36 Things to See and Fun Activities to Do in Nelson, New Zealand (NZ)

May 2, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 1606 Views

Nelson is the oldest city on the South Island of New Zealand. It sits on the eastern shore of the Tasman Bay. Some of the most fun things to do in Nelson, NZ revolve around exploring nature and experiencing adventure.

It is a popular tourist attraction owing to its proximity to beaches, forests, and mountains for the Abel Tasman National Park. You get to enjoy a variety of adventure activities in Nelson on all terrains.

You can explore the forests, hills, coastal tracks, and beaches with hiking, trekking, cycling, and mountain biking trails. Some of these trails also take you to some of the best places to visit in Nelson countryside. You can fight the waves of the ocean with surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.

Or enjoy the Nelson tourist attractions by the sea and relax on the beaches. People can also rush through rivers by rafting or zoom over the forests on a zipline. If you want more thrill, you can ride a helicopter or go skydiving over the coast to view the breathtaking things to see in Nelson. If you find the mainland too crowded, you can hop on a boat and check out some of the Nelson attractions on the islands.

Alongside nature and adventure, Nelson Travel is also a culinary delight. You can take a bicycle to explore the Great Taste Trail, Craft Beer Trail, and Wine Tours. You can also visit the very first pub in New Zealand during Nelson sightseeing.

The city bloomed during the Victorian era and still retains the charm of that time. You will see Victorian architecture reflected in many of the places to see in Nelson City. These include historical buildings, cottages, old districts, shops, gardens, and streets.

Other popular places to go in Nelson City include art galleries and markets. Here you can enjoy handicraft items, artworks, local produce, food products, street food, and more.

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Table of Contents

Top 36 Tourist Places to Visit in Nelson, New Zealand

1. Abel Tasman National Park

This is the smallest national park in the country, but still one of the most beautiful. The park has lush forests, clear streams, sandy beaches, coastal cliffs, caves, and an incredibly beautiful ocean view.

The place is popular for a variety of fun things to do in Nelson, New Zealand. You can hike through the forest, climb the hills, visit waterfalls, swim in ponds, or relax by the beach.

You can also enjoy adventure activities in Nelson. Venture out into the ocean in cruise boats, kayaks, paddle boards, or sailing boats. You can also fly above the park in a helicopter or skydive from a plane enjoying the view of the natural landscape on the way down. You can spend an entire day from Nelson travel exploring the wonders of Abel Tasman National Park.

I suggest either you should book a Day Trip to Abel Tasman National Park or if you have limited time then you should book a Scenic Cruise Tour of Abel Tasman National Park.

2. Skywire Experience

Also called the flying fox tour, this ride is a roller coaster through the forest. You will be strapped to a gondola and then zoom above the forest on a Zipline at a speed of 95+ km per hour.

It is one of the most thrilling Nelson tourist attractions and you need an hour and a half for this experience.

I suggest you should book a Ticket for Skywire Experience in advance.

3. Waka Paddling Experience

You can enjoy this cultural (and adventurous) experience at the Abel Tasman National Park. You will get onto Waka boats, traditional Maori canoes, and paddle through the ocean to reach Split Apple Rock Island.

Along the way, you will live and breathe the traditions of Maori people. You will learn how to paddle like Maori warriors, chant Karakia incantations, follow Maori commands, and communicate with traditional salutes. This is one of the best things to do in Nelson, NZ for a memorable experience and you will need an hour for it.

I suggest you should book a Waka Paddling Tour in advance.

4. Adventure Activities in Nelson

Nelson is surrounded by hills, forests, bays, beaches, cliffs, plains, rivers, and canyons. These terrains offer a variety of outdoor activities to do in Nelson.

On land, you can go for hiking, trekking, mountain climbing, quad biking, off-roading, mountain biking, cave exploration, camping, flying fox rides, and zipline adventures.

In the snowing months, you can literally enjoy a more variety of cool things to do in Nelson, NZ such as skiing, sledging, snowmobile ride, and snowboarding.

