Image courtesy Nelson Tasman Tourism.

Nelson itineraries

Over the years one of the major comments from guests is: "if only we had known there was this much to see and do in Nelson,we would have planned to stay longer."

To this end we have given you an idea of what to do for a 3 night/2 day stay in Nelson. Nelson makes a great 'base' in which to enjoy the whole Nelson/Tasman district.

Check out this video for a great overview of the Nelson region:

Most guests arrive either from the North or South after spending most of the day driving to get here and arrive around 4:00pm, so here is what we suggest:

Image courtesy Nelson Tasman Tourism.

Arrival. settle in, have a cup of tea or coffee and then take the 20 minute walk up to the Geographical centre of New Zealand(directly in front of the inn) for one of the best 360 degree views of the Nelson area, or you may want to take the short drive to our local beach and have a swim in the sea. Come back to the inn, relax with a glass of wine