What to do in Nelson, New Zealand | Recommendations from a Local Expert
Writing this post was an amazing walk back through memories. As soon as I knew I was going down to the top of the South Island, I knew I’d be writing a ‘what to do in Nelson’ style post BUT every inch of credit has to go to my friend Cesca. (We may have giggled as we explored the landscape at ‘influencers’ who visit somewhere once and then proclaim expertise…)
An English rose that fell in love with a Kiwi and ended up moving to New Zealand, she’s settled there with her family and when she offered her spare room to me, I absolutely couldn’t believe my luck.
As a fellow travel addict who loves adventuring as much as me, before I arrived she messaged me asking what I fancied doing, and honestly I just panicked with how beautiful everything was, answering with just “ummm, everything?” Sadly with only 3.5 or so days to spend, we had to consider the highlights – and what highlights they were!
Hire a Car
Trust me. The best way to explore Nelson and the bounteous Marlborough landscape is with a set of good wheels.
Visit the Marlborough Wineries
Honestly, you’re spoilt for choice; there are so very many amazing wineries taking full advantage of the fertile soil that there’s a printed wine map. We popped into Oyster Bay for a lunch with a glass or two of their delicious vintages (me, sadly Cesca had to drive – a true mate) and left promising to came back one day and explore all the vineyards far more thoroughly. Lunch was a half dozen Okiwi Bay oysters (from a few kms away) and a cheeseboard featuring local fromagerie which was just scrumptious in the summer sunshine.
Shop & Dine in Mapua
So my Uncle lived in Nelson for a few years, and when he found out I was visiting, he insisted that I fit a visit to Mapua in – and he was so right. It’s a lovely enclave with several restaurants and several really cool shops filled with Kiwiana and local crafts. Top tip: at the time of writing, the Rimu Wine Bar & Bottle Shop lets you bring over fish & chips from the Smokehouse Cafe, and both are scrumptious.
Explore the Marlborough Sounds
The Queen Charlotte Scenic Drive was glorious; tiny winding corners with jaw-dropping reveals of azure bays hugged by forested peaks. There are a few camping grounds which would be great for a family vacation, private houses you can book (some accessible only by boat) and places to swim galore. Love walking? Between the smaller sounds of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru, the 70km Queen Charlotte Walking Track takes in coastal forest, coves and inlets, and skyline ridges.
Get up in the Middle of the Night & Look at the Sky
I’m not crazy – but even if you’re staying just outside of town, look up at the stars. The sky was so clear and utterly gorgeous. I even saw a shooting star both nights, what are the odds? Cesca and her husband have even seen the Aurora Australis whilst camping a hour or so’s drive from Nelson.
Swim at Lake Rotoiti (Kerr Bay)
Honestly, it was just delicious – see the first image of this post for the full glory of this lake.
Visit the Golden Sand Beaches of Kaiteriteri
Don’t leave your togs (swimsuit) at home, the water is delicious. The main beach with more facilities & shops was busy, so we popped around to Little Kaiteriteri and found ourselves a spot in the sand. Fun fact: Nelson often has the highest temperatures in New Zealand year round.
On our way home we stopped for a delicious real fruit ice cream at Thomas Brothers Cherry And Real Fruit Ice Cream Stall in Riwaka – it’s at the edge of orchards and across the road from a craft ale place that looked great.
Explore Nelson’s Town Centre
I brunched (at DeVille’s, recommended by a few people), I wandered, I enjoyed the art, dimbled along the waterfront, I discovered a place that sold Choc Bar’s – an ice cream bar/ice lolly from my childhood, I enjoyed the pastel sunset, I probably didn’t explore the city to the full, but what I did see was really cool.
This [doctored] sign was hilarious.
Wendelton Guinea Pig Village
That’s not a typo. Wendelton is a tiny village where the Eyebright guinea pigs live. Among miniature houses and businesses, they scamper about the verdant pastures. There’s a school, a castle, a beauty salon and the all-important maternity unit. Wandering around the perimeter you will encounter plaques about the many buildings – the guinea pigs love having visitors and come rushing out when you arrive. The story woven by the guy who founded is pure genius – and there’s a gift shop well worth wandering through. (There a wineries nearby as well for post-visit libations.)
Honestly, it was just a magical part of New Zealand.
Want to know what to do in Nelson? Use this list as a diving board. It was awesome.
Have you been to New Zealand?
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