NelsonSights

Sights in Nelson

  1. 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.

    reviewed

  2. A

    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.

    reviewed

  3. B

    Nelson Provincial Museum

    The Nelson Provincial Museum is one of Nelson’s showpieces. The modern space is filled with cultural heritage and natural history exhibits with a regional bias, and there’s a great rooftop garden. Charges may apply for major exhibits.

    reviewed

  4. Miyazu Japanese Garden

    Just down the road from Founders Park is serene Miyazu Japanese Garden, full of sculptures, lanterns and ducks on placid ponds. Sit for a while and ponder something profound.

    reviewed

  5. C

    Suter

    Adjacent to Queen’s Gardens, the Suter is Nelson’s bastion of high art, with changing exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, films, a craft shop and cafe.

    reviewed

  6. Botanical Reserve

    Walking tracks in Nelson’s Botanical Reserve ascend Botanical Hill, where a spire proclaims it NZ’s geographical centre. NZ’s first-ever rugby match was played at the foot of the hill on 14 May 1870: Nelson Rugby Club trounced the lily-livered pansies from Nelson College 2-0.

    reviewed

  7. D

    Jens Hansen

    Gold and silversmith workshop producing contemporary jewellery (including the accursed ring for the Lord of the Rings movies).

    reviewed

  8. E

    Refinery Artspace

    Frequently changing local exhibitions, retail art and workshops.

    reviewed

  9. F

    South St Gallery

    An extensive collection of kooky, classy and colourful pottery.

    reviewed

  10. G

    Rutherford Gallery

    Contemporary paintings by local and national brush-strokers.

    reviewed

  11. Advertisement

  12. H

    Höglund Art Glass Gallery

    Original, hand-blown glass, inside the Rutherford Hotel.

    reviewed

  13. I

    Flamedaisy Glass Design

    Boutique glass-blowing studio.

    reviewed

  14. J

    South Street Workers' Cottages

    Just west of the Christ Church Cathedral, South Street contains a row of improbably quaint workers’ cottages, built between 1863 and 1867: those in the know say it’s the oldest fully intact street in NZ. Some cottages are available as accommodation.

    reviewed