Beautiful mountains at Nelson Lakes National Park in New Zealand

Things to do in  Nelson

Sunshine capital of the south

New Zealand’s South Island is best known for its dramatic mountains, and pristine lakes and beaches—and the small city of Nelson delivers on all fronts. Tucked between the Richmond Range and the broad sweep of Tasman Bay, the city itself is a pretty place. But if you’re looking for outdoor things to do, head further afield: Three of New Zealand’s 13 national parks are within a 1.5-hour drive of Nelson. Between them, Abel Tasman, Kahurangi, and Nelson Lakes provide all the hiking, kayaking, beach, and wildlife adventures that South Island travel dreams are made of.

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Top 1 attractions in Nelson

#1

Marlborough District

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The Marlborough District, at the northeastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, is a sunny area of vineyards, mountains, and the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Lovers of good food and drink flock to the region, as do outdoor adventure enthusiasts.More
Tours & Tickets

Explore Nelson by interest

Top activities in Nelson

Best Abel Tasman Day trip

Best Abel Tasman Day trip

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161
From
$227.79
Full-Day Abel Tasman National Park Hiking Tour with Cruise

Full-Day Abel Tasman National Park Hiking Tour with Cruise

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48
From
$303.11
Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park

Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park

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41
From
$160.36
SKYWIRE Experience

SKYWIRE Experience

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139
From
$66.82
Golden Bay in a Day

Golden Bay in a Day

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16
From
$242.37
Tunnel to Town - Via Mapua

Tunnel to Town - Via Mapua

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9
From
$106.30
Quad Bike - Bayview Circuit

Quad Bike - Bayview Circuit

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42
From
$115.41
Nelson City Walking Tour - Guided

Nelson City Walking Tour - Guided

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37
From
$29.16
Private boat charter in Abel Tasman National Park

Private boat charter in Abel Tasman National Park

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23
From
$1,725.12
per group
Tunnel to Town

Tunnel to Town

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3
From
$86.26
Magical Mapua Charms in off-summer Season Selfguided Cycle Tour

Magical Mapua Charms in off-summer Season Selfguided Cycle Tour

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$75.93
Spooners Tunnel to Nelson One Day Cycle Self Guided Tour

Spooners Tunnel to Nelson One Day Cycle Self Guided Tour

From
$82.00
Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting

Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting

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10
From
$97.19
Magical Mapua Self Guided One Day Cycle Tour

Magical Mapua Self Guided One Day Cycle Tour

From
$75.93
Self-Guided Nelson to Mapua Cycle Adventure

Self-Guided Nelson to Mapua Cycle Adventure

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42
From
$72.28
3-Day Abel Tasman Sailing Holiday

3-Day Abel Tasman Sailing Holiday

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1
From
$5,758.50
per group
Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park

Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park

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6
From
$122.09
18,000ft Tandem Skydive over Abel Tasman

18,000ft Tandem Skydive over Abel Tasman

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55
From
$454.97
Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided)

Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided)

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14
From
$78.97
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All about Nelson

When to visit

Nelson is at its best in summer (December through February), when you can swim in the sea and river; dine al fresco in the pedestrianized city center; and hike or bike outdoors. Many outdoor activities are also pleasant in the autumn (March through May), and sea and river temperatures remain comfortable after the end of summer. Accommodation tends to book up well in advance around the Christmas and New Year period, and throughout the school summer holidays, so get in early if you can.

Getting around

Central Nelson is compact and easy to get around on foot, and there are pleasant walks along the Maitai River that runs through the city. There are plenty of mountain bike rental companies around Nelson, too, for travelers wanting to hit the trails around the Maitai Valley. If you don’t have your own car, there’s also a fleet of electric buses that provide handy and affordable connections to Tāhunanui Beach, the airport, Richmond, and further afield to Brightwater, Wakefield, Māpua, and Motueka.

Traveler tips

Although many people visiting the broader Nelson–Tasman region want to go hiking in the three nearby national parks, visitors with less time can still enjoy some excellent hiking within the city at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. It’s the largest fenced eco-sanctuary on the South Island and is a short drive from the city center. There’s an admission fee but that provides access to tranquil, well-maintained trails through native and regenerating bush, with lots of bird life to discover.

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Tours
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Reviews
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People Also Ask

How do you spend a day in Nelson?

An ideal day in Nelson involves getting outdoors. Spend the morning walking or cycling the flat paths along the banks of the Maitai River, walking up to the Centre of New Zealand lookout for fabulous views, or hiking in the Waimārama Brook Sanctuary. In the afternoon, head to Tāhunanui Beach to enjoy the calm seas and white sand.

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Is there much to do in Nelson?

Yes, there is plenty to do in Nelson. Although it’s a fairly small city, it’s the gateway to three diverse national parks: Nelson Lakes, Abel Tasman, and Kahurangi. In the city itself, there’s a beach with calm water (Tāhunanui), walking and biking trails, great places to eat and drink, and a popular Saturday morning craft market.

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What is there to do in Nelson when it’s raining?

Although most of Nelson’s attractions involve the great outdoors, there are still a few things to do if it’s raining. The Suter Art Gallery has well-curated exhibitions and the Nelson Provincial Museum explores Nelson’s history. Travelers with kids can head to Flip Out trampoline park, the Timezone arcade, Inflatable World, and the roller-skating rink.

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What is Nelson Tasman known for?

The Nelson-Tasman region is known for its sunny climate, fruit orchards, and three national parks: Abel Tasman, Kahurangi, and Nelson Lakes. The Nelson and Tasman districts span a large area, from the beaches of Tasman Bay and Golden Bay to the mountains of Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi, so there’s lots to see and do.

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Is Nelson NZ worth visiting?

Yes, Nelson is worth visiting. Although it’s just a small city, it makes an excellent base for exploring highlights of the Top of the South, especially the Abel Tasman, Kahurangi, and Nelson Lakes National Parks. If you enjoy hiking, cycling, and sea kayaking, you’ll especially enjoy Nelson.

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Why do people go to Nelson?

Nelson is a popular tourist destination because it’s the largest city at the top of the South Island—so a handy gateway to the beautiful Tasman district. It’s also popular thanks to its sunny climate: its geography means it’s very sheltered and gets a lot of sunshine, with mild winters and hot summers.

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