Nelson, New Zealand City Guide

For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Nelson, New Zealand Travel Guide has been your connection to Nelson's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.

Nelson Shopping
Nelson Restaurants
Nelson Connection
Bed and Breakfasts in Nelson, New Zealand


Nelson Art and Culture

Nelson Art Guide This website provides information on art galleries, festivals and more.

Nelson attractions

World Of WearableArt & Collectable Cars Museum This is a fabulous museum experience. Be inspired in the theatrical WOW Gallery view garments from New Zealand’s unique Wearable Art Awards Show, art is taken off the wall to adorn the body in wildly wonderful ways. There are over 50 cars and motorbikes on display in the Classic Car Gallery, featuring the best of automotive design from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Bead Gallery Est. 1990, we are NZ\'s largest retailer, wholesaler & distributor. Our collection will blow you away with over 10,000 varieties for you to play with, ranging from ethnic and tribal adornment, to antique rare trading beads. NZ Jade & Paua are featured.
Abel Tasman Waka Tours Offering Maori guided Waka Tours in the Abel Tasman National Park Nelson. This unique Waka experience provides an opportunity to paddle a Waka (Maori carved canoe) with qualified guides. Taking a journey of how Maori traveled around Aotearoa (New Zealand) and the Pacific Ocean while singing traditional Maori chants and learning about Maori culture. Beautiful beaches, caves and wildlife are just part of the experience. With time to swim, lay back and relax in paradise
Founders Historic Park Founders Heritage Park includes a playground and 3-D maze, many buildings of the late 1800s, nautical and historic displays, vintage transport, railway station and trains, and operating businesses including a cafe/organic brewery complex and jade/silver jeweler. Train rides daily December 26 to January 10th. Open 10 am - 4.30 pm everyday except Good Friday and Christmas Day.
The Lord of the Rings – Nelson The artisans of Nelson crafted The One Ring, brewed the beer that was served at The Prancing Pony at Breeand created many of the props of Middle-earth.

Nelson Attractions

Nelson Cathedral A Royal Decree from Queen Victoria in 1858 not only established a Bishop's See, allowing the construction of Nelson's cathedral, the Church on the Hill, but also changed the small town of Nelson into a city.

Nelson city guide

Nelson New Zealand Your Guide to EVERYTHING Nelson!
Nelson New Zealand A comprehensive online listing of everything Nelson has to offer on line. All links are categorized at the bottom of the page.

Nelson climate

Nelson Climate A seasonal timetable with associated temperature ranges, and finally a link to current weather conditions.

Nelson destinations

Nelson Destinations A valuable destination resource for Nelson – Richmond, Mapua – Moutere – Motueka, Abel Tasman, Golden Bay, and Nelson Lakes National Park areas.

Nelson Events

Nelson Arts Festival The festival is the only regional festival to be held annually and is produced by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors. It features concerts, theatre, dance and musical events.
Nelson Jazz Festival The festival centres around a number of free outdoor concerts plus a busy performance program featuring international, national and local bands and artists.

Nelson food

Mahana Olives Nelson Extra Virgin Olive Oil The superb taste of this oil offers a complex balance of fruitiness, bitterness and pepper, delighting even the most discerning connoisseur
Moutere Grove Moutere Grove is a certified organic, single estate, producer of fine quality extra virgin olive oil. Winner of an International Olive Oil Award, May 2001 & May 2004.
Golden Salami Golden Salami - healthy, natural salamis from Golden Bay, New Zealand
Organic Products, Natural Health Care Online shop for the health conscious that offers mainly organic & natural foods
Pomeroys Coffee + Tea Co Nelson\'s Boutique coffee Roastery that supplies Black, Green and Herbal Teas. A varied Deli Selection.
Premier Meats Great taste, sharper prices & excellent value are always on the menu at Premier Meats.

Nelson maps

Regional maps of Nelson and driving times Use the Nelson region maps below to find your way around the region. Driving around this compact region is safe and easy.

Nelson Museums

The Nelson Provincial Museum Town Acre 445 is the gateway (waharoa) for our community to explore and reflect on their cultural heritage and the natural history of the region. At our central city location, on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets, Nelson, there are two main gallery spaces featuring permanent and temporary exhibitions, a classroom, museum shop and rooftop garden.

Nelson National Parks

Abel Tasman National Park Named for Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who first visited the region in 1642, this national park is New Zealand's smallest - but it's perfectly formed for relaxation and adventure.
Nelson Lakes National Park A compact area of mountain ranges separated by forested valleys, the Nelson Lakes National Park promises all levels of challenge for keen hikers and mountaineers.
Kahurangi National Park In the Maori language, Kahurangi means 'treasured possession' - a clue to the attractions of this large, wild park. Within its boundaries are some of the oldest rocks, strangest plants and rarest birds in New Zealand.

Nelson restaurants

The Naked Bun Patisserie and Café The Naked Bun is a Patisserie / Café with a difference. Offered are European style pastries, breads and cakes, and innovative and delicious café meal options. Treat yourself to a divine sweet treat, a gourmet pie or just drop in for a wickedly good espresso.
Collingwood Tavern and Bistro Situated in the heart of Collingwood, Golden Bay, their huge menu includes local seafood, roasts, steaks, desserts, coffee. Watch the sun set on our sunset balcony or take pleasure with local ale in our canopy beer garden.
The Boat Shed Cafe We invite you to join us at the historic Boat Shed Cafe, a true Nelson Icon. Enjoy Nelson\'s best atmosphere, fantastic views and award winning cuisine. Any visit to Nelson would is not complete without dining at The Boat Shed.

Nelson shopping

Höglund Art Glass Truly an experience to remember! Visitors can take a fascinating guided tour and watch the skilful work of the glass artists in the glassblowing and flame work studios. Learn about the history of glass from displays in the museum.
Richmond Mall, Centre of it All! Over 70 specialty stores, Farmers, Pak \'n Save, Fresh Choice. Open 7 days from 9.00am.
The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu This is the region\'s public art museum. Through the care and display of a valuable collection that has grown over the last 100 years. The Suter provides access to Nelson and New Zealand\'s rich visual arts heritage and communicates the ideas and experiences that art offers through its exhibitions, events and education services provided for the widest possible audience.

Nelson Travel / Tourism

Bay Tours Nelson Bay Tours has provided visitors with a range of full day and half day tours since 1996. Specializing in wine tours, they also offer small personal scenic tours and art tours, and exclusive custom-designed tours.

Find Bed and Breakfasts in Nelson, New Zealand
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Featured B&B
Motueka River Lodge
Motueka, New Zealand
At the crossroads of indulgent luxury and unspoiled wilderness lies the Motueka River Lodge. This understated Boutique Luxury Country Lodge is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking countryside in New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park

Featured B&B
Wharetutu Boutique B&B
Nelson, New Zealand
Wharetutu is a luxury B&B in Tasman, Nelson, beautifully set on two acres of landscaped gardens offering uninterrupted views of mountains, estuary, vineyards, orchards and countryside.