3 minute read
Escape to the sun in Nelson Tasman & Golden Bay
WITH MORE SUNSHINE HOURS THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE SOUTH ISLAND, NELSON TASMAN ALWAYS SHINES. DIVERSITY IS HER SECOND ACE: WHATEVER YOU’RE INTO, THIS REGION SERVES IT BY THE BUCKET LOAD.
We’re talking water sports, music festivals, wine tasting and interactive exhibitions, as well as seafood, farmers’ markets, mountain biking and top-notch beer making. If you’re eating it, swinging it or simply sipping it, Nelson will show you a good time.
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Creativity is always in the air and visitors can lap up the festivities year-round. If it’s action and adventure you’re after, the region also delivers quad bike tours, helicopter rides, endless kayaking and the world’s longest flying fox.
When all the above leaves you shattered, Golden Bay is the perfect ‘flop and drop’ destination. A glowing curve of sand slips into aqua-marine water and escapism has never been so easy on the eye.
Nurturing Nelson
Relax on long Tāhunanui Beach or golden Kaiteriteri Beach, or drive out to beautiful Rabbit Island (Moturoa), have a swim and watch the white heron and other wading birds as the tide changes.
Tour the globe in six acres at Gardens of the World, browse the arts and crafts stalls at Nelson’s Saturday Market and pick up some gifts or graze the artisan produce stalls for picnic food. Head up to the Centre of New Zealand walk on Botanical Hill, so-called because it was a central survey point in the 19th century. Walk down the other side to the Black Hole swimming spot and return on the Maitai Track.
For something a little different, book a free 40-minute tour of Pic’s Peanut Butter Factory. Kids will love making their own, and adults never say no to the tastings. Die-hard fans can also climb the world’s largest jar of peanut butter.
Once all excursions are ticked off, enjoy some downtime and a therapeutic treatment at a boutique spa retreat.
Spooners Tunnel, Tasman's Great Taste Trail
George Guille Media
See & Do in Nelson
FEEL THE CREATIVITY - There are more than 300 working artists in the region and The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū, is a good place to absorb this creative vibe.
DELVE INTO HISTORY - Visit the city’s heritage sites: Broadgreen Historic House was built in 1855 and is Nelson’s oldest residence, while Founders Heritage Park has a replica settlers’ village and a railway line. Nelson also has a rich hop growing and brewing industry which is championed at the Hop and Beer Museum. The Classic Car Museum is a standout attraction, with more than 160 mint condition vehicles on display and if you fancy a coffee, check out the museum’s recently overhauled café, the Little Engine Eatery.
GET ACTIVE - Enjoy an amphibious river ride, go canyoning, quad biking and kite surfing or simply hire a bike.
Tasman's Great Taste Trail
Virginia Woolf Photography
Nelson's Skywire in Cable Bay Adventure Park has a flying four-seater vessel. Suspended 300 metres above ground, it'll hurtle you through the air at 100km/hr.
Best Food & Drink in Nelson
Pick up local artisan produce at Nelson Market, held every Saturday from 8am-1pm at Montgomery Square.
Failing that, the Nelson Farmers’ Market pops up every Wednesday between 8am-2pm on Kirby Lane.
With 28 boutique wineries and cellar doors and more craft breweries per capita than anywhere else in the country, enjoy a wine tour or embark on the Nelson Craft Beer Trail.
Treat your tastebuds to fish and chips at The Smokehouse on Māpua Wharf, or the Sands Fish & Chip Shop by Tāhunanui Beach.
A coffee from Raglan Roast at Tāhunanui Beach tastes spectacular after a swim in the sea.
Combine all of the above on the looped, one to four-day Great Taste Trail, covering 177km of fruit stalls, pie shops, vineyards and breweries.