In the rivers and oceans, you can go for kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, swimming, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, canoeing, windsurfing, river rafting, and boat cruises.

If that was not enough, you can also have adventure activities to do in Nelson up in the sky. You can cruise over the landscapes in a helicopter or a plane. Then jump from the flying machines, skydiving over the beautiful coast of Abel Tasman.

Even if you are not a thrill seeker, you should try out at least one of these adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities in Nelson.

Here below I am suggesting some of adventure activities that you should try in Nelson:

5. Founders Heritage Park Museum

This open-air museum is designed like a village and is one of the best places to visit in Nelson to enjoy some leisure time. The park has beautiful gardens, heritage buildings, and attractions such as a Granary, Ball Room, Church, Energy Centre, Fire Brigade Engine House, an actual freight plane, a brewery and more.

You will also see several museums dedicated to different aspects of Nelson’s history and culture. You will need at least 2 hours to tour the Founder’s Heritage Park when you visit Nelson.

6. Nelson Lakes National Park

This national park is full of beautiful forests, pristine blue lakes, and golden alpine hills. You will come across some of the most beautiful things to see in Nelson.

The park has some amazing hiking trails with amazing landscape views, natural wonders, beaches, cultural and historical sites along the way.

The park is also known for the top things to do in Nelson in winter such as skiing, sledging, and snowboarding. You can easily spend a day or more exploring this park and winter activities in Nelson in the Southern Alps.

7. Golden Bay

This breathtaking bay sits beyond the Abel Tasman National Park and is known for its incredible natural beauty. You will see a golden sand beach, surrounded by lush green hills and rock formations rising from the ocean.

The golden bay is known for some of the most amazing Nelson attractions: Wharariki Beach, Te Waikoropupu Springs, Cape Farewell, Takaka Village, and some amazing coastal rock formations. People come here for coastal hikes, boating, and swimming.

It is also one of the best places to go in Nelson for birdwatching. The Farewell Split is frequented by more than 90 species of migratory birds. You can easily spend an entire day exploring the Golden Bay when you visit Nelson.

I suggest you should book a Day Trip to Golden Bay in advance.

8. Te Waikoropupu Springs

These are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere. It is part of the splendid Golden Bay. You can hike through the forests around the springs or tour the area on boardwalks with amazing views of the springs.

The water is so clear that you can see all the way to the bottom. You will see a variety of aquatic plants and fishes. It is one of the best places to see in Nelson, New Zealand.

These springs are among the most important cultural sites for the Maori people. You will learn about traditional tales of the springs and its guardian spirit called Taniwha. You will need about 2 hours to tour the Te Waikoropupu Springs.

9. Nelson Classic Car Museum

This museum has a collection of over 150 classic cars. You will see cars from the 1900s including big brands like Ferrari, Cadillac, Jaguar, Triumph, Vauxhall, and more. You will need about an hour from Nelson sightseeing to tour this museum.

10. Murchison Four River Plains

This is the whitewater capital of New Zealand is popular for adventurous activities in Nelson, NZ. The region is home of many streams, ponds, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and canyons.

The landscape sets the stage for some of the coolest things to do in Nelson including kayaking, white water rafting, canoeing, fly fishing, river cruises, jet boat rides, and more.

The rivers and canyons are surrounded by lush forests and hills with amazing hiking and mountain biking trails. This is the place to visit for some thrilling experiences when you visit Nelson.

11. Great Taste Trail

This cycling trail spans 175 km. You will ride across city streets, countryside roads, vineyards, beaches, coastlines, hills, villages, and forests.

The trail covers some of the best places to visit in Nelson, NZ for food, wines, beers, nature, adventure, and cultural experiences. You can embark on this journey by yourself or join a group for a guided tour. This trail is a multi-day outdoor activity to do in Nelson.

I suggest you should book a Great Taste Beer Tour in advance.

