Location
Situated around Tasman and Golden Bays at the top of the South Island, the Nelson region is surrounded by sheltering mountain ranges, giving it a mediterranean-type climate.

General
Nelson is known for its year-round sun, golden beaches, three national parks, 350 working artists, boutique wineries and the city for its historical streetscapes, waterfront cafes, fresh seafood, and a thoroughly relaxed lifestyle.

Nelson (population 52,000), named after Admiral Lord Nelson of Battle of Trafalgar fame, is the main commercial centre for the region, whose main industries are forestry, horticulture, fishing and tourism.

Main Attractions / Activities
Nelson's artists include carvers, glassblowers, painters, potters and weavers, whose work can be seen by following any of the 13 craft trails that also take in Nelson's most attractive rural settlements.

Within the sheltering confines of Tasman Bay, Nelson's beaches are safe, with silvery sand. Tahunanui Beach, within the city boundaries has the largest and best-equipped holiday park in the country.

Only the West Coast has as many national parks as Nelson. Abel Tasman, New Zealand's smallest, is a coastal wonderland of sea, sky, rocky headlands and bright golden beaches. The Nelson Lakes National Park is set amidst the mountains and glaciated valleys of south Nelson, and features beech forests and the beautiful jewel-like lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Kahurangi, the country's second-largest national park comprises 450,000ha of mostly upland wilderness, with magnificent three to four-day hiking trails.

A range of adventure experiences is available including sea kayaking, whitewater rafting on the Buller River, tandem skydiving, four-wheel drive motorbiking through native forest and hiking on some of the country's best-known tracks. There's also a 35km, four-wheel drive trip along Farewell Spit, caving under Marble Mountain, and skiing or snowboarding the Rainbow ski area.

Don't Miss

• Suter Art Gallery, Nelson
• Nelson's fresh seafood
• The wine trail
• Art, crafts and garden trails
• Hiking, Heaphy Track
• Ngarua Caves, Takaka Hill
• Waikoropupu Springs, Takaka
• Farewell Spit Safari, Golden Bay
• Nelson Lakes
• National Park Coastal Tracks, Abel Tasman National Park
• Sea kayaking, Abel Tasman National Park

Main Centres

• Nelson - this regional city is renowned for its arts and crafts and fine food
• Motueka - town nearest Abel Tasman and Kahurangi national parks

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