Even though it’s technically a city, Nelson feels more like a small village with old-town charm. It’s usually sunny, super laid-back, and one of the closest places to Abel Tasman National Park, which makes it a great base for exploring the region. You’ll find Nelson in Tasman Bay, at the top of the South Island. Like most of Aotearoa, this part of the country is seriously beautiful. If you’re travelling the South Island, it’s well worth the stop.

Getting to Nelson

Nelson is around 2 hours from Picton, 5.5 hours from Christchurch, or 6 hours from Wellington (including the Cook Strait Ferry). It’s also home to a small but busy airport just 10 minutes from the town centre, with regular flights to and from most major New Zealand cities.

Can I see Nelson in one day?

There’s enough to do in Nelson to keep you busy for a couple of days, but one day is enough to get a taste of what the city offers. You’ll get to relax, indulge in the cafe culture, and see some of the sights before moving to places like Abel Tasman National Park and Marlborough Sounds.