Nelson – Abel Tasman
Nelson – Abel Tasman
The region of Nelson and Abel Tasman is host to a multitude of activities for all – hiking, sailing, skydiving, kayaking/ canoeing. Located at the top of the South Island, Abel Tasman is the most northern town on the West Coast.
The Tasman region is also the ‘sunniest place in New Zealand’ – with the most days of sunshine than anywhere else – making it an area of popular migration There are plenty of reasons to enjoy the beautiful environment while you get acquainted with the creative local culture. The area is chilled, artsy and a favourite among food connoisseurs and wine lovers.
Sunny, golden beaches, coastal walks, Nelson City – also the geographical centre of New Zealand – and of course Abel Tasman National Park.
Local Information
Nelson’s artsy culture include local carvers, glassblowers, painters, potters and weavers – whose work can be seen by following any of the 13 craft trails that also take in Nelson’s most attractive rural settlements. Or, visit the Wednesday Farmers Market to sample some of the local delights.
Nelson is a hub for events all year round, making it a desirable place to visit, live and work. Events such as; Light Nelson, Feast for the Senses, Arts Festival, Buskers Festival, Cider Festival and March-Fest are just some of the extraordinary events featuring on the regions event calendar.
Another Lord of The Rings visit location is Jens Hanson Jewellers; makers of The One Ring from the movie franchise.
Only the West Coast has as many national parks as Nelson. Abel Tasman, New Zealand’s smallest, is a coastal wonderland of sea, sky, rocky headlands and bright golden beaches. Within the sheltering confines of Tasman Bay, Nelson’s beaches are safe, with silvery sand. Tahunanui Beach, within the city boundaries has the largest and best-equipped holiday park in the country.
The Nelson Lakes National Park is set amidst the mountains and glaciated valleys of south Nelson, and features beech forests and the beautiful jewel-like lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa (not to be confused with Rotorua).
Kahurangi, the country’s second-largest national park comprises 450,000 hectares of mostly upland wilderness, with magnificent three to four-day hiking trails.
A range of adventure experiences is available including sea kayaking, whitewater rafting on the Buller River, tandem skydiving, four-wheel drive motorbiking through native forest and hiking on some of the country’s best-known tracks. There’s also a 35-kilometre, four-wheel drive trip along Farewell Spit and caving under Marble Mountain.
During winter season, the region offers skiing or snowboarding the Rainbow ski area.
Top Activities – Book Here
Golden Bay – Wharariki Beach – Farewell Spit $179 Adult / $89 Child
Rock & Roll Kayaking – Kiwi Journeys Half Day & Full Day Tours From $199 pp
Buller Canyon Jet Ride $125 Adult / $75 Child / Group Bookings Available
Rabbit Island & Beyond Half Day Cycle Tour From $70 pp
What else is there to do in Nelson – Abel Tasman?
- Suter Art Gallery, Nelson
- Nelson’s fresh seafood
- The many wine trails
- Art, crafts and garden trails
- Hiking, Heaphy Track
- Ngarua Caves, Takaka Hill
- Waikoropupu Springs, Takaka
- Farewell Spit Safari, Golden Bay
- Nelson Lakes
- National Park Coastal Tracks, Abel Tasman National Park
- Sea kayaking, Abel Tasman National Park
- Rabbit Island
- Nelson City – this regional city is renowned for its arts and crafts and fine food.
- Motueka – town nearest Abel Tasman and Kahurangi national parks
Takaka – the main centre for the Golden Bay area - Mapua – a chilled beach township, full of cafes, restaurants and chilled walks.