Characteristics

Nelson, New Zealand, is located in the very North of the South island. It is surrounded by picturesque hills, and mountain ranges, that rise high over the bustling city and its Dock area, which is one of the busiest ports in the southern hemisphere. The city center is located on the flat valley floor of the surrounding hills, which form a catchment that feeds the Maitai river, which runs through the city center.

Nelson is a dock town, with many people owning boats or other water craft. It has a busy beach front, where some of the many attractions are hosted. Nelson is subject to huge tides, that wash over the huge sand flats just north of the city center. These sand flats are protected by a massive boulder bank, made naturally by tides and currents. The boulder bank is made of huge grey rocks, and is open for four wheel drive exploration.

Just west of the main city center is Rabbit island, an island now covered by pine-plantations, which are perfect protection from the wind, and lures many a thrill seeker to try some water sports on the crystal clear, glass flat water. Just west of rabbit island is Mapua, where various attractions draw tourists and regulars alike.

Nelsons beautiful city attracts thousands every year, the main street in Nelson, trafalgar street, is home to the Christ Church Cathedral, the centrepiece to Nelsons city center. Inside the city and along Trafalgar Street many of the eaves of the old Victorian style buildings have petunias hanging from them.

Attractions:

There is so much to see and do in Nelson!!!

NOTE: All $$$ stands for NZ dollars.

Inside the City Center

Inside the City center there are of course the usual attractions, Shops, restaurants and Movie theatres and
all other things of that type.
Its best for you to explore on your own, and find little jackpots on your own( there will be an eating out section)

The Christ's Church Cathedral is probably the main attraction in the city center, with its beautiful "Hollow" Grey steeple, and it's beautiful gardens, it shows true beauty in the city. The Cathedral is located at the end of Trafalgar Street

Near the Rutherford Hotel, in The Nelson City Center, and parallel to Trafalgar street, is a little lord of the rings fan hot spots. Jens Hansens Jewellery was made famous by the One Ring, a LOTR landmark!!!

Reaching out

Nelson Sprawls out so far, there is a great deal of things to do everywhere!

WOW: World of Wearable Arts, located near the airport, is a museum of wearable arts, started by a small kiwi farming community that brought it to nelson, and then to the whole country, located with the various pieces is a collection of antique cars...???!! The World of Wearable arts is located at this address:95 Quarantine Road, Nelson, Ph +64-3-547 4573.

WOW! Entrance costs: Adults (15 years and over) $15
Child (5-14 years) $7
Infant (under 4 years)FREE

Hoglund Glass: 100% skill needed? Probably. 100% awe inspiring? Most Definitely! Hoglund glass is the home of Glass blowing in New Zealand. Inside you can watch the glassblowing at work, explore the farm area and playground, eat or drink beautiful NZ food and coffee or view the previous workings in their gallery and shop. Hoglund glass is located at Lansdowne Road, Richmond, Nelson, New Zealand
Ph: +64 3 544 6500

Hoglund Glass entrance costs:N/A

Happy Valley Adventures: Experience the kiwi spirit first hand when you sign up to be launched off a mountain, shot at with paint balls, drive a 4x4 motorbike and just go crazy with madness fuelled mayhem.
Recently featured on an Aussie Travel show, this place is not for the faint-hearted! Happy Valley Adventures are located at 194 Cable Bay Road
Nelson, New Zealand 7001, Phone: +64 3 545 0304.

For prices of various activities see web site: http://www.happyvalleyadventures.co.nz

Founders Historic park: The History of Nelson, a Huge collection of Boats in bottles and a village snapshot of Nelsons founding days, this beautiful historic park is a must for all educated tourists! Located at: 87 Atawhai drive, Ph. ++64 3 548 2649.

Entrance into founder historic park is: Adult: $5.00, Child: $2.00 or a family pass: $13.

Japanese Gardens: Located, 3 minutes walk away from the Founders Historic Park is the Japanese gardens, which, well, explain themselves! Entry is Free.

Center of New Zealand: The Walk starts above the Founders historic park, on a Road cheerfully referred to as Whitehead Place. Entry is Free

Mapua Aquarium, opposite the boat sheds at Mapua, get up close and personal with the sea life! Entrance costs $3.50/ person for an hour and a half.

Natural Attractions:

Nelson is Beautiful, here are some even more amazingly beautify places to see!

The MaiTai River: It runs through the City, from the hills, but follow the river walking and you'll come across some swimming hotspots! the further up the river you go the less crowded it will become and less polluted too. NEVER SWIM WHERE THERE ARE INSTRUCTIONS TO DO OTHERWISE

Cable Beach: Further along the road from the Happy Valley adventure park is the most amazing beach in the Nelson region. There is no sand on this beach, only beautiful grey rocks wonderful for getting warm! a Wet suit is advised for those from warmer climates ( most of the world)

Rabbit Island: More of an adventure island because of it's attraction to water sports lovers

Abel Tasman National Park: This is where true beauty is defined, i'm not even going to try to describe it, words do no justice.

