Nelson is the gateway to two of New Zealand’s Great Walks, a backcountry alpine loop and a long-distance cycle trail. Each needs planning around tides, bookings and mountain weather. Costs are in NZD. Read DOC alerts for your dates, since storms and slips have closed sections in the past. Abel Tasman Coast Track About 60 km from Marahau to Wainui, usually walked in 3 to 5 days. Huts at Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi, plus campsites, must be reserved ahead throughout the year.

Nelson’s sights split into two groups: a compact set in the middle of town, and a handful of coastal and Golden Bay stops that need a car. Costs are NZD. For anything beyond the city, check DOC alerts and NZTA Journeys, since weather and slips can close tracks and roads. Town centre Christ Church Cathedral Address: 1 Trafalgar Square, on Church Hill. Open daily 8:30 to 19:00. It is an Anglican cathedral and visitors are welcome, with donations appreciated.

Couples tend to enjoy Nelson for slow days: a cellar door lunch, a harbourside dinner, a wharf drink at Mapua and a boat day on the Abel Tasman coast. Hours and menus change through the year, so book tables and phone cellar doors before you head out. Costs are in NZD. A romantic day, in order Morning: cellar doors in Upper Moutere. Neudorf Vineyards sits at 138 Neudorf Road (phone 03 543 2643) and generally opens around 11:00 to 17:00 in season, with tastings from about 35.

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.

Five outings work well as a single day from Nelson, and a few famous places do not. Distances are one thing and time on the road is another: Takaka Hill is slow, and the Abel Tasman coast runs on tide tables. Costs are NZD. Before you set off, open DOC track alerts and NZTA Journeys, because slips and flood repairs change road and track access. Quick comparison Trip Distance or time Best for Abel Tasman via Kaiteriteri About 60 km Boats and beaches Golden Bay About 106 km to Takaka, 2 hours Springs and surf beach Nelson Lakes St Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti Mountain walks Mapua Wharf and Rabbit Island Half day Food, ferry, cycling Blenheim wine region 1.

Paid attractions around Nelson fall into four groups: a car museum, tours of the far northern sand spit, boat trips on the Abel Tasman coast, and winery visits. Prices are NZD. Some come from operator pages and some from resellers, so use them to compare and confirm before booking. Booking Farewell Spit departures follow the tide, and the boat operators work to a summer timetable, so book those ahead with the operator.

Nelson (Whakatu) is the main town on Tasman Bay, at the northern tip of the South Island. Visitors come for weekend markets, a peanut butter factory tour, skydiving over Abel Tasman, canyoning, a flying fox and some of New Zealand’s best craft beer. All prices are NZD. One safety note applies to almost everything on this page: weather, tides, floods and slips close roads and tracks at short notice. Look at DOC track alerts and NZTA Journeys the week you travel, and again before you drive Takaka Hill.