Nelson

Mountains, bays, lakes, AND caves.

Located on New Zealand's South Island, this calm harbor town is home to many local art galleries, walking paths and the World of Wearable Art Museum.

4.3
out of 5

Nelson, New Zealand's second-oldest settled city, sits at the top of the South Island between three national parks. You can walk the 51-kilometer Abel Tasman Coast Track to Anchorage Beach, swim at Tahunanui Beach, or browse handmade jewelry and fresh produce at the Saturday Market in Montgomery Square. Local artists work in more than 350 studios throughout the city - you'll find glassblowers shaping sculptures at Höglund Art Glass and jewelers crafting rings at Jens Hansen's workshop. With 2,500 hours of sunshine each year, you can explore Nelson's beaches and hiking trails in any season.

Getting to Nelson

You can reach Nelson by driving two hours from Picton or six hours from Christchurch. Take SH1 through Kaikoura or choose SH6 over Lewis Pass and through Murchison to see snow-capped peaks and clear mountain streams. While you can walk across the city center in 30 minutes, you'll need a car to explore the national parks and surrounding regions.

Weather and When to Visit

Nelson gets more than 2,500 hours of sunshine annually - the highest in New Zealand. Summer temperatures (December to February) reach 23°C with little rain. Winter days stay mild, rarely falling below 4°C, though rain becomes more common from June through August.

Arts and Local Culture

More than 350 working artists call Nelson home. At Höglund Art Glass Studio, you can watch artisans transform molten glass into delicate vessels and sculptures. Step into Jens Hansen's workshop to see craftspeople making jewelry, including replicas of the One Ring from Lord of the Rings. Each October, the Nelson Arts Festival brings live music and theater to venues throughout the city.

Markets and Food

Every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM, 200+ vendors fill Montgomery Square Market. Local farmers bring organic produce from the Moutere Hills, while fishing boats deliver fresh salmon to market stalls each morning. The region's hop farms supply Nelson's craft breweries, which gather at Founders Heritage Park during MarchFest each autumn.

National Parks

Three national parks border Nelson. Drive one hour to Abel Tasman National Park, where the coastal track leads to secluded coves like Anchorage Beach and past granite cliffs. In Nelson Lakes National Park, walk through beech forest around Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. The 78-kilometer Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park takes you through nikau palm forests and along rugged coastline.

Day Trips

You can reach Marlborough's wine region in 90 minutes, where flat cycling paths connect more than 30 wineries. Rent a bike - rental shops include maps and will pick you up afterward. From Picton, two hours away, catch a boat tour through Marlborough Sounds, where forested hills meet deep blue water. Walk sections of the Queen Charlotte Track for panoramic views of the bays and inlets below.

Average temperatures during the day in Nelson.
June
8°
Jul
7°
Aug
8°
Sep
10°
Oct
12°
Nov
14°
Dec
16°
Jan
18°
Feb
18°
Mar
16°
Apr
13°
May
10°

What people say about Nelson

4.3
People
5
Food
4
Spaces
4
Value
4
Safety
4

What to do in Nelson

Places to visit in New Zealand

Article from September 2024 with 15 places

If you are going somewhere after your ferry trip from Wellington to Picton it is the charming city Nelson. A place embossed with neighbourship, good coffee and people walking barefoot on the streets during summer.

To appreciate the views over undulating mountains you do not have to go far. A short spirling walk up to the Centre of New Zealand Monument will give you an amazing start of your day. From the Centre of New Zealand you can continue on other trails, favorably running, down to Branford park and end with a swim in the Black hole in the Maitai river.

From Nelson there are also multiple National parks and possibilities for dreamy views. One of the top places to go is Abel Tasman National Park, where you can do both one or several days of hiking or kayaking. It is always easy to find a guided one if you want to. Another one is Nelson Lakes National Parks, where you can choose the level and length of the adventure, but still have an amazing time.

This is also the place for peanut butter lovers. A bike ride or short car ride away you find Pic's Peanut factory, where you learn about the company's history and can even make your own peanut butter.

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Lord of the Rings filming locations

Article from February 2023 with 11 places

The maker of the actual rings

Nelson was chosen as a filming location because of its stunning landscapes and close proximity to the Southern Alps. It is also home to some of the most picturesque places in New Zealand. Apart from being the setting for many scenes, Nelson is home to ring maker Jens Hansen who made all the rings used in the movies. He has a jewelry store in town where several rings are on display.

Scenes shot in Nelson and its surroundings include the fellowship hiding from Saruman's black crows under the rock formations in the South of Rivendell and Aragorn leading the hobbits to flee from the Black Riders into the Chetwood Forest in An Unexpected Journey.

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