The Nelson and Tasman regions are located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island and offer you the most sunshine hours of any New Zealand location.

Magnificent National Parks

There are three national parks in the Nelson and Tasman regions – the Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks. So if you want to put on your tramping boots and head for a hike in the hills, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Whether it’s a day walk you’re after (perhaps to the top of the centre of New Zealand, located here in Nelson) or a strenuous multi-day tramp, one of these parks has what you’re looking for.

The Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its golden beaches, blue green sea and beautiful bays. Try sea kayaking or take a cruise and see the penguins and New Zealand fur seals – you may even be lucky enough to see some whales or dolphins.

Take a drive and enjoy the beautiful glacial formed lakes of Nelson Lakes National Park – Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. Wander through the beech forest while you’re there.

Head for the hills and take a climb up Mt Arthur in Kahurangi National Park – on a clear day you can see Farewell Spit from the top. If you’ve got the time, you can even walk to New Zealand’s West Coast on the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

Take it easy

Nelson started New Zealand’s café culture, its sunny ambiance just invites you to enjoy the outdoors. So enjoy some of the cafés while you’re here.

Then there’s the vineyards and wineries where you can taste some of the finest wines New Zealand has to offer.

Wander through the arts and crafts studios to take something special home. The Nelson Saturday market offers you a great opportunity to see what creative items the Nelson artists have to offer. Or travel out to Motueka on a Sunday for the Sunday market.

Get into the action

There are just too many activities to mention in this beautiful part of New Zealand, learn to sail, go horse riding, jump out of a plane or take-in a music festival – whatever you enjoy, we’re sure you’ll find something to your liking in the Nelson and Tasman regions.