South Island North Region
The Nelson Region, located in the top north-west corner of the South Island, offers visitors a combination of a creative and laidback lifestyle and stunning landscape. Named a city in 1858, Nelson is ideally located at the northern edge of the Southern Alps. Relax and unwind with a backdrop of towering snow-tipped mountains, beautiful beaches and acre of picturesque vineyards.
To visit the Nelson region is to discover incredibly clear blue skies and wide open spaces, immaculate beaches and glassy lakes, spectacular national parks and unique landforms, vineyards and gourmet cafés, artists and galleries, entrepreneurs and boutique shopping experiences. The Nelson region is a pocket of paradise in the top northwest corner of the South Island.
If relaxation is what you're searching for then you've found it in Nelson. With everything from spas to self-help management, cooking classes to tai chi, alternate medicine to pure luxury - Nelson has it all. The idyllic environment provides the perfect place to relax, unwind and bid your worries goodbye.
There is so much you can do when visiting Nelson. Nelson has the second largest amount of National Parks in New Zealand. These parks feature not only lush green forests, but also silver sand beaches. Some of the most famous National parks in this region that are well worth a visit are Abel Tasman National Park, The Nelson Lakes National Park and Kahurangi National Park. Some other natural attractions not to be missed are Ngarua Caves, Waikoropupu Springs and Farewell Spit Safari. The other attractions that you must visit are the Suter Art Gallery, The wine trail, Art, crafts and garden trails and the Hiking, Heaphy Track.
Popular activities include white water rafting, horseback riding, skiing, golf, rock climbing, bike riding and more. You can get to Nelson by ferry, car, bus and plane. The Nelson Airport has over 90 domestic arrivals and departures daily. Regular ferries operate from Wellington to Picton with a bus connection to Nelson.
Towns in the Nelson Region of the South Island of New Zealand includes Nelson, Collingwood, Motueka, Murchison, Richmond, Takaka and St Arnaud.
Tucked away in the top left corner of the South Island, Takaka is the gateway to beautiful Golden Bay. Takaka has a laid-back atmosphere and an interesting, artistic local community. Accommodation in Takaka includes is a self-catering motel, hotel and caravan park providing accommodation options.
Motueka, at the mouth of the Motueka River is a prolific orcharding area, well known for apples, berries, hops and green tea. Motueka is a colourful, slightly alternative, town and is also a base for travellers enroute to the walking trails of the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks. Motueka provides a choice of interesting cafes and restaurants, and a good selection of accommodation. Choose from lodges, self-catering motels and cottages, bed & breakfasts and holiday parks offering budget accommodation, backpacker, campervan and campsites.
Nelson is located in the northern region of New Zealand's South Island and is known for having the highest sunshine hours in the country. It is a beautiful city with strong arts and cultural background and it is recognised for its fine wines. With an abundance of outdoor activities and pristine beaches at your door step - it is a fantastic place to explore NZ wilderness.
The town of Murchison looks after the local farming community and provides a base for adventure seekers. It is the only sizeable settlement in the Buller region before the Buller Gorge and the West Coast. Murchison offers various accommodation options, including a tavern, self-catering apartments and motels, farmstay and holiday parks with budget accommodation and campsites.
There is a range of accommodation in the Nelson region including motels, luxury lodges, backpackers, B&Bs, cottages and apartment accommodation in Nelson.
