Boatshed, Nelson Waterfront
Evening light at Nelson Marina
PLACES AND THINGS OF INTEREST TAHUNANUI BEACH Nelson’s main swimming spot. It is a beautiful long and golden beach ideal for family fun and picnicking and it is backed by a fun park, zoo and a large motor camp.
SHOPPING The central precinct provides a pleasant selection of shops, cafes and galleries centred around Trafalgar Street, the city’s main thoroughfare. This street ends at Christ’s Church Cathedral, the centrepiece of the city. Nearby, Chez Eelco is the well-known haunt for the artful types and the café clique.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS Nelson is renowned for its history and many of the old buildings are worth a visit - the Victorian Bishops School in Nile Street; Fairfield and Melrose Houses Cycling at Botanical Reserve
Seafood & wine
at the southern end of Trafalgar Street; Broadgreen, styled on a Devonshire farmhouse at nearby Stoke; and the working class cottages built in the 1860s on South Street. Founder’s Park contains an impressive collection of salvaged and restored colonial buildings and also provides studio space for local artists.
NELSON PROVINCIAL MUSEUM Sited at Stoke, just beyond the fringe of the city, this museum provides a comprehensive coverage of the region’s past, including an important Maori collection, a variety of significant documents and New Zealand’s largest collection of historic photographs.
PARKS AND WALKS Nelson is renowned for the variety and quality of its parks, gardens and a network of walking tracks with spectacular views over the city and its surrounds. For those who want an excellent early morning run, head along the waterfront and up into the Port Hills at Tahunanui - magic!
ACCOMMODATION AND DINING Nelson is a highly popular destination and this is reflected in the excellent airline connections from its very busy airport. As befits this Nelson Arts Festival Carnival
popularity, the city enjoys high quality restaurants, bars, cafes and accommodation - motels, B & B, and lodges. Our UNO. reporter stayed at one of the most historic and best - the Te Puna Wai Lodge built in 1857 and sited on the Port Hills with spectacular and panoramic views to the harbour entrance and Tasman Bay. This B & B lodge has undergone sensitive restoration and has a well deserved reputation as one of the top accommodation spots in the city, providing a warm welcome for families, children – and well-behaved pets. Nelson and the whole region around the city is famous for the quality of its wines and the wine trail is a popular and worthwhile tourist attraction.
NATIONAL PARKS After exploring and enjoying the charm of this historic city, its hillside suburbs and inviting waterfront, the highlight of any trip to this part of New Zealand must be a visit to one of the world-famous national parks. These are an experience in themselves - a commentary on the natural wonders, scenery and amazing beauty packed into areas
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Saturday Market
Matakitaki Hut, Nelson Lakes
Cathedral Steps
protected by restricted access on foot or by water.