Tahunanui Beach

Nelson


Nelson's primo playground takes the form of a long sandy beach (with lifeguards in summer) backed by dunes and a large grassy park with a playground, an espresso cart, a hydroslide, go-karts, a roller-skating rink and a model railway.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Nelson attractions

1. Nelson Classic Car Museum

1.36 MILES

Nelson is the birthplace of NZ's most eccentric fashion show, the annual World of WearableArt Awards (now staged in Wellington). You can see a selection…

2. Christ Church Cathedral

2.01 MILES

The enduring symbol of Nelson, Christ Church lords it over the city from the top of Pikimai/Church Hill. It's an unusual mix of Gothic and art-deco style,…

3. Nelson Provincial Museum

2.03 MILES

This modern museum is filled with a jumble of cultural heritage and natural history exhibits with a strong regional focus, including an almost Easter…

4. Suter Art Gallery

2.36 MILES

Redeveloped in 2016 with a series of contemporary, light-filled exhibition spaces, Nelson’s public art gallery presents changing exhibitions from a…

5. Queen's Gardens

2.39 MILES

Immerse yourself in botanical history in this ornamental garden, founded in 1887 to commemorate the 50th jubilee of Queen Victoria's coronation. It's set…

6. Botanical Reserve

2.69 MILES

Walking tracks through this 12-hectare reserve ascend Botanical Hill, where a spire proclaims the Centre of New Zealand. The actual centre is 55km…

7. McCashin’s Brewery

2.91 MILES

McCashin’s was a forerunner of the craft brewing craze in NZ, which started way back in the 1980s. Visit the historic Rochdale Cider building in Stoke …

8. Founders Heritage Park

2.98 MILES

A collection of heritage buildings has been relocated to this site, 2km northeast of the city centre, creating a Victorian-era village complete with a…