Nelson, New Zealand

The Nelson Market is a farmer’s market that is held in Montgomery Square every Saturday that sells a wealth of organic fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat and fish products, garden plants and seedlings, and handcrafted items like clothing, home décor, artworks, and jewelry. Established over 30 years ago, the long-standing market is popular with both locals and visitors, the market also sells an array of homemade foods and sweet treats ranging from organic honey and free-range eggs to freshly baked pastries and confectionary to gourmet sandwiches and other grab-and-go foods.

Montgomery Square, Nelson Nelson, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand, Phone: +64-35-46-64-54

Established in 2001, the World of WearableArt & Classic Cars Museum is dedicated to both flamboyant garments of clothing that can be worn as art pieces and vintage cars. The unique museum has an incredible collection of classic cars in mint condition, including Pierce-Arrow sedans and Cadillac Coupe de Villes. The gallery of wearable art displays over 60 designer garments ranging from handmade costumes, flamboyant masks, and extravagant headwear, many of which were showcased at the 2019 World of WearableArt Exhibition. The museum has a casual café serving light food and drinks, and a retail store.

Cadillac Way, Annesbrook, New Zealand, Phone: +64-35-47-45-73

Spanning six acres on the corner of Clover and Patons Road in Hope, Richmond, the Gardens of the World is an award-winning arboretum that features rare and exotic plants from around the globe. The gardens are designed and laid in zones, each of which represents a different continent or style of gardening, such as an African garden with aloes, an English garden featuring roses, and a Japanese garden with cherry trees. The garden is also home to the Pohutukawa tree, also known as New Zealand’s Christmas tree. The gardens host a variety of celebrations and special events like birthday picnics and garden weddings.

95 Clover Road, Hope, New Zealand, Phone: +64-35-42-37-36

Natureland Wildlife Trust is a non-profit, community-based conservation organization that protects and preserves a range of wild animals that are under threat. The reserve is home to a wealth of animals including primates, meerkats, porcupines, Nelson-Tasman native species, heritage breeds, and farm animals. The organization operates several educational programs for children of all ages, such as the Keeper Kids Program which allows kids to get up close to many of the resident animals, learn more about conservation of animals and the environment, and help to build a richer community. Natureland Wildlife Trust also runs a Breed-for-Release program for the rare South Island kaka and yellow crown kakariki.

Tahunanui Drive, Tahunanui Nelson, Nelson, 7011, New Zealand, Phone: +64-35-48-61-66

The Miyazu Garden is a tranquil, Japanese-inspired park that offers a peaceful haven in which to escape and enjoy a quiet stroll or moment of contemplation. The garden features calming elements throughout such as reflective ponds, babbling brooks, trickling bamboo spouts, and small ponds, as well as pretty bridges, blossoming cherry trees, a beautiful rock garden, and a quaint tea house. Notable features in the garden include a weathered 30-year-old bonsai tree known as Jim's Pine; Crane and Tortoise Islands in the Raupo Pond; an abstract Yen garden; and a stone basin for the traditional cleaning ritual done before entering the tea house.

The Wood, Nelson 7010, New Zealand

Tahunanui Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach on the shores of Tasman Bay on the northern edge of a peninsula that is perfect for outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding, and sunbathing. Nicknamed the ‘Gem by the Sea’, Tahunanui Beach is ideal for families with young children as the sea is flat and calm, and the beach is lined with casual cafés, restaurants, and beach bars that serve a variety of food and drinks all day.

Nelson, 7001, New Zealand

The Abel Tasman National Park Coast Track is a 37-mile-long walking track in the Abel Tasman National Park that extends from Marahau to Wainui. The coastal track offers unparalleled scenery of the spectacular landscapes of the South Island, including lush forests, the rugged coastline, tumultuous seas, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. The main trail has many sidetracks and viewpoints along the way and takes about three to five days to complete.

Upper Moutere, Nelson, New Zealand, Phone: +64-35-28-40-44

Where to Eat

The Urban Oyster Bar and Eatery is a sophisticated bar helmed by a Michelin-trained chef Matt Bouterey that serves fresh and inventive cuisine, local craft beers, and an excellent selection of local and global wines by the glass. The restaurant has a warm and welcoming vibe and aims to make every customer feel like they are part of the family as soon as they enter. A seasonally changing menu features made-from-scratch dishes prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, such as fresh seafood, prime steaks, organic salads and vegetables, and handmade desserts. The Urban Oyster Bar and Eatery is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday.

278 Hardy Street, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand, Phone: +64-35-46-78-61