12. Maitai River Trail

This trail runs for 8 km alongside the Matai River. It is one of the best Nelson attractions for a leisurely stroll or a run. The trail is blessed with greenery and a serene flowing river.

You will also come across swimming holes including Black Hole, Sunday Hole, and Dennes Hole. You will need about an hour or so for this trail.

13. Queen’s Gardens

The design of the garden was picked on a contest that was ultimately won by Antequil Somerville. Built-in honor of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, this garden was designed as a Victorian ornamental garden.

It is also home to several things to see in Nelson including Boer War Memorial, Cupid Fountain, Sentinel Sails, and Water Wheel. You can spend 20 to 30 minutes strolling these gardens.

14. Botanical Hill & Centre of New Zealand

Climb up the botanical hill to see one of the most popular Nelson tourist attractions. The Centre of New Zealand is marked with a huge White Survey Pin.

This point is not actually the centre of the country, but it was the starting point for the first trigonometrical surveys done in the 1870s. You can also get amazing views of the city, the coastline, and surrounding hills from this place. You will need about 30 to 45 minutes to trail up to the hill and enjoy the view.

15. Montgomery Square Market (The Nelson Market)

The square hosts two markets: the Nelson Market on Saturday and Farmer’s Market on Wednesday. Both of these are among the top places to go in Nelson, NZ.

You can shop for a variety of items including handicrafts, decorative arts, fashion, food products, fresh produce, wines, home wears, healthcare items, beers, street food, and more. You can easily spend an hour or so from Nelson travel exploring these markets.

16. Quad Bike & Mountain Biking

Exploring the path less trodden through the hills, over hilltops, coastal paths, and along the mountain slopes is the definition of fun things to do in Nelson, New Zealand. You can explore the off-road paths on mountain bikes or quad bikes.

Some of the most popular trails for these adventure activities in Nelson include Bayview Circuit Quad Tour, Farm Forest Ride, Mapua Cycle Adventure, the Great Taste Trail, Abel Tasman trails, Dun Mountain trail, Coppermine trail, Tasman Bay trail, and Silvan Mountain Biking trails.

Each of these have a unique experience to offer and you need at least half a day for any of these adventures. Although some trails require multiple days to complete.

I suggest either you should try a Quad Bike Bayview Circuit or you should try a Nelson to Mapua Cycling Adventure.

17. Christ Church Cathedral

Built-in the 19th century, this cathedral boasts one of the finest architecture in the city. The church is especially known for its iconic bell tower. You only need a few minutes from Nelson travel to explore this cathedral.

18. The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary

This is the largest fenced reserve in the South Island. The sanctuary is dedicated to endangered plants and animals. The place is also quite popular for nature trails and birdwatching. This forest is one of the most wonderful places to see in Nelson. You will need about an hour to explore this sanctuary.

19. Craft Beer Trail

Just like a great taste trail, the craft beer trail is one of the best things to do in Nelson, New Zealand. The craft brewery culture of the city dates back to the 1840s when German settlers of the region started cultivating hops.

This bicycle trail takes you on a tour of bars, and breweries spread across the city and the hills to see some iconic beer landmarks such as The Mussel Inn, Hop Farm Brewery, The Workshop, Golden Bear Brewery, The Free House, and many more. You will need about 6 hours of Nelson sightseeing for this trail.

20. Tahunanui Beach

This is one of the best beaches in Nelson, it is also nearest to the city. The beach stretches far away and is hardly ever crowded. People come here to chill, enjoy ocean-view drinking & dining, and enjoy picnics.

This Nelson beach also has facilities for volleyball courts, BBQ spots, and picnic tables. The beach is also known for some fun activities in Nelson such as swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, and windsurfing. You can easily spend an hour or so at this beach when you visit Nelson.

21. Broadgreen Historic House

This quaint Victorian-style house was built in 1855 and is a fine example of residential architecture of the time. The interior of the house has a variety of artifacts that shed light on the Victorian and Colonial periods.

