Nelson City

"Dishing up a winning combination of great weather, beautiful surroundings, popular arts events, and a high number of charming wooden houses."

There are many colonial buildings in Nelson that reflect the city's rich pioneering history - Bishopdale, home to the Bishop of Nelson since 1868, Isel House, Broadgreen, Fairfield, Melrose, and the Cathedral on Church Hill to name a few.

Nelson is renowned for it's 350 or more working artists, where you can buy direct from the artists themselves. Stroll the many arts and craft galleries. A must do is a visit to the Art & Craft Markets which are held in Montgomery Square Car Park every Saturday morning a great place to experience the creativity and vibrancy that Nelson has to offer.  The markets start early and go through till about 2pm, numerous local artists as well local Fruit and Vegetable growers can all be found in one place.  A great place to find those take home gifts.

Nelson even boasts itself as having the Goldsmith who created 'The One Ring' for "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, Many local Nelson artisans worked on props for the three movies. These include jewellery, pottery, steelwork, carvings, garment dying, glassworks and costumes. Even the beer for the Prancing Pony in Bree was brewed by Harrington's in Nelson. Filming for Chetwood Forests, Rivendell & Dimrill Dale were also filmed in remote locations around the Nelson Region.

Takaka Hill, was the filming site for Chetwood Forest. Here Aragorn led the hobbits into the rough country east of Bree in an attempt to escape the Black Riders. You'll need to catch a helicopter to see where the fellowship hid from Saruman's black crows. You can also ask the pilot to show you Mount Olympus and Boulder Lake these are the sites of  Dimrill Dale where The Fellowship hide from the crebain, Saruman's black crows and also Mount Owen where the Fellowship, now without Gandalf, escape Moria.

More recently Nelson is being shaped as part of Middle Earth in Peter Jacksons new film 'The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey'. Filming will be taking place in and around Nelson - the top of the Takaka Hill, northwestern Golden Bay and the Pelorus River area are set to become Hobbit country. 

At the top of the main street (Trafalgar) you will find the Nelson Cathedral.  Building started in 1925, The majority of marble used in its construction was sourced from the Pakikiruna Range, near Takaka. The cathedral is open to the public and boasts a magnificient pipe organ and colourful stained glass windows.

Nelson cities streets are lined with boutique shops and outdoor cafes, great for a stroll and a coffee on a sunny day. 

Nelson city also offers many short walking tracks, these include the Maitai River Valley, Rocks Road and the geographical "Centre of New Zealand" which allegedly lies in Nelson; on a hilltop near the centre of the city, an easy stroll takes you up to the lookout for some great views. As you walk towards the Centre of NZ pop into the Queens Gardens this is a beautiful example of a classical Victorian ornamental park. 

Founders Heritage Park is a fun day out for the families, where you can experience Nelson's past and present.  A two minute drive from the Nelson CBD.  Stroll around a village of historic buildings 1880 - 1930s and experience early Nelson's heritage.  Enjoy established gardens, playground and picnic ares or take a summertime ride on the old train and watch many of the local artists working in there studios on the grounds..

Nelson also is the largest fishing port in Australiasia, catering for fishing vessels that range from small local inshore boats to large factory trawlers. So succulent seafood is always on the menu.