Focus On | Nelson
Nelson’s spot under the sun Sitting at the top north-west corner of the South Island, Nelson is consistently rated the sunniest region in the country, with a geography which boasts everything from long golden beaches to untouched forests and rugged mountains. Nelson city serves as a gateway to the three national parks on its doorstep and has firmly established itself as a popular ecotourism and adventure tourism town. Many areas within the greater Nelson Tasman region boast beaches, forests, pristine bodies of water and magnificent cave systems. Nelson truly is the best of both worlds. It’s large enough to offer all the services and amenities of a large city, but at the same time it is small enough to be welcoming and friendly. Nelson is New Zealand’s largest fishing port and the gateway to a major forestry and horticulture industry. There is the attraction of fine foods, great wines, an innovative craft industry, spectacular scenery and traditional Kiwi hospitality and the combination makes Nelson Tasman a place holiday-makers flock to all year round. The beautiful coastline from Nelson to Golden Bay and the Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its clear blue waters and pristine golden sand beaches.
The park itself can be explored by guided walks, sea kayak, cruise boat, water taxi or freedom walking, allowing you to see penguins, seals, dolphins and native birds, all set in lush native forest and beautiful beaches. Inland Nelson Tasman is equally as exciting, in a wonderland of water adventure, including kayaking, rafting and boating. If frozen water is a preference, skiing and even ice skating make the Nelson Lakes National Park a popular winter destination, well served by some exquisite luxury lodges hidden away among mountains, lakes and exotic native bush settings.
Nelson Tasman is very family friendly. There are three national parks and the Abel Tasman should be a number one must do on everyone’s list. It is one of the country’s sunshine capitals and is also earning a title as the creative arts capital with more than 250 local artists, including traditional, contemporary and Maori. Along with a plethora of wineries, Nelson is also emerging as a culinary destination with an abundance of local flavours. Local restaurants can tempt the most discerning palate with their superb seafood including mussels, scallops, oysters, seasonal whitebait, and many fish varieties. The Taste Nelson festival is held each year to celebrate these culinary delights.
Wakefield Homestead is owned and operated by Hilary Bird and Margaret Helleur who are sisters that grew up in the Wakefield area. We are committed to the further development of the Wakefield Homestead to make it a home away from home. Our mission statement is “Family working with families to make a positive difference in people’s lives”. Hilary has a team of caring, dedicated staff who support our residents. All have a wide range of health and well-being experience and enjoy sharing their knowledge with other staff to continually increase their knowledge and understanding of supporting people to give them the best day possible. Community is family and Wakefield Homestead is committed to being a central part of the wider Wakefield community by being involved at all levels of village life.
Phone: (03) 541 8995 • Mob: 027 440 9083 Email: tuiglen.23@xtra.co.nz • 10a Edward Street, Wakefield, Nelson 54 | www.canterburytoday.co.nz
Nelson, blessed by nature as a destination which offers almost everything, is not to be missed in any tour of New Zealand. The region is easily accessible, being one and half hour’s drive from Picton, the gateway to the South Island via Cook Strait, or five hours from Christchurch, and is served by regular flights from all over New Zealand. CT Nelson Tasman Tourism PO Box 788 Nelson (03) 546 6228 info@NelsonNZ.com www.nelsonnz.com
— Advertising Feature
