Nelson City Guide
Nelson may be New Zealand's oldest city, but it's also a vibrant and colourful destination. You'll find world-class wineries, stunning national parks, thriving crafts and beautiful beaches on the city's doorstep. With the country's highest number of sunshine hours, it's no surprise that
Nelson residents enjoy a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle, and the fresh local produce and award-winning wines make it a delightful stop for gourmet travellers.
Nelson's thriving arts scene also makes it a wonderful place to soak up some culture. Take one of the local art trails and discover some of the 300-plus painters, potters, woodworkers and weavers who live and work in the colourful
Nelson region. Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu, Nelson's regional art gallery, is one of the country's finest, and if you are visiting in October, check out the The
Nelson Arts Festival, a celebration of the city's art scene packed with theatre, music, dance and literary events.
Get Your Bearings
Trafalgar Street is the main road in central city. You’ll find
information centres, theatres, a post office and restaurants either on
or just off this street. The main landmark in town is Christ Church Cathedral at the end of
Trafalgar Street.
Things to Do
- Wineries
Most of the local wineries are en route from Nelson to Motueka, including Ruby Bay, Denton, Seifrieds, Moutere and Neudorf. Nelson and Motueka visitor centres can provide maps and details.
- Abel Tasman Wilson's Experience
Plenty of options for single or multi-day trips with Vista Cruise and Vigour Water Taxi services, walking, sea kayaking and the only beachfront lodges within the boundaries of the Park. Be as adventurous or relaxed as you want.
- The World of WearableArt & Collectable Cars Museum
Two galleries, a retail shop, café and painting gallery. The World of WearableArt (WOW) gallery showcases garments from the historic World of WearableArt garment collection. The Collectable Car gallery features an array of beautifully restored classic cars, including vehicles from the late 19th century through to present day.
- The Suter Te Arotaoi o Whakatu
Adjoining the Queens Gardens on Bridge Street is one of New Zealand's oldest and most respected art galleries. It houses a collection bequeathed by Bishop Andrew Burn Suter, Nelson’s second bishop (1866-91) as well as a craft shop and café.
- Founders Historic Park
Original and replica colonial buildings, vintage vehicles, a windmill and playground, with a café/organic brewery, leadlighter and bakery on site. Next door are the Miyazu Japanese Gardens.
- Simply New Zealand
Go shopping for unique New Zealand products at Simply New Zealand - the Great New Zealand Shop. Shop for New Zealand gifts, jewellery, handicrafts and souvenirs and clothing. They will ship your shopping to all parts of the world.
- Isel House
This stately stone mansion stands in the grounds of Isel Park at nearby Stoke, and was built during the 1880s for Nelson's largest landowner, Thomas Marsden. The original Isel Cottage (c. 1848) stands to the rear of the main building. The home is open to the public and the beautiful gardens are well worth seeing.
- Nelson Market
Hundreds of stalls every Saturday morning, including fruit and vegetables, gourmet food, arts and crafts, plants, clothing and jewellery.
- Nelson Provincial Museum
Located on the corner of Hardy and Trafalgar Streets in Nelson, the museum has displays, archives and photos documenting Maori history and the early days of European settlement, and an agricultural museum.
- Nelson Botanic Gardens
The gardens feature a lookout at the top of Botanical Hill, calculated to be New Zealand's geographical centre.
- Taste Nelson Festival
A celebration of the region’s food and drink.
- Rabbit Island
Some 20km west of Nelson, this beautiful 13km stretch of beach is backed by forest. The bridge to the island closes after 9pm.
- Mount Richmond Forest Park
In the steep hills to the east of town lies the Dun Mountain Walkway and a wilderness area.
Galleries, Arts & Crafts
Nelson is renowned for its talented artisans and their work can be seen in the city's key shopping areas at Trafalgar, Halifax, Bridge, Hardy and Rutherford Streets.
Public Galleries
- Suter Art Gallery
Four galleries featuring a changing programme of artworks, with a restaurant, craft shop and cinema theatre.
Private Galleries
Individual galleries and outlets provide a range of New Zealand made products from ceramics and bone carvings to glasswork. They include:
- Hoglund Art Glass
Demonstrations of glassblowing, and stocks of glassware, silver jewellery, bone carving and silk.
- Bead Gallery
Australasia's most exotic bead gallery.
- Eyebright
Aromatherapy, candles, dried flowers, jewellery, pottery and silk flowers. There is a café and winery on site.
- The Nelson Market
Hundreds of stalls every Saturday morning including fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, and gourmet food.
- Craft Habitat
Eight independent, working craft studios and galleries established in 1964, with a cafe on site.
- Monty's Sunday Market
A range of arts and crafts on display at Montgomery Square from 9am-1pm.
- Pots 'n' Prints
Selected works from local artisans.
- Glasscraft NZ Ltd
Imaginative glasswork including clocks, photo frames, lamps, platters and glasses.
- Gael Montgomerie Fine Woodturning
Crafted timbers producing vessels and party platters.
Business Services
Business Overview
Nelson services an agricultural and forestry hinterland through its
freight and fishing port. An enviable climate and easily accessible
natural areas attract both visitors and lifestyle residents alike.
Meeting Options
Trafalgar Centre for exhibitions and other large events. Rutherford Hotel
Nelson has a selection of conference rooms, and there are smaller hotel and lodge based facilities.
Nelson Visitor Information Centre
Cnr Trafalgar and Halifax Streets
