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Experience the best of Nelson

Nelson is a sunny city on Tasman Bay at the top of New Zealand's South Island, close to Abel Tasman National Park, craft studios, orchards and vineyards.

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Nelson sits on Tasman Bay at the northern end of the South Island, backed by hills and facing a wide, sheltered bay, and has a reputation as one of New Zealand's sunniest places. Begun as a planned settlement of the early 1840s, it is a compact city with a hilltop cathedral, a long waterfront and a lively arts scene of potters, glassblowers and weavers.

Abel Tasman National Park, with golden beaches, granite coves and a coastal track, lies about an hour's drive north-west, and Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes national parks reach into the mountains. The Centre of New Zealand lookout on Botanical Hill gives a view over the city. The orchards and craft breweries around Motueka are close, the Marlborough Sounds lie to the east, and Golden Bay and Farewell Spit sit at the island's far tip.

Local produce is plentiful: Greenshell mussels, scallops, apples, berries and hops, with craft beer brewed from Tasman hops and wines such as sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. Long, dry summers fill the beaches, and winter days are mild, crisp and clear.

  • Free cancellation on 95% of experiences
  • 4.8 across the top 10

Top experiences in Nelson

Day trips from Nelson

9

Guided tours in Nelson

13

Walking and bike tours in Nelson

8

Food and drink experiences in Nelson

5

Outdoor and adventure activities in Nelson

19

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