Golden bay: Tata Beach is a must see, lined with golden sand and calm, this beach is protected by Granite islands! Try and find the best colours in the small granite chips found along the beach.

Waterfront

Tahunanui beach is the main beach in Nelson, and is home to some awesome attractions:

Nelson Fun Park: Located right on the Beach front at Tahunanui, the Nelson fun Park is home to Bumper Boats, a Huge "Hydroslide" and fun golf. Location: Tahunanui beach, Ph. 03 548 6267

Entrance to Nelson fun park costs: N/A

Natureland zoo: Speaks for itself! Get up close and personal with animals from the far corners of the globe. Location: Tahunanui beach, Ph. Ph-03 548 6166

Entrance to Natureland Zoo costs: $5.00 for Adults, $2.00 for Children

Go -Karts: Just Next to the Nelson Fun Park is the Go-K art track, have a drive and good luck!

Also Near the Nelson fun Park is the indoor skating rink for all your skating needs and fun for all!

Eating in Nelson

Eating ( and Drinking ) in Nelson is a Must!!! here are some of the best you can get!

All the following have been eaten at by yours truly!

MacDonalds

A Must for Backpackers and fast travellers

Nelson
111 Rutherford Street
Nelson
Phone: (03) 548 2888
Fax: (03) 548 2830

Tahunanui Beach
32 Tahunanui Drive
Tahunanui
Nelson
Phone: (03) 546 4740
Fax: (03) 546 4760

Restaurants:

MaFish: Seafood and style with this recommended restaurant! 322 Wakefield Quay
Nelson
Ph. 0-3-539 1307

Haven Fish and Chips: Yes! These are The Fish and chips to get!
268 Wakefield Quay Port Nelson
Phone: 03 548 7969

The Milton Street Fish and chip cafe: Chips and Fish and the best burgers in town!
Address: 136 Milton St Nelson
Phone: 03 546 6730

The SmokeHouse cafe: This one is out at Mapua, behind rabbit island, but its a great one if you are on a day out at the vineyards and Hoglund Glass!
Mapua Wharf
Shed 2
Mapua
Phone: 03-5402280

The Boat shed Cafe: Hanging over the sea front, this choice restaurant offers all the best!
350 Wakefield Quay (03) 546 9783

Anchor Bar and Grill: In the Port, seaside seafood.
62 Vickerman Street 03) 546 6614

The Honest Lawyer: English Country style pub, with peacocks and chooks out the front looking out on the sprawling gardens and sea. 1 Point Road, Monaco, Nelson, New Zealand
Ph: +64 3 547 8850

The City Bottle shops, the city pubs and the Regional wineries

The Honest Lawyer country pub: The Pub attached to The restaurant. 1 Point Road, Monaco, Nelson, New Zealand
Ph: +64 3 547 8850

The Pheasant Plucker of the Bush: Don't switch the first two letter with the first two letters of the other what ever you do, bad, bad kiwis! Location: Unknown to me. Near The Milton Street Fish and Chip Cafe.

These places are renowned wineries and tasting centres

Glovers Vineyard

Moutere Hills Winery

Greenhough Vineyard

Himmelsfeld Moutere Estate

Rimu Grove Winery

Kaimira Estate

Waimea Estates

Sunset Valley Vineyard

Neudorf Vineyards

Richmond Plains

Stafford Lane Estate

Seifried Estate

Woollaston Estates

Anchorage Wines

Te Mania Estate

Kahurangi Estate

Blackenbrook Vineyard

Fossil Ridge

Kina Beach Vineyard

McCashins Wines

More? go to http://www.nelsonwines.co.nz/wineries.htm for details on where these guys are

There are many different services for getting around nelson

Self-explanatory, walking leaves from your door at all times of the day, cost is: Good Health.

Nelson has many Suburban routes on normal buses, as well as a SummerTime bus ( a double decker bus that runs through summer, touring the nelson area and surrounding municipalities. http://nelsoncoaches.co.nz/

Taxi/cab, whatever you want to call it, taxis can be called for on 0800 108-855( note: this number can only be called from within NZ

ferries run between Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park: Phone
+64 3 548-8066
Toll Free
0800 488 066 (only within NZ)
Address
Wakefield Quay, Nelson., New Zealand

You can hire out Bicycles at various locations in the city

Nelson

Whether it’s a meal out, a day touring, and adventure at Happy Valley or any of the other marvellous places, Nelson is truly a place you have to see!