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Activities & Itineraries

One of the most common things we hear from Guests is, “if only we had known what is available in the region, we would have stayed longer”. We suggest at least 3 days is needed to appreciate and experience a worthwhile portion of what is available in Nelson City and the Abel Tasman region of New Zealand.

Here is a sample of the region's major themes and activities:

Three National Parks:

Abel Tasman: Half day and multi-day hiking trips Sea kayaking Half day & multi day sailing trips Leisurely sightseeing cruises Swim with the seals Launch & Yacht Charters Sight-seeing from the air Sea fishing Combination trips
Nelson Lakes & Kahurangi: Fly fishing & hunting Hiking – easy and challenging walks for every level of experience White Water Rafting
Art & Culture Nelson region is home to: Many working Artists and Galleries. There are more than 350 working artists WOW - The world of Wearable Arts The vibrant culture of local Maori Nelson Saturday Market Suter Art Gallery Nelson School of Music Nelson Museum
Fine Food & Wine Wine: Nelson is New Zealand’s eighth largest wine growing region. Local vineyards concentrate on grape varieties better suited to cooler conditions, with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir being the most popular varieties grown. Tastings and cellar door sales are available at most Wineries – many also serve excellent food. Food: Nelson is the largest fishing port in Australasia and the surrounding countryside is rich in farming and horticultural traditions. There are many excellent restaurants that specialise in dishes featuring fresh local produce.
Wellness & Relaxation Nelson's life-style and sun not only attracts those interested in the arts and outdoors, but has drawn a number of skilled "Wellness & Relaxation" practitioners from all over New Zealand and the world. You will find everything from practical ‘self-help’ health management, to luxurious body pampering. The region offers a wide variety of treatments and services in contemporary spas, studios, workshops and classes. These include; relaxation and rejuvenation, yoga, tai chi, martial arts, complementary and alternative medicine, fasting, cleansing, slow food and healthy cooking.

While compact, Nelson City and the Abel Tasman region offers an amazing variety of scenery and activities, from the gentle, refined and re-freshing, through to adventure options that will get get your blood pumping.

To help you plan your visit, there are links above to a number of themed 3 day itineraries. Naturally, if your tastes and interests are broader, you can mix and match these itinerary suggestions and choose options that will give you the Nelson experience you are looking for. Mixing and and matching will also allow you to design an itinerary for shorter or longer stays in the region. Shelbourne Villa is a great base for all of the sample inineraries, in which we have endeavoured to ensure the maximum drive time in each direction is little more than an hour - most are less.

We can recommend and book day trips, tours and other activities to suit you and your interests. Where-ever your passions lie, be it the great outdoors, the finer things in life, or simply time out to refresh body and soul, Nelson has plenty to offer. Email us if you need help to plan your stay in the Nelson Tasman region.

Photographs on this page and in the itineraries which follow, are courtesy of Nelson Tasman Tourism.

“Escape to Nelson - experience comfort, convenience and quality.”