Nelson, a coastal city on the northeastern tip of the South Island, is famous for its laid-back vibe, beautiful sunshine, and long golden beaches. It is one of the best towns to visit in New Zealand if you are looking for a nice, relaxing time away from all the other tourist hotspots.
Despite its laid-back nature, Nelson has quite a lot to offer in terms of interesting activities and things to do. Within this guide, I will highlight the 7 best things to do in Nelson, complete with all the information you need to have a great time here.
Without further ado, let's take a look at all the things you can do in Nelson on an itinerary map I made for you:
- Nelson Things To Do Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Nelson?
- 7 Best Things to Do in Nelson
- More Nelson Activities
- New Zealand Travel Video
- When to Visit Nelson?
- How to Get to Nelson?
- How to Get Around Nelson?
- How Many Days To Spend in Nelson?
- How Much Money Do I Need For Nelson?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
- What to Pack for Nelson, New Zealand?
- Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand
Nelson Things To Do Itinerary Map
7 Best Things to Do in Nelson
1. Take a stroll along the Maitai River
One of the first things you will realize when you arrive in Nelson is just how beautiful and green it is. The Maitai River runs through the city center, with lines of trees on both sides of the riverbank, creating this beautiful green space that you can stroll around in.
You won't feel like you are in a city when you walk along the Maitai River. On a hot sunny day, you can also go for a swim in one of the many watering holes along the river such as the Black Hole and Dennes Hole.
Where to Stay in Nelson?
2. Hike Up to the Center of New Zealand Monument
One of the highlights of my trip in Nelson is hiking to the Center of New Zealand Monument, a large needle sculpture built on top of Botanical Hill that marks the central point of New Zealand... or so I thought.
- Tasman Bay Backpackers (Budget)
- Admirals Motor Inn (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Trailways Hotel Nelson (High-End)
- Best Abel Tasman Day trip (6 hours)
- Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park (6 hours)
- Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park (7 hours 30 minutes)
You will be disappointed to know that this is, in fact, not the exact central point of New Zealand, but rather the center point used by the surveyors in the 1800s.
Despite my disappointment, I still did enjoy the view from the monument, which allowed me to see the sprawling city of Nelson from above, as well as its beautiful coastline and nature surrounding Botanical Hill.
The trail is an easy 45-minute hike that will take you through the forest at the foot of Botanical Hill and up to the top, where the trail breaks through the forest and rewards you with a stunning panoramic view of Nelson.
3. Walk Along the Tahunanui Beach
Recommended by my local friend, Tahunanui Beach, is one of the highlights my friend told me not to miss. Tahunanui Beach is a long and wide white sand beach that offers several opportunities for you to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunshine of Nelson.
The water at Tahunanui Beach is calm and warm, so you can spend a few hours swimming and sunbathing there. Nearby, you will also find Nelson Fun Park, as well as many great cafes and restaurants, where you can spend a much-needed laid-back day in New Zealand.
If you are looking to spend a nice, relaxing day in Nelson, Tahunanui Beach is the best place to be. You can also go for a little walk along the coastline to check out some stunning sights like the view of Tasman Bay and the Fifeshire Rock, etc.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Best Abel Tasman Day trip (6 hours)
- Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park (6 hours)
- Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park (7 hours 30 minutes)
4. Visit Nelson Provincial Museum
If you are interested in learning more about Nelson and its history as one of the oldest towns in the country, you can visit Nelson Provincial Museum, where you can spend hours learning about the region's fascinating history and identity.
Nelson Provincial Museum holds over 1.4 million items of interest collected during the past 160 years. The museum is divided into 2 sections: the lower gallery, where the permanent regional history exhibition is held, and the upper gallery, where short-term exhibitions are often held. You can check what exhibition is on from their official website.
Nelson Provincial Museum's opening hours are between 10 AM - 5 PM on weekdays, 10 AM to 4:30 PM on weekends and public holidays. The museum is closed on Good Friday and Christmas, and the admission fee is 5 NZD per person.
5. Check Out Christ Church Cathedral
One of the most prominent landmarks in Nelson, this 19th Century Christ Church Cathedral is a popular meeting point among young locals. Leading up to the cathedral, you will find a long granite staircase that goes up to the top of Church Hill, where the iconic 35m high bell tower is located.
Inside the cathedral, you will find some really interesting and colorful stained glass windows to see. Christ Church Cathedral's opening hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM every day.
6. Go Cafe-Hopping
There is something unique about the café culture here in Nelson that I couldn't quite grasp. Could it be because of how laid-back the people are here and the amount of sunshine you get that makes the café here so damn awesome?
