Things to do in Nelson Region
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Shoreline
A spiffy, modern cafe-bar-restaurant right on the beach. Punters chill on the sunny deck, lingering over panini, pizzas, pasta or fresh fish, but you can also just pop in for coffee and a jumbo muffin. Erratic winter hours; take-away booth out the back.
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Neudorf
Moss-covered barnlike complex; gorgeous pinot noir and some of the country’s finest chardonnay.
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Indian Café
This open-plan, saffron-coloured Edwardian villa houses an Indian restaurant that keeps the bhaji raised with impressive interpretations of Anglo-Indian standards, such as chicken tandoori, rogan josh and beef madras. Share the mixed platter to start, then mop up your mains with one of 10 different breads.
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Gecko Theatre
When the weather closes in, pull up an easy chair at this wee, independent theatre for interesting art-house flicks. Cheap tickets ($9) are available on Mondays and Tuesdays.
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Toad Hall
Locally grown fruit, organic veggies, frozen yoghurt and ice cream.
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Founders Heritage Park
Founders Heritage Park, near the waterfront 1km from the city centre, houses a replica historic village with a bakery, chocolatier, museums, and more importantly Founders Brewery & Café, NZ’s first certified organic brewery. Take a tour, or sip the finished product over a cafe lunch: Tall Blonde, Red Head, Long Black, Generation Ale and Fair Maiden brews. If you’re only visiting the brewery there’s no admission charge to the park. Also on-site is a weekly farmers market.
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Hot Mama's Cafe
Hot Mama's Cafe This breezy, open-fronted food room is the funkiest café in town, and the best spot to down a few local lagers to boot. Repair last night's damage with a Hangover Brekkie (eggs, bacon, spicy sausage etc), or close out the day with a Hardcore Prawn or Bombay Chicken pizza before adjourning to the bar, hip lounge area or balmy courtyard. Plenty of laughter; excellent wine list; live bands, jam nights and DJs on summer weekends.
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Double Decker Experience
The Double Decker Experience is a handy way to get around and see the sights too. The bus departs the Suburban Bus Lines/InterCity depot twice daily and loops in and around Nelson, passing (among other sights) Founders Park, Isel Park, the World of WearableArt Museum, Tahunanui Beach and Nelson's waterfront. Stay onboard for an entire circuit, or get off at an attraction on the morning loop, then jump back on the afternoon service.
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Christ Church Cathedral
The enduring symbol of Nelson is the art-deco Christ Church Cathedral, lording over the city from the top of Trafalgar St. Work began in 1925 but was delayed, and arguments raged in the 1950s over whether the design should adhere to original plans or embrace modern trends. The architectural hybrid was finally completed in 1965 and consecrated in 1972, 47 years after the foundation stone hit the dirt.
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Happy Valley Adventures
Strap yourself onto a ‘skywire’ and soar through the air at Happy Valley Adventures, a 15-minute drive north-east along SH6. The 1.65km-long Skywire (a chairlift/flying-fox hybrid) dangles you up to 150m above the native forest; rides cost $85/55 per adult/child. Quad-bike tours start at $80/20 per driver/passenger for one-hour forest rides, and 2½-hour horse treks cost $95.
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Lambretta’s
Feeding what seems like half of Nelson, Lambretta’s is a continually busy diner-style joint with ample seating inside and out. Family friendly, the big-eatin’ offerings include breakfast, lunch and dinner (pizza, pasta, salad) and hearty counter food along the lines of humongous muffins, pies, filled croissants and sandwiches. Good coffee, too.
reviewed
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Jester House
A perennially popular highway stop, as much for its tame eels (which you can feed) as for the peaceful sculpture gardens that encourage you to linger over lunch. A short, simple menu puts a few twists into the staples (wild pork burger, lavender shortbread), and there’s Mussel Inn beers and local wine. It’s 8km to Mapua or Motueka.
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Mapua Leisure Park
This is ‘NZ’s only clothes-optional leisure park’ but you don’t have to nude-up, and the buff option is only available from February to March. It’s a bit ragged around the edges, but the location and swimming are sweet, and there are tennis and volleyball courts, kayak hire, pool, sauna, spa and a waterfront cafe.
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Hopgood’s
Tongue-and-groove-lined Hopgood’s is perfect for a romantic dinner or holiday treat. The food is decadent and skilfully prepared but unfussy, allowing quality local ingredients to shine. The Asian crispy duck followed by pork belly with watercress and apple purée was a knockout. Desirable, predominantly Kiwi wine list.
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Vic
A commendable example of a Mac’s Brewbar, with trademark, quirky Kiwiana fit-out including a striped, knitted stag’s head. Quaff a few handles of ale, maybe grab a bite to eat (mains $13 to $30) and tap a toe to regular live music (Tuesday to Saturday). Good afternoon sun and people-watching from streetside seating.
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Park Café
Pretty much on the start of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, this breezy, licensed cafe is perfectly placed for fuelling up or restoring the waistline. High-calorie options include egg breakfast, fat cake, toasted sandwiches, nachos and pizza. Fine views and decent drinks make this a good spot for your sundowner.
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Chokdee
Chokdee is Siamese for ‘good luck’, but you shouldn’t need it at this reliable and homely Thai restaurant. Plenty of spicy and fragrant offerings including tom yum soup, technicolour curries and oodles of noodles and rice dishes. The $9 lunch specials are great value. Takeaways are available.
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Nelson Bonecarving
Artisic types will love Stephan’s bonecarving courses at Nelson Bonecarving. He’ll supply all materials, tools, instruction, encouragement and cups of tea (plus free pick-up/drop-off in town if needed); you supply inspiration and talent and you’ll emerge with your very own bone carving.
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Hooked on Marahau
This place has the natives hooked – dinner reservations are prudent. The art-bedecked interior (local stuff) opens onto an outdoor terrace with meal-distracting views. Lunch lurks around sandwiches and salads, while the dinner menu hauls up fresh fish of the day, green-lipped mussels and NZ lamb.
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Zippy's
Zippy's décor is a confronting combo of purple, teal and red, and service is zippy indeed. Strictly vegetarian food includes burritos, salads and the ‘locally famous' chocolate afghans. Drinks include ice-cream shakes, chai and heart-startlingly rich, full-flavoured coffee.
reviewed
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Sprig & Fern
The Sprig & Fern brewery in Richmond supplies an extensive range of beers to S&F pubs springing up around the region. Nearly 20 brews on tap, from lager through to doppelbock and berry cider. No pokies, no TV, just decent beer, food, occasional live music and a pleasant outdoor area.
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Skydive Abel Tasman
Take in eye-popping views on the way up (and pant-wetting views on the way down) on a tandem skydive with Skydive Abel Tasman . Prices include instruction and a certificate (DVDs and photos to show your mum cost extra); free pick-up/drop off from Motueka and Nelson.
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Stefano’s
Located upstairs in the State Cinema complex, Stefano’s wouldn’t win any awards for its decor. This Italian-run joint, however, does get top marks for traditional pizza – thin, crispy and delicious. Escape the movie-time madness and smell of popcorn on one of two balcony tables.
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Up the Garden Path
Perfect for lunch or a peppy coffee, this licensed cafe-gallery kicks back in an 1890s house amid idyllic gardens. Unleash the kids in the playroom and linger over your cheese platter, seafood chowder, laksa, pasta or lemon tart. Vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free options, too.
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Simply Indian
As the name suggests: no-nonsense curry in a no-frills setting. The food, however, is consistently good and relatively cheap. Expect the usual suspects such as tikka, tandoori, madras and vindaloo, and the ubiquitous naan prepared eight different ways. Takeaways are available.
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