Nelson

on the south island in nelson new zealand
Nelson is the South Island’s oldest city, and one of the sunniest places in the country. It has excellent cafes, restaurants and pubs. The area is surrounded by great mountains that have good hiking. There are great beaches around the area and is the gateway for Abel Tasman national park. Nelson is an “outdoorsy” city. It often gets looked over as people just use it as a base into Abel Tasman but deserves two or three days as there are a lot of activities to do and the locals are very outgoing and friendly.

New Zealand Travel Resources

Buying a Travel Backpack
Finding Cheap Accommodation
How to Find a Cheap Flight
Budgeting for New Zealand
New Zealand Backpacker Buses
My Favorite New Zealand Hostels
Waitomo’s Glow Worm Caves
Great Reasons to Visit New Zealand

Costs in Nelson

  • Hostel Prices: Hostel dorms in New Zealand cost between $20 – 27 NZD per night while private rooms begin at $60 NZD.
  • Budget Hotel Prices: Budget hotels begin around $70 NZD per night.
  • Average Cost of Food:A typical restaurant meal with cost you about $15 NZD or more NZD. If you choose to cook your food, plan to spend about $50-80 NZD per week. You can find sandwiches around for $6 NZD and fast food like McDonald’s or Burger King costs between $7-10 NZD.
  • Cost of Internet: $3-4 NZD. There are a lot of internet cafes in the town. McDonalds has Global Gossip (not free!).
  • Transportation Costs: The main city terminal is located in Wakatu Square between Ajax Avenue and Bridge Street. Click here for rates.

Things to Do in Nelson

  • Abel Tasman National Park – The beautiful beaches and azure blue water feel like they belong in the tropics not New Zealand. The hiking is beautiful with giant ferns, trees and a great climate. There are a lot of one to three day hikes here. But if you really want to see this park, kayak around. This lets you explore the tiny little coves and beaches that make the area so special.
  • The Suter Art Gallery – New Zealand’s third largest art museum has an impressive collection with works by many Kiwi artists. There are quite a few good paintings here.
  • Hiking – The mountains around Nelson provide many opportunities for great hiking. The trails are well marked and go from the city. You’ll get a great view of the surrounding bay and town from them.
  • Nelson Market – Operating all year round in the Montgomery Square carpark on Saturdays, stalls overflow with local products – fresh organic vegetables, fruit and flowers, locally farmed organic salmon and many kinds of crafts including silk painting, jewelery, pottery, weaving and wood turning. There are also food stalls and many Nelsonians meet for a late leisurely breakfast at one of the many coffee stalls.
  • Miyazu Japanese Garden – Inspired by Nelson’s sister city Miyazu in Japan, this is a traditional Japanese garden and perfect for a quiet and contemplating stroll. During the spring, cherry blossoms bloom.
  • Wine tours – There’s over 23 wineries around Nelson. After all the hiking, trekking, and kayaking, go do a nice relaxing tour of the wineries. They make great whites in this area of New Zealand.
  • Founders Heritage Park – Located near the city center, this park is host to a historical village replica—complete with museums, a brewery, a bakery, a chocolate shop, and a ton more. There is plenty to tour through, lots of tasty, organic beer to try, and some pretty good food to eat.
  • Nelson Provincial Museum – This is the crowning museum for Nelson. An unusually modern spot, this space is home to an array of cultural heritage exhibits and natural history displays. There is usually a rotating main exhibit, featuring major works from across the world.
  • Shark’s Club – This is a great little pub where locals tend to hang out. The food is pretty cheap, there are several pool tables, and games are free during happy hour.
  • WOW The World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars – This is a unique museum, showcasing work from a local, annual fashion show that draws thousands of people. There is an array of unique designs and creations from tons of designers.
  • Mapua Leisure Park – Just outside of Nelson, this is a clothing-optional outdoor park, open from February-March. There are some great swimming spots (in addition to a pool), sporting areas, a café, and a sauna/spa set up.

Budget Tips for Nelson

  • Hike for Free: The park has great hiking trails set out which may be the best attraction in and around Nelson. Those are always free. Not a budget tip, but a good one none the less – take good insect repellent, or the sand flies will eat you alive!