Family Days Out in Nelson With Prices
Families in Nelson can pick between animals, a wildlife sanctuary, a shallow beach, go-karts and a few museums. Children’s tickets are priced separately almost everywhere. All figures are NZD. If your plans include hiking or a drive to Golden Bay, check DOC alerts and NZTA Journeys first.
Costs side by side
| Place | Adult | Child | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natureland | 21 | 11 (ages 2 to 14) | 56 for 2 adults and 2 children |
| Brook Waimarama Sanctuary | 25 | 10 (ages 5 to 15) | 50 |
| Pic’s Peanut Butter tour | 25 | Free (18 and under) | None |
| Nelson Classic Car Museum | 20 | 8 (ages 5 to 15) | 30 or 50 |
| Founders Heritage Park | About 12.10 | About 5.20 (ages 5 to 16) | About 30 |
Wildlife
Natureland, Hounsell Circle in Tahunanui Beach Reserve, is open from 9:30 to 16:30 every day. Children under 2 get in free. The collection includes tuatara, kea, geckos and meerkats, and there is goat feeding.
Brook Waimarama Sanctuary is at 651 Brook Street and opens Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 16:00, with the last entry at 15:00 (hours move with the seasons). A fence 14.3 km long keeps pests out of its 690 hectares. Nelson Tasman residents get lower prices. Species named on the sanctuary’s site are kiwi, tuatara, kakariki karaka, South Island robin and rifleman, and you can book a guided night tour.
Beach and fun
At Tahunanui Beach the water is shallow and there is a playground. Even so, treat the water with care. The Waimea Estuary empties quickly near low tide, and the Blind Channel is a rip. Swim between the black buoys. Nelson Surf Life Saving Club has patrolled summer weekends, so ask at the beach about current hours.
Pro Karts (Hounsell Circle, Tahunanui) has a 300 m outdoor circuit for drivers aged 12 and over, with a 10-minute race at about 29. Nelson Fun Park offers a hydroslide and mini-golf.
Food and heritage stops
- Pic’s Peanut Butter World, 49 Saxton Road, Stoke: weekday tours only, with booking. Anyone with a peanut allergy should skip it.
- Founders Heritage Park, 87 Atawhai Drive: village buildings and a windmill, open 10:00 to 16:30 daily except Good Friday and Christmas Day. There is no train ride at present, since the train is out of service for maintenance. Locals enter free.
- Nelson Classic Car Museum, 1 Cadillac Way: open from 10:00 to 16:00 each day.
Tips for parents
- Natureland sits in the beach reserve, so pair the two for an easy day.
- School holiday dates fill the sanctuary and the Pic’s tours, so book early.
- Supervise young children at the Pupu Springs boardwalk, where parts of the viewing platforms have no fence and the water is cold and swift.
Read more: Sightseeing in Nelson
See family options on Viator . Operator pages: Natureland , Brook Waimarama Sanctuary and Founders Heritage Park .