Nelson Tasman

Nelson Tasman

Inspirational Landscapes

Nelson’s inspirational landscapes and vibrant creative environment offer visitors the opportunity to meet and mix with local artists and craftspeople, visit their studios, and participate in art tours and workshops.

Kilometres of golden sand beaches and vast protected national park areas set the scene for year-round nature, wildlife and outdoor experiences including sea kayaking, rock climbing, white-water rafting, mountain biking, sailing, horse trekking and swimming with marine life.

The sea surrounding Nelson is the source of some of New Zealand’s finest seafood, and the sunny coastal climate produces grapes for wine, fresh fruit and produce.

Heritage

Māori knew the Nelson area as Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Maui or ‘the tip of the nose of the canoe of Maui’. According to legend, the demi-god Maui used his fish hook to catch and land the North Island - Te Ika a Maui or ‘the fish of Maui’ - from his waka (canoe).

Māori first settled the Nelson area about 700 - 800 years ago. They built villages along the coast and close to river valleys, making the most of fertile soil, abundant seafood, and a favourable climate.

Nelson’s central location was an ideal stopover for pre-European traders. North Island Māori passed through on their way to the West Coast to trade for greenstone, while Pacific and Māori traders came in search of agillite for making tools.

Dutch explorer, Abel Janszoon Tasman’s 1642 voyage of discovery is the earliest known contact between Māori and Europeans. A memorial in Golden Bay marks the tragic meeting which resulted in the death of four sailors and Tasman’s departure from the region now named after him.

Food and Wine

Nelson is one of New Zealand’s leading wine regions, producing chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling, pinot gris, gewürztraminer and an intensely-flavoured sauvignon blanc.

Many of Nelson’s 26 family-owned wineries offer cellar door experiences. Visitors can also take leisurely vineyard tasting tours for a snapshot of different wine varieties and their production.

As Australasia’s largest fishing port, Nelson exports fresh seafood - scallops, clams, salmon. Other local specialities include beer and fruit.

The Nelson region has many quality cafés and restaurants serving local foods. On old Mapua wharf, The Smokehouse serves an award-winning menu including naturally-prepared smoked seafood that visitors can sample while overlooking the Waimea estuary on Tasman Bay.

Nature / Wildlife

Nelson’s three national parks, two marine reserves and extensive coastline are havens for some of New Zealand’s beautiful and protected nature and wildlife.

In Tonga Island marine reserve - part of Abel Tasman national park - visitors can visit a New Zealand fur seal colony and go swimming with the seals in their natural environment.

Farewell Spit - the world’s longest natural sandbar - stretches 35km off the tip of the South Island and continues to grow. This area of exceptional beauty is home to over 90 species of birds, including migratory godwits and gannets. A long established wildlife sanctuary, Farewell Spit has New Zealand’s highest conservation protection.

Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project - at Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park - is a major restoration programme to return native birdlife to a 5000ha beech forest. Bush walks weave through the trees, and information panels tell stories of the project, and local flora and fauna.

Adventure / Outdoors

Sea kayaking in Abel Tasman national park is one of the region’s iconic outdoor activities. Established in 1942, the Abel Tasman is renowned for golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs and clear water. Kayakers can hire kayaks, and take single or multi-day guided tours to visit otherwise inaccessible sheltered coves.

The coastal Abel Tasman track is a 'Great Walk' of New Zealand. The 52km walk takes three to five days to complete, and huts and campsites are available along the way.

Heaphy Track, in Kahurangi national park, takes about four to six days and is the longest ‘Great Walk’. Kahurangi is home to an exceptional variety of native plants and wildlife, including great spotted kiwi.

Art and Culture

Nelson - birthplace of the unique World of WearableArt show - claims New Zealand’s highest per capita artist community with 350-plus resident artists.

Founded by Nelson artist Suzie Moncrieff, the World of WearableArt is a major theatrical event that’s now held annually in Wellington. The World of WearableArt museum is based in Nelson and offers visitors a year-round spectacle.

Nelson offers a variety of creative workshops reflecting New Zealand’s diverse culture. Ranging from two hours to four days, hands-on artistic experiences include bone carving, blending olive oil, collecting and cooking seafood, or taking a Māori journey through the region.

DID YOU KNOW

• New Zealand’s first rugby game was played in Nelson on 14 May, 1870.
• Nelson has the southern hemisphere’s largest camping ground. Tahuna Beach Holiday Park has over 2000 camp sites and motel units.
• Nelson, settled in 1841, is New Zealand’s second oldest city.
• Nelson city receives 2,500 sunshine hours per year.