I have no idea, but I know that the best way to see just how awesome the cafe culture is here is to go cafe-hopping. There are a ton of cozy cafes out there that have beautiful outdoor seating areas and serve delicious coffee and brunch, but the one I highly recommend is Deville.
Deville serves a variety of delicious breakfast and lunch with prices starting at 12 NZD to 21 NZD. They also serve coffee as well as wine. The place opens from 9 AM to 3 PM, so if you are looking for a place to hang out, this is the place to be.
There are also other cafes as well that serve those delicious Flat Whites that are hard not to drink every day, such as the East Street Cafe, Lambretta's Cafe Bar, The Baker's Coffee Shop, and more. So be sure to spend some time exploring the cafe culture here.
7. Explore the Nightlife in Nelson
If you are looking for a place to go to try some local craft beers at night before ending your day, I highly recommend you check out Sprig and Fern Bar. You will find plenty of craft beer to choose from, with a pint costing only 9 NZD.
They also serve food, which goes perfectly well with their craft beers. If you are there on the weekends, there will also be live music; otherwise, it is a good place to hang out with people and get to see what the nightlife scene is like in Nelson.
Sprigs and Fern opens from 11 AM to 12 AM on weekdays, 11 AM to 1 AM on Fridays, and 12 PM to 1 AM on weekends.
When to Visit Nelson?
The best time to visit Nelson is in the summer months beginning from November to March, when the weather is warmer, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors more. This is essential for a country as pretty as New Zealand.
It will also get quite touristy, so if you want to avoid the crowds, I would recommend you visit the shoulder season instead, which is from September to November and March to May.
You will see considerably fewer travelers during this time, while most accommodations will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than if you visit during the summer.
That said, Nelson is one of the sunniest spots in New Zealand, even in winter, so you might still be able to enjoy your time in Nelson outside the period I recommend above.
How to Get to Nelson?
In order to get to Nelson, you will have to make your way to either Christchurch or Auckland, two of the main travel hubs of New Zealand, where most international flights fly in and out of the country.
From the US, there are no direct flights to Auckland or Christchurch, so you will have to rely on transit flights from airlines like Qantas, which often transit in Fiji and take about 19 hours.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, or Singaporean Airlines. Once you reach their headquarters, you will then have to transit to get to Auckland. The flight will take over 24 hours, so gear up and prepare for a long ride.
From Asia, there are several airlines offering various routes from multiple hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong that will directly fly you to Auckland. Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines are excellent choices for traveling this route, with the fastest flight time being 9 hours.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend using Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Auckland to Nelson
By Air: Nelson has an airport where Air New Zealand often flies from Auckland 4 times a day. The journey should take around 1.5 hours and cost about 65 USD. You can book your flight here.
By Bus: You can also take a bus, but it will take more than a day, and you will have to do several transfers involving a ferry before you arrive in Nelson.
I would not recommend taking the bus if you are short on time, but if you are determined, you can catch the Intercity bus to Wellington, take the ferry to Picton, and continue taking another bus from Picton to Nelson.
Intercity Bus is one of the best ways to get around New Zealand at an affordable price. You can take the bus from Auckland to Wellington, which will take around 11 hours, so you will have to spend a night in Wellington.
The next day, catch the ferry to Picton, which will take around 3.5 hours, and continue by taking another Intercity bus at 1 PM from Picton to Nelson. You can book your Intercity Bus tickets here.
If you are planning to travel longer in New Zealand via buses, I recommend getting the Flexipass where you buy hours and can travel any route in the country depending on the bus's duration. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money.
For more information about Flexipass, please visit the official Intercity Flexipass page here.
Getting from Christchurch to Nelson
By Air: You can also fly from Christchurch to Nelson if you are already in the city. Air New Zealand flies this route 7 times a day, takes about 1 hour, and costs 46 USD. You can book your flight here.
By Bus: You can also take the Intercity bus, but you will have to transit in Blenheim, and the journey can take up to 8 hours and cost 112 NZD. Personally, I would just fly to Nelson as it is way faster and costs less.
How to Get Around Nelson?
By Walking: Like most New Zealand cities, Nelson is built to be explored on foot, and you can do just that with all the places I have listed here.
By Bus: If you are looking to explore the surrounding area a bit, you can also utilize the local bus that runs from Monday to Saturday. There are four main bus routes you can take, and you can check the bus schedule from their official website here.
By Car: You can rent a car directly from Nelson Airport to explore the area further. Renting a car will cost you around 175 USD per day in Nelson, and you can book one through here: Rent a Car in Nelson.
By Tours: You can also travel around Nelson with an organized tour, which will allow you to go further and visit more off-beat places without having to plan it yourself. Click the link below to book tours in Nelson.
