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New Zealand > Nelson & Westland
Introduction:
The Nelson and Westland districts comprise the north and west of New
Zealand's South Island. The region is geographically isolated from
the rest of New Zealand. Nelson, Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika
are the major towns with a good range of accommodation and services.
The region provides access to six national parks and wilderness
areas. As such much of the recreation is centered around outdoor
activities including trekking, climbing, caving, swimming, kayaking,
hiking fishing and hunting. While there are cimema's and TV, evening
entertainment often centers around the local bars, or you create
your own.
 Nelson is a great destination for
tourists. At the top of the South Island, it is
nestled between the hills, bathed in sunshine, with
access to lush national parks and amazing beaches.
Nelson is regarded as a centre of arts, with plenty
of craft shops to visit. It is also a region where
nature is at your fingertips, home to one of New
Zealand’s famous tramps, the Heaphy track, but
also with plenty of other activities such as kayaking
to enjoy.
For those wishing
to explore the arts and crafts side of Nelson, the
first stop would have to be Hoglunds glass, just out
of Richmond, where you can watch the glass blowing
artists at work, creating amazing pieces that sell
all around the world. There are also numerous pottery
shops, garden centres and art galleries. One
essential place to visit would be the Wearable Arts
Museum in Stoke. The Wearable Arts Awards are held
every year in Nelson, an internationally renowned
visual extravaganza, mixing art and fashion into a
fantastic show. If you are lucky enough to be in town
when the Awards are on, do try to obtain a ticket,
although this may be difficult as they sell out very
rapidly! The Museum showcases the best costumes of
past years, allowing people to view them close-up. It
also houses a collection of restored vintage cars, as
the Museum is in part of the old Honda manufacturing
plant! For those who wish to create their own works
of art, wander into the Bead Gallery just out of the
city, an old house converted into a shop that sells
jewellery and beads, where people can create their
own jewellery. The Bead Gallery houses the greatest
selection of beads in the country and is an ideal
place to create personalised gifts.
 The Nelson area is
home to many beautiful beaches, including Kaiteriteri
beach, a popular holiday destination for South
Islanders and tourists alike. From Kaiteriteri, you
can rent kayaks, go on day walks, or tramp on to
other parts of the upper South Island. There are many
excellent tramps around Nelson, from beginner to
advanced trails, from day walks to much longer ones
in Able Tasman and
Kahurangi National Parks.
Other activities
to enjoy in Nelson include visiting the weekend
markets, both in the city centre or out further at
Motueka. Here you can buy many homemade arts and
crafts, find a bargain, or simply have a hot coffee
and browse through the morning. Nelson is also home
to two small breweries, McCashin’s and
Founder’s. Both create organic beers with
natural ingredients, and offer tours around their
breweries, including tasting!
At night-time, the
place to be is Bridge Street, where most of
Nelson’s bars and clubs are to be found. The
Nelson area is also the home of New Zealand’s
biggest dance festival, The Gathering, which is held
over New Years near Takaka. The Gathering is a
five-day long party, with an amazing welcoming
atmosphere and good times to be had by all. For those
of a more adventuring mind, stay awhile at the Mapua
Leisure Camp, the first 'clothing optional' holiday
camp in New Zealand, and while in Mapua, don’t
forget to visit the wharf for the most delicious
fresh and smoked seafood.
 Time and Tide Luxury Holiday Home -
Less than an hours drive from Nelson city, this tastefully furnished home, has
been designed on a slightly elevated site with a large balcony where
you can sit with an alfresco breakfast to capture the breathtaking
uninterrupted views of mountains to sea with lush green vegetation
to golden sand, set in large tranquil landscaped gardens, with a two
minute walk to a swimming beach with golden sand and clear crystal
blue water
Drive Guide
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