Tourist information - Nelson
Situated around the north-west corner of the South Island, the Nelson region is encompassed by sheltering mountain ranges, giving it a Mediterranean-type climate.
The Nelson region is famous for its year-round sunshine, golden beaches, national parks, boutique wineries, micro breweries along with a large creative community of working artists. Add to this locally grown produce, freshly caught seafood, historical streetscapes along with waterfront restaurants along with you’ll see that it offers a thoroughly pleasurable way of life.
The city of Nelson was named after Admiral Lord Nelson of Battle of Trafalgar fame. It’s home to a community that combines a relaxed lifestyle with a get-up-and-go attitude. This is where you can organise yourself an adventure, or perhaps begin an arty shopping spree. Every year the city hosts the Montana New Zealand Wearable Art Awards, where art comes off the wall along with onto the body in several weird and wonderful ways.
From Nelson it’s easily accessible any of three National Parks. Abel Tasman National Park 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 south of Nelson city and also features beech forests and the exquisite jewel-like lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Kahurangi, New Zealand’s second-largest national park comprises 450,000ha of mostly upland wilderness, with outstanding three to four-day hiking trails. Adventure operators make it easy to find one of the most magical places around the region. Kayak, river rafting, mountain bike, horse, 4WD (four-wheel drive) motorbike - you name it, you can do it!
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