4 minute read
Sunshine Region - Nelson Tasman & Golden Bay
ARTS & CRAFTS
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• THE ARMARIE ROOM This award-winning creative studio, in Nelson’s Founders Heritage Park, is one of the last remaining fine press studios in New Zealand. See cast iron presses in action, sign up for a printmaking workshop and buy original art works here. It’s a very special experience.
• JOINTWORKS STUDIO Visit this beautifully-restored cottage on the outskirts of Nelson for handbuilt furniture and handwoven textiles. As well as the opportunity to buy original pieces for your home, you can watch the two resident makers – one in his workshop, the other on her loom.
• FLAMEDAISY GLASS DESIGN A boutique hot glass studio and gallery near the cathedral steps where you can watch handblown works being created.
• JENS HANSEN THE RINGMAKER Visit the place where the legendary ring was created in Nelson city for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies.
• HÖGLUND’S ART GLASS Browse the glassblowing studio gallery of artists Ola and Marie Simberg-Höglund whose works combine their Swedish heritage with a Pacific influence.
• ALCHEMY ARTS CENTRE In Richmond is the home of MacMillan’s pottery, which doesn’t just display the beautiful creations made here but enables visitors to decorate works or even learn to use the potter’s wheel.
• UPPER MOUTERE CERAMIC ARTIST KATIE GOLD has a gallery near the village centre and on Neudorf Road notable sculptor Michael MacMillan’s range now also extends to creative homewares.
Zappekin Artists © www.nelsontasman.nz
TOP SPOT
KAHURANGI NATIONAL PARK is the secondbiggest national park in New Zealand. There are numerous huts for keen trampers; the flagship footpath that stretches across it from Golden Bay over to the wild West Coast is the Heaphy Track. The large and flightless takahē birds may be seen around the halfway mark, reintroduced to the area in 2018, one hundred years after they were first declared extinct.
Walking in Nelson city hills © Oliver Weber/Nelsontasman.nz
TOP WALKS
Mt Richmond Forest Park has a number of challenging expert or advanced routes that can vary from one to four days. There is good access to the Wakamarina Track from Canvastown.
Pelorus Bridge reserve and campsite is a great starting point for many walking tracks. The reserve pathways are wide and wheel-chair accessible. Half-hour loops extend to four-hour return walks through podocarp forest.
The Maungatapu Track follows the original route from Blenheim to Nelson. It’s a popular mountain bike ride but walkable with some careful planning, beginning in the Rai Valley area.
Mt Barrett in Rai Valley Take the trail behind the war memorial for a 40-minute return hike to the 262m summit.
Nelson city’s Trevor Horne Heritage Trail starts at the iconic Christ Church Cathedral, passing many heritage buildings. Maps can be downloaded from Nelson Council’s website.
Lake Sylvester, Kahurangi National Park © Nelsontasman.nz
SHOPPING
Junction cheese shop © Oliver Weber/Nelsontasman.nz
NELSON’S CBD Palm on Bridge Street showcases many New Zealand’s fashion designers; also check out Trouble and Fox off Trafalgar Street, and KILT on Hardy Street.
RICHMOND MALL The largest of its kind in the top of the South. The town’s main artery, Queen Street is also a thriving shopping area.
MĀPUA WHARF The chic boutique and gift shops around the wharf are great for a visit; art and craft galleries dotted around the town are well worth a browse as well.
WHITWELLS MOTUEKA’S outfitting store is well loved for its great range of classics as well as chic modern styles, not to mention its massively impressive selection of shoes.
Little Shaggery Farm roadside stall © Oliver Weber/Nelsontasman.nz
REFRESH
• BLUE KAFF on Havelock’s main street is well-known for its awesome coffee.
• PELORUS BRIDGE CAFÉ serves up cream teas, venison pies and home baking in a peaceful setting near the river.
• CABLE BAY ADVENTURES offers affordable and tasty eats on the deck of an Alpine-style chalet. Stop in just for the tucker or refuel after one of the adrenaline activities on offer.
• RIVER KITCHEN CAFÉ alongside Nelson’s Maitai River is close to the centre of the city centre and offers a great range of meals and snacks, as well as superb coffee.
Kayaking © Lumiere/Nelsontasman.nz
