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As well as offering the ultimate city experience, Wellington is surrounded by stunning regions, making the 'Capital of Cool' the perfect base for your New Zealand escape.

Just a 30 minute flight from Wellington will take you to the sheltered north-facing coastal region of Nelson. With its sunny climate, Nelson is perfect place to start when exploring popular national park, the Abel Tasman.

Spend a few days exploring Nelson city and the surrounding region, and discover a plethora of artists’ studios, seaside cafés, boutique vineyards and micro-breweries, all surrounded by the stunning beauty of the region’s three national parks.

Here are some suggested itineraries to make the most of your Nelson experience:


     Day 1 – Nelson City Highlights

• Get a bird’s eye view of Nelson by taking the 45 minute return trip up Botanical Hill to the Centre of New Zealand. The lookout was the starting point for the original trigonometrical surveys of the South Island.

• On a Saturday morning, be sure to visit the Nelson Market, which showcases locally crafted jewellery, art, designer clothing, and artisan produce.

• Gain an insider’s experience of local art studios and galleries clustered around the art deco Christ Church Cathedral. Pick up a copy of the souvenir Nelson Art Guide book at the i-SITE Visitor Information Centre.

• Grab a bite to eat and dine alfresco style at one of many cafés in the brick paved area under the cathedral steps.

     OR

• Lunch at an organic brewery in historic Founders Park, with its replica historic village. Enjoy a garden lunch at the brewery café, with a pint of a local favourite. Afterwards treat yourself to the delights of the L’Artisan Bakery and Kerstiens Chocolates.

• Spend the afternoon sailing on the Nelson Haven. See the working port, fishing boats and marina from the water. Discover the unique Boulder Bank and historic lighthouse. Climb to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the fantastic views.

     OR

• Head north from the city to Cable Bay. Stop off at Happy Valley Adventures, for quad bike action through native forest trails to a summit overlooking Delaware Bay and the Marlborough Sounds. At the summit, ride the Skywire, a four-person carriage suspended over a valley of native bush that reaches speeds of up to 90km/hour. Continue along the road to Cable Bay Walkway, a 3 ½ hour walk offering wonderful coastal views. Reward your efforts at the charming Cable Bay Café.

• Dine on the waterfront in Nelson’s iconic Boatshed Café.

     Day 2 – Abel Tasman Wonderland

• Take the 60 minute trip by road to Marahau or Kairteriteri at the Southern edge of the Abel Tasman National Park. The Abel Tasman provides a lot to explore, and you can do it on foot, along the gentle and well-graded Abel Tasman Coast Track; or by water, following the coastline on kayak, water taxi, under sail or aboard a cruising cat. Enjoy the endless golden sand beaches, secluded bays and rocky outcrops. Make sure you pass the seal colony at Tonga Island.

• Spend the night in Abel Tasman National Park or at a nearby lodge or bed and breakfast. Dine at your accommodation or historic Mapua Wharf. These days the wharf buildings house galleries, shops, a small aquarium and a craft brewery.

     Day 3 – A Golden Day in Golden Bay

• Head west over the ‘Marble Mountain’ to Golden Bay, where spending a day is like a being on holiday for a week! Farewell Spit at the northern tip of the South Island is a remarkable 35km sandspit with over 90 species of birds. Take a trip across the remote and rugged landscape on a purpose-built bus to the gannet colony and lighthouse at the very end.

• No trip to Golden Bay is complete without mingling with the colourful locals at a quirky café like the Mussel Inn, famous for its live music, good food and beer brewed onsite.

• Waikoropupu Springs is a sacred place to Maori and is where you will find some of the clearest fresh water ever measured (visibility of 63 metres!). Take the easy walk through native forest to the viewing platform on the small lake formed by the springs.

• Downstream from the springs, fresh salmon is farmed at Anatoki Salmon. Entry to the picturesque farm is free, and catching a fish is almost guaranteed. Pay for your catch by weight and have it cooked fresh for your riverside picnic, or to take away for another day.