Local Attractions

Cycle Hire-  Nelson has a range of wonderful road and mountain bike riding options, including the Great Taste Trail. We have bikes available for hire from Reception.

​

​

 

Nelson’s weekend market in the center of town is well known for an inspiring array of arts, crafts, designer garments, produce, artisan foods, and more. It is the perfect place for locals and tourists to experience the creativity and essence of the Nelson region and its local people. Established over 30 years ago, it has evolved into a bustling, vibrant destination with up to 200 stalls.

For all your adrenaline needs, Cable Bay Adventure Park has an adventure experience catering for all ages – paintball, quad bike tours, and the world’s longest Skywire.

​

Nelson has a wonderful selection of Wineries and breweries to explore. Reception can provide you with a list of vineyards and breweries and can organize a tour for you upon request.

​

​

​

​

​

​

The Suter Art Gallery has a collection of local, national, and international art. The Suter presents a dynamic program of exhibitions. There is also a shop and an onsite café to help you unwind at the end of your visit

​

The Nelson Classic Car Museum - A world-class collection of more than 150 classic cars in immaculate condition, there is also their onsite Little Engine Eatery Café and a giftware shop including handmade treasures from local artists.

​

​

​

​

​

The Geographical Centre of NZ - The starting point for the Centre of New Zealand walk is the Botanical Reserve, which is the site of the first-ever rugby game in NZ! There are several routes you can take to the top. After reaching the summit you have a few options – you can descend via one of Botanical Hills other tracks or extend your walk further. Walk down the eastern side toward Branford Park to the ‘Black Hole’ swimming hole for a refreshing swim and return via the Maitai Track, or follow the sign to Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve and walk back via Milton Street, stopping by at the Sprig and Fern for a well-deserved drink! FYI – The Centre of New Zealand walk is steep but short. The main walk is suitable for sturdy prams and buggies.

​

National Parks - Nelson is ideally suited to access the Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and the Nelson Lakes National Park. Each of these parks have quite different activities and scenery on offer, so within a few hours’ drive you can find coastal, mountain and high plateaux hiking, fishing, skiing, mountain biking, caving and sailing. The Abel Tasman National Park is also famous for sea kayaking and water-taxi trips, which can be booked at reception

​

​

​

​

​

Hoglund  Glass - The studio is open all year round. The Hoglund family invite you to their glass blowing studio and showroom which is fully stocked with stunning art glass. Blown perfume-bottles, vases, goblets and bowls in beautiful colours by Ola and Ossie and fused glass jewellery and glass beads.

​

Jens Hansen - Home of ‘The One Ring’ used in filming of The Lord of The Rings & The Hobbit Trilogies. You can now buy your own with any engraving of your choosing. Also available are wedding and engagement jewellery, plus many original pieces. All jewellery is handcrafted

​

Pics Peanut Butter Factory - See how the world’s best peanut butter is made. Marvel at strange machinery, inhale fresh roasted nuts – you even get to taste samples and make your own peanut butter – bookings are required.

​

​

​

​

​

Tahunanui – Nelson’s famous beach is excellent for swimming and is also popular with walkers, joggers, windsurfers and sun seekers. Paddle boards are also available for hire.

​

Cable Bay - A little slice of paradise is only 25 minutes ‘drive from Nelson and offers a perfect place for coffee and cake at the café (although not open all year round) and a gentle stroll along the beach. On offer nearby is the Cable Bay Walkway, sea kayaking and Cable Bay Adventure Park

​

Kaiteriteri Beach - This attractive beach town is 13 kilometres from Motueka and handy to the Abel Tasman National Park. Known for its beautiful golden sand and clear blue-green water, Kaiteriteri has a choice of places to eat and a range of local hikes including Withells Walk and Kaka Pah Point. From Kaiteriteri you can catch a water taxi or tour into the Abel Tasman National Park and hire some kayaks.

​

Motoroa Rabbit Island - The largest of a group of sandy islands lying in the Waimea Estuary at the head of Tasman Bay, a 30-minute drive from Nelson City. Along the seaward side there is more than eight kilometres of safe sandy beach. This is the largest picnic area in the district. You can also catch a ferry from here to the Mapua wharf, which has some lovely restaurants and art and craft shops to wander around.

​

​

​

​

​

​

Founders Heritage Park- Experience Nelson life in the 1880’s to 1930’s. Stroll through character streets, tranquil gardens and charming village greens. Take a ride on the train, meet resident artists, treat yourself at the Founders Brewery Café.

​

The Miyazu Gardens Celebrate Nelson’s relationship with its Japanese sister city. As soon as you walk through the gate, made from old recycled timber from the port, the street noise is replaced with an immediate feeling of serenity. Doing a circle of the garden from entrance you come to the first dragon pond, overhung by Jim’s Pine, a weathered 30-year-old Bonsai.

​

Isel Park is located in the suburb of Stoke. It features many gardens and includes 4 hectares of park. With a number of NZ’s oldest exotic tree species, a collection of Rhododendrons and a historic house which has a seasonal café window in the courtyard and a twilight market during daylight savings

​

Our onsite Swimming Pool is heated during Summer and is free to use during daylight hours over the summer months. Towels are available beside the pool. There is also the Riverside Public Pool which offers lane swimming, public swimming, Swim Magic Swim School, aqua fitness classes, a deluxe spa pool and a gym. Lane swimming is available on weekdays from 6.00am – 9.00am and 5.00pm – 7.00pm; weekends from 8.30am – 12pm

​

​

​

​

​

Nelson has two Cinemas within easy walking distance, Nelson State Cinema and the Suter Cinema. Take a 20minute drive to the suburb of Berryfields in Richmond and enjoy, the luxury cinema experience of Silky Otter Cinema

​

The Christ Church Cathedral overlooks the city business district and is set in a garden with. Please ask at reception for information on the services and locations of Churches and places to worship.

​

The exhibition and education part of the Museum, in Central Nelson, is the gateway (waharoa) for our community to explore and reflect on their cultural heritage and the natural history of the region. At their central city location, on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Streets, Nelson, there are two main gallery spaces featuring Regional History gallery and temporary exhibitions, a classroom, museum shop and rooftop garden

​

​

​

Nature Land is Nelson’s Zoo and Wildlife Conservative Centre where you can get up close and personal to some unique New Zealand natives, such as Tuatara and Kea. Hang with the monkeys and get hands on with a range of interesting domestic animals.

​

​

​

​

​

​

Nelson Fun Park - Hurtle down the hydro slide, splash your neighbour on the bumper boats or challenge your friends in a round of mini golf. If that’s not enough you could also have a go at Laser Tag, Pro Karts, Mega Slide, the Trampoline Park or have a skate in the roller blading rink. Lots of fun for the whole family.

 

 

Action Centre Inflatable World – Located 15 minutes’ drive away in Richmond, the indoor centre features a large inflatable playground, VR golf, Bowling, Mini Golf, Arcade Games, a kids spacewalk play area for young children, and a retro American themed diner.

 

The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary is a community-based initiative working to create a pest-free wildlife sanctuary close to the Nelson City Centre in New Zealand. Integral to creating the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary was the construction of a pest-proof fence 14km long, to enclose the area and to eradicate all the pest mammals within it. This will enable the re-creation of a historic piece of New Zealand which today is only found on a few offshore islands. Resident birds, reptiles and invertebrates will flourish and species previously lost from the area will be re-introduced.  

Te pa Harakeke - A natural playground in the Tahunanui reserve area featuring picnic area, high rope and the floor is lava course – some Sundays and public holidays - miniature trains are available and running to ride for a gold coin donation                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

       

​

​

​