How Many Days To Spend in Nelson?
With the number of things to do in Nelson, you can complete most of them in one day. However, to truly enjoy the laid-back vibe and the beautiful sunshine to the fullest, I recommend having an extra day to relax. Here is a rough 2-day (3 nights) itinerary for Nelson:
Day 1: Explore the attractions within the Nelson city center, visit Christ Church Cathedral and the Nelson Provincial Museum, hike to the Centre of New Zealand Monument, and enjoy a good night out at Sprig and Fern.
Day 2 (optional): Stroll along the Maitai River, go café hopping, and spend the rest of the day relaxing at Tahunanui Beach.
How Much Money Do I Need For Nelson?
With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending in Nelson. Here is a rough estimate of the entire Nelson itinerary budget:
Accommodation: For 3 nights in Nelson, you will be spending around 51 USD on accommodation.
Food: An average meal in Nelson costs around 10 USD, so you will be spending around 60 USD for 2 days' worth of food.
Transportation: You can walk to all the tourist attractions I listed here, so you will spend 0 USD on transportation.
Activities: You will only be paying 5 NZD (3.65 USD) for the admission fee of the Nelson Provincial Museum, and the rest is free.
Total Budget for Nelson: 157.12 NZD (114.65 USD).
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Nelson, New Zealand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Nelson, New Zealand:
Don't expect much from New Zealand's Wi-Fi. They are terribly outdated, with some cafes offering free 25 MB and 15-minute time-limited Wi-Fi to their customers. Yes, really!
For a more reliable internet connection, I would recommend that you get yourself a local SIM card, where you will be able to find a 4G connection in all the major cities around the country now.
Spark is a recommended carrier with the widest coverage throughout the country. You can purchase their prepaid SIM card package, "Data Lover", at the airport in Auckland, which is available in two price options: 20 NZD for 1 GB (+1 GB for social) and 40 NZD for 4.5 GB (+1 GB for social). Both packages are valid for one month.
With Spark, you can top up your data via stores around the country, or you can simply do it online with your credit card. Very easy and convenient.
For more information about SIM cards in New Zealand, visit: New Zealand's Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Nelson, New Zealand?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Nelson, New Zealand:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand
I've spent 5 weeks backpacking in New Zealand, and I have written a ton more about my journey traveling throughout New Zealand from the North Island to the South Island that might help in your trip planning.
Here's a selection of articles about New Zealand:
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for New Zealand? Check out One Month Itinerary for New Zealand.
- Don't have one month in New Zealand? How about spending two weeks visiting all the highlights of New Zealand on the South Island? Check out our 2 Weeks Itinerary for the South Island, New Zealand.
- Want to visit New Zealand but not sure what to pack? Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for New Zealand
- Planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are the 12 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand.
- New Zealand has a special place in my heart. It is one of the most memorable trips I have ever done, and here are 10 things I love about New Zealand.
- If you are planning to travel from North to South in New Zealand, Rotorua is a great place to start your journey from Auckland. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.
- Did you know that you can climb Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings in real life? Check out: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Tongariro Crossing.
- Planning to travel across Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island? Here's How to Get From Wellington to Picton.
- Did you know that you can do parts of New Zealand's Great Walks in one day? The Abel Tasman Track offers a wide range of hiking trails to choose from. Here's The Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to the Abel Tasman Track.
- Want to do a road trip along the Great Coast Road in New Zealand? Better start in Westport. Here are the 5 Best Things to Do in Westport, New Zealand.
- Want to go hiking on a glacier in the Glacier Country of New Zealand? Here is the Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Franz Josef.
- Wanaka is a must-visit lakeside town, full of incredible nature and wonderful mountains waiting for you to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Wanaka.
- Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and whatever extreme activities human bodies can endure, they probably have them in Queenstown. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.
- Queenstown is also one of the best places in the world to go skydiving. Here's my experience skydiving with NZONE in Queenstown.
- The Milford Sound is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand, and it would be a shame to miss it when you are in New Zealand. If you want to visit the Milford Sound, check out: A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound.
- One of the best Great Walks in New Zealand is the Routeburn Track, and if you have to pick one Great Walk to do, make it this one. Here’s The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track.
- Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook are some of the most photogenic places to visit in New Zealand, and it is best to do so together. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
- Dunedin has so much to offer for nature lovers. From the sight of the world's largest birds to the beautiful cliffs of Tunnel Beach, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dunedin.
- Not convinced by my words about New Zealand? Come follow me, and I'll show you New Zealand in 70 photos.
- You can see all my New Zealand travel guides and related articles on my New Zealand Travel Guide page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.