It is one of the best places to visit in Nelson to learn about the city’s history. You can also stroll the Samuel Rose Gardens to see the beautiful flowers looking pretty. You will need an hour to tour this historic house.

22. Marlborough Wine Region

A wine tour in this region is one of the most fun things to do in Nelson, NZ. You will get to explore vineyards in beautiful hills and sample some of the finest Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and several other wine varieties. You can enjoy wine, cheese, chocolate, and wonderful meals in courtyards overlooking the hills. You need 3 to 4 hours from Nelson travel for wine tours.

23. Rabbit Island (Moturoa)

This island is only a ferry away from Mapua Wharf. It is a little piece of paradise with beautiful beaches, pine forests, cycling trails, nature trails, snorkeling, surfing, and swimming. It is one of the most popular Nelson tourist attractions for a day trip. You can easily spend a couple of hours playing, relaxing, and exploring on this island.

24. Mapua Wharf

This wharf is one of the best places to go in Nelson for shopping, dining, and sightseeing. It has shops, restaurants, breweries, bars, cafes, art galleries, and more. The wharf also has some amazing walking and cycling trails. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore Mapua Wharf.

25. Cable Bay

The Cable Bay is one of the most beautiful things to see in Nelson, NZ. It is famous for its pebble beach that separates the ocean from the estuary.

You will see two water bodies separated by a thin stretch of land. Both water bodies are surrounded by lush green forests and hills and are blessed with some of the best beaches in Nelson.

The Bay is also famous for its nature trails, snorkeling spots, beach sports, leisure, and spa retreats. You can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in Nelson at the Cable Bay Adventure Park such as Skywire Zipline, Quad Biking, Mountain Biking, Paintball, and Archery. You will need about 2 hours to explore the Cable Bay.

26. Kahurangi National Park

Kahurangi is the second-largest national park in New Zealand. The region is blessed with mountains, hills, valleys, rivers, forests, plains, caves, and lakes. But, it has become one of the most popular Nelson attractions for being featured in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.

The park has numerous natural and manmade attractions. Some of the well-known among these include Mt. Owens, Mt. Arthur, Cobb Valley, and Oparara Basin. The park has some amazing treks and hiking trails through forests, mountains, caves, and rocky terrains.

You will come across some mesmerizing sights while exploring this beautiful region. You will need at least 3 to 4 hours to explore any of the trails, although exploring the entire park might take 2 to 3 days.

27. Explore Art Galleries

Nelson is a popular art retreat with a thriving community of creators practicing a variety of art forms. You will come across numerous small and large art galleries during Nelson sightseeing.

Some of the most popular ones include Suter Art Gallery, Red Art Gallery, Gallery 31, Hoglund Art Glass Studio, and more. You can explore all of these on the Nelson Art Trail.

It is one of the top things to do in Nelson for those who admire art and want to explore history. The trail also takes you through several museums and cultural centres. You will need an entire day to complete this trail.

28. Nelson Provincial Museum

This museum sheds light on the region’s history including politics, culture, art, nature, wildlife, geography, and so on. It is one of the best things to do in Nelson City if you want to better understand the place and the people. The museum also has an incredible collection of indigenous artifacts and artworks. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

29. World of Wearable Art

This is the premium fashion venue in Nelson City. If you are looking for some fun indoor activities to do in Nelson, this place fits the bill. You can attend a fashion show featuring top-class designers and models.

You can also tour the museum that exhibits outfits hailing from the World of Wearable Art design competition. If you understand the fashion industry, this is one of the best places to see in Nelson.

Even if you don’t you will enjoy browsing through the bold and unusual garbs that are featured here. You will need about an hour to explore this place.

30. Mount Richmond Forest Park

This is the second largest forest park in New Zealand and is known for its steep trails for advanced hikers. The peaks in this forest park rise up to 1700m, but the rocky terrain is not fit for unexperienced hikers.

But, those exploring this place will get amazing views of Tasman Bay, Kaikoura Ranges, and Wairau Plains. The park also has incredible trails for mountain biking. You will need at least a day for these adventure activities in Nelson.

31. Miyazu Japanese Garden

Nelson is the sister city of Miyazu in Japan and the garden pays tribute to this relationship. The garden has some amazing horticulture with some traditional Japanese trees, plants, flowers, artworks, sculptures, and ponds. It is one of the best places to go in Nelson for some relaxing strolls. You can easily spend 20 to 30 minutes exploring these gardens.

32. Whispering Falls

This waterfall is part of the Hackett River and can be found in Richmond Forest Park. Both the waterfall and the hike leading up to it are among the top things to do in Nelson for nature lovers.

You will follow the banks of Hackett River as it curves through the forest to reach these falls. Unlike other roaring waterfalls, the Whispering Falls drizzle over the rocks like rainfall. You will need 3 to 4 hours for this trail.

33. Historic South Street

This is the oldest preserved street in the country. It is one of the best places to visit in Nelson for an evening stroll, shopping, and dining.

You will see classic Victorian cottages, street lanterns, vintage shops, art galleries, old food joints, and cobblestone walkways. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring this place.

34. Pic’s Peanut Butter World

This is one of the most well-known establishments in the city and among the most fun Nelson tourist attractions. You can explore the factory, learn how they make a variety of peanut butter flavours, and try out these varieties. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this tour when you visit Nelson.

35. Upper Moutere

This is one of the happening districts in Nelson City. You will see shops and galleries selling handmade crafts, art, jewelry, sculptures, wines, olives, cheese, craft beer, and more. It is also home to Moutere Inn, the oldest pub in the country and one of the best Nelson attractions to try craft beers. You will need about an hour to tour this area.

36. Awaroa Beach

Also known as the People’s Beach, this is one of the prettiest beaches in Nelson. You can reach here by following the Abel Tasman Coastal Track hiking trail or taking a boat. The beach has minimal construction, which makes it feel all the more natural. You can enjoy hours exploring the beach and swimming by its shore.

If you are looking for more cool things to do in Nelson, NZ then check out the sections below. We have created a list of all the fun things to do and places to see in and around Nelson City. Check it out!

Top Things to do in Nelson, New Zealand

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Nelson, New Zealand

The Suter Art Gallery
The Nelson Provincial Museum
Christ Church Cathedral
Nelson Classic Car Museum
Broadgreen Historic House
Isel House
Fairfield House
Arty Nelson Gallery
Wall to Wall Art
Craig Potton Gallery
Boulder Bank Lighthouse
Hoglund Art Glass Studio & Gallery

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Nelson, New Zealand

Abel Tasman National Park
Natureland Wildlife Trust
Nelson Lakes National Park
The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary
Trafalgar Park
Grampians Reserve
Dun Mountain
Botanical Hill
Fringed Hill
Maungatapu Peak
Silvan Forest Mountain Bike Park
Kahurangi National Park
Nelson Haven
Waimea Inlet
Whispering Falls
Lake Rotoiti
Lake Rotoroa
Mount Owen
Nettlebed Cave

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places in Nelson, New Zealand

Queen Gardens
Pic’s Peanut Butter World
Miyazu Japanese Garden
Isle Park
Nelson Fun Park
Neale Park
Rutherford Park
Railway Reserve Park
Cable Bay Adventure Park
Richmond Plains Wines
Te Mania Wines
Nelson Archery Park

Shopping in Nelson, New Zealand

The Nelson Market
Nelson Farmer’s Market
Morrison Square Mall
Nelson Mall
Mariposa Clothing Nelson
Morrison Square
Mapua Village Market

Beaches & Island in Nelson

Tahunanui Beach
Haulashore Island
Rabbit Island
Boulder Bank
Rough Island
The Glen & Cable Bay
Kaiteriteri Beach
Marahau Beach
Motueka Beach
Split Apple Rock
Kina Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Nelson

Hiking
Trekking
Mountain Climbing
Quad Biking
Off Roading
Mountain Biking
Cave Exploration
Swimming
Camping
Flying Fox Rides
Zipline
Skiing
Sledging
Kayaking
Paddle boarding
Surfing
Sailing
Scuba diving
Snorkeling
Canoeing
Wind surfing
River rafting
Boat cruises
Helicopter Tours
Skydiving

Sightseeing in Nelson

Centre of New Zealand Monument
South Street
Upper Moutere

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Nelson

Moutere Inn
Nelson Bar
The Indian Cafe
Urban Oyster Bar
Hawker House
East Street Vegetarian Cafe
Harbour Light Bistro
Harry’s Bar
The Boat Shed Cafe
The Styx Kitchen & Bar
Melrose House Cafe
Paasha Turkish
East St.
Little Beach Boathouse
Burger Culture
Hopgoods
Little Dove Cafe
Broccoli Row
The Honest Lawyer Country Pub
COD & Lobster Brasserie
Tongtara Thai

Where to Stay in Nelson?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Nelson. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Nelson.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Nelson

How to Reach Nelson?

By Air

You can reach Nelson via the city’s airport. You can get direct flights to Nelson Airport from Auckland, Christchurch, Karamea, Wellington, Hamilton, Takaka, Palmerston North, and Kapiti Coast. You can get buses and cabs to get to Nelson City from the airport.

By Road

There are no trains to visit Nelson. The closest train station is the one in Picton and Blenheim. These are about 140 km and 120 km respectively from Nelson City by road. You can also get buses from these cities and several other cities on the South Island for Nelson travel.

Although if you are planning to reach Nelson by road, you should head northwest on the South Island along New Zealand State Highway 6. This is the only major route that passes through the city.

By Water

There are no water routes to visit Nelson. Although you can get ferries to and from Nelson to reach the nearby islands.

Image Reference

Abel Tasman National Park – David Philipp / PixaBay
Skywire Experience –
Waka Paddling Experience –
Adventure Activities in Nelson – Nicoleta Nastace / PixaBay
Founders Heritage Park Museum – Stephen Colebourne / Flickr
Nelson Lakes National Park – davidhollis / PixaBay
Golden Bay / Mohua – life in still. / Flickr
Te Waikoropupu Springs – Samej / Flickr
Nelson Classic Car Museum – Jane Nearing / Flickr
Murchison Four River Plains –
Great Taste Trail – Robin Capper / Flickr
Maitai River Trail – Robin Capper / Flickr
Queen’s Gardens – Christine Riggle / Flickr
Botanical Hill & Centre of New Zealand – Robin Capper / Flickr
Montgomery Square Market (The Nelson Market) –
Quad Bike & Mountain Biking – Robin Capper / Flickr
Christ Church Cathedral – Claire Cox / Flickr
The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary – Murray Neill / Flickr
Craft Beer Trail –
Tahunanui Beach – Robin Capper / Flickr
Broadgreen Historic House – Pseudopanax / Wikimedia Commons
Marlborough Wine Region – Michael Koukoullis / Flickr
Rabbit Island (Moturoa) – TGN1 / Flickr
Mapua Wharf – Robin Capper / Flickr
Cable Bay – russellstreet / Flickr
Kahurangi National Park – russellstreet / Flickr
Explore Art Galleries – Mike Dickison / Wikimedia Commons
Nelson Provincial Museum – Mike Dickison / Wikimedia Commons
World of Wearable Art – Tony Hisgett / Flickr
Mount Richmond Forest Park – Makalu / PixaBay
Miyazu Japanese Garden – russellstreet / Flickr
Whispering Falls –
Historic South Street – Christine Riggle / Flickr
Pic’s Peanut Butter World – Suncityz / Wikimedia Commons
Upper Moutere – Ulrich Lange / Wikimedia Commons
Awaroa Beach – Jeremy Bank / Flickr