Making the most of Nelson
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Port Nelson is an easy 10 minute walk from the city centre and makes a useful starting point for exploring this lively region. Nelson regularly records New Zealand's highest annual sunshine hours, producing pleasant conditions year-round for its many cafés, restaurants, arts and outdoor experiences.
Nelson is New Zealand's second-oldest settled city and the South Island's oldest. The area, often known as Nelson Tasman or the Top of the South, lies slightly north of Wellington. With Richmond, its population is around 50,000, making it New Zealand's tenth-largest city by population and the country's geographical centre.
Miyazu Garden marks Nelson's connection with its Japanese sister city. Enter through the gate, built from old timber recycled from the port, and the surrounding street noise falls away into an enclosed calm. Reflecting pools, trickling bamboo spouts and gentle cascades create a serene atmosphere. A circuit from the entrance first reaches Dragon Pond, shaded by Jim's Pine, a weathered, windblown 30 year old bonsai.
Getting around
Nelson City is compact enough to walk around, though reaching the surrounding suburbs, sights and wider region will probably require a hire car, taxi or bicycle rental.
Bus timetables cover Nelson and the surrounding area.
Nearby places
For coastal scenery and sea views, the Abel Tasman Coast Track is hard to beat. One of New Zealand's Great Walks, it follows golden beaches and coastal forest with photographic opportunities throughout; take a swim at Onetahuti Beach. Nelson's rich collection of National Parks also includes spectacular Nelson Lakes National Park, with mountain ranges, remote lakes and an alpine pass. Choose short or long walks, or fish for trout at Lake Rotoroa.
Food and shopping
By hectare of vines planted, Nelson consistently collects more awards than New Zealand's other wine regions. It is an excellent choice for sauvignon blanc, reisling or pinot gris enthusiasts, and is also known for pinot noir.
Money
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar. Some traders, particularly in tourist areas, take foreign currency; the approximate conversion is US$1=NZD1.30.
Automatic teller machines (ATMs), known locally as the hole in the wall, can be found in almost every town.
Staying connected
New Zealand recognises English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language officially. Its universal English follows Commonwealth (“British”) spelling.
The New Zealand emergency telephone number is 111.
Nelson City Council provides free Wi-Fi on Trafalgar Street between Halifax Street and the Cathedral Steps, along with some surrounding streets.