entertaining and adventurous things to do for them! Of course, there are the multiple awesome beaches that are here for family enjoyment but here’s a list of some other of the activities that Nelson has to offer. Most of them being only a couple of minutes away from The Arcadia Motel!
Natureland Zoo:
Natureland is Nelson's zoo and wildlife conservation center is where you can get up close and personal to some unique New Zealand animals. Hang with the monkeys and get hands-on with a range of interesting domestic and non-domestic animals. They are proud to be a community-focused charitable trust. Kids love feeding time, so go spend an hour or two among the awesome animals down at Natureland Zoo.
Natureland Wildlife Trust is a community-based conservation organization. They are proud to be a safe, affordable, and accessible place for families to engage with animals have fun and bring the wild into Nelson. Their space is a platform for not only for their work but also to share with you stories about the work that other people and groups are also doing to save wildlife.
No single organization can accomplish wildlife conservation all on its own. Natureland works with other members of the Zoo and Aquarium Association, Nelson City Council. The Department of Conservation and our conservation partners to achieve great outcomes.
Did you know that accredited zoos are the third-largest contributors to global conservation projects? Natureland is proud to have the highest proportional impact for the conservation of any accredited zoo in New Zealand. They are also growing into one of the most important sites for nature play in children's' increasingly urban lifestyles.
Pro-Karts, Combat Laser Tag & Pro Bounce:
Pro Karts at Tahunanui Beach offers one of the most exciting & fun activities in Nelson.
Pro-Karts have 3 different karting options. The Pro Karts are for everyone 12 years and over, Fun Karts for anyone, adults and children 7 years and over, and also now the new Two Seater Go Karts for kids 3-8 years of age and an adult. Our new Two Seater Go Karts race at the same time as our Fun Karts.
There are some new options for our Arrive and Drives on our Pro Karts and Fun Karts.
Race for 10 or 15 minutes. If it doesn't quite go your way, you have another chance to beat your mates in a second race. Opt for ten plus ten minutes, ten plus fifteen minutes, or fifteen plus fifteen minutes. Can't get much better than that.
GRAND PRIX (Event 1)
EACH DRIVER WILL COMPLETE:
- 5 minutes warm-up
- Two qualifying heats of 12 laps
TOP 8 DRIVERS WILL COMPLETE:
Grand Prix race of 18 laps.
The race winner is the overall Grand Prix winner.
Maximum 32 drivers
For larger groups, you may wish to add semi-finals to your event. Booking time required, maximum 1 1/4 hours (Based on 6-16 people)
Pro Combat:
Have a go at playing Laser Tag, Nelson's newest most exciting & fun activities!! Play a series of missions, each game a different mission, each purposely designed to ensure an adrenaline-packed simulated combat experience!
Using State of the art MP5 weapons that fire harmless infrared beams, playing is safe, painless and with no extra ammunition required, its great value for money! Suitable for Ages 6+.Pro Bounc
Pro Bounce:
Pro Bounce and More is a trampoline world with something for everyone, Bounce Zone, Walking walls, Challenge walls, Airbag, Basketball hoops (Slam dunk), Dodge ball count, All new Wipe Out and a separate kids area. Relax and enjoy a coffee in our beautiful outdoor setting while your children bounce and flip on our huge trampoline park to their heart's content.
Nelson Fun Park:
Family fun in Nelson at Nelson Fun Park in Tahunanui! Bring a picnic to enjoy the poolside at one of our picnic tables by the bumper boats and hydro-slide! Open late spring, all through summer and into the autumn for loads of sunshine entertainment. Something for every member of the family! Just 2 minutes from the Arcadia!
Hydro-Slide: A thrilling water slide that the kids will just want to go again and again. Blacked out to make it more exciting the rider will experience twists and turns to an eventual splashdown in the pools below!
Bumper Boats: Enjoy a ride on the bumper boats. Race around the pool and splash Mum & Dad!
Mini Golf: Challenge the family to a mini-golf competition! Putt your way around an 18 hole course for bragging rights at the end of the day! Anyone can win!
Nelson Cycle Trail:
Bring your own or get rental bicycles (Arcadia Tour desk can assist!) and have an amazing day out traveling the Nelson Cycle trail!
Tasman’s Great Taste Trail starts at the Nelson Airport and offers panoramic coastal and mountain views over Tasman Bay, Waimea Estuary, and the Western Ranges, with many stops for fine food and relaxation.
After leaving Richmond, riders pass over boardwalks along the edge of the Waimea Estuary, home to a range of internationally significant bird species, including the white heron and royal spoonbill.
From here the trail crosses to Rabbit Island, where riders can take a boat trip to the Mapua wharf and enjoy cottage-industry shops, cafés, and restaurants.
From Mapua the route leads via Tasman and Harley Roads to Motueka, which hosts award-winning wineries; then on to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.
The Motueka Valley section of the trail from Riwaka goes to Woodstock on country roads along the Motueka River’s west bank. The picturesque landscape is one of the rivers and rolling hills with a gorgeous backdrop of forest and mountains.
From Woodstock, a Grade 3 route heads over Dovedale Hill to Wakefield on an unsealed undulating country road that climbs up to 300m. This route is temporary and will be replaced with a flatter route via Tapawera and Kohatu Junction in the future.
From Wakefield, the trail returns to Nelson on purpose-built cycle paths and lanes and takes riders through vineyards and cafés, The full loop is 175km. From Wakefield, a 26km return side trip can be taken to historic Spooners Tunnel.
Richmond Aquatic Center:
Some great options here in Richmond for families and single swimmers alike. For the serious swimmers, there is a 25 meter, 8 lane pool for swimming lengths and for keeping up your fitness level.
For the kids, there is a WAVE POOL. The machine sends waves down the pool so the kids have an experience similar to going to the beach. The wave machine has multiple wave patterns that can make it very entertaining for all involved.
There are a couple of large SPA POOLS that offer an awesome place to relax. Also available is the HYDROTHERAPY POOL with temperatures between 33 and 35 degrees, great for those aching muscles!
The LAZY RIVER offers fun for all ages. Shaped in a figure of eight with a current running around it, you can either“go with the flow” or walk against it for an additional fitness work out.
TINY TOTs POOL is great fun for the little ones. The upper pool is just 300 mm deep and the lower pool from 400-600 mm they have bubbles, water jets, and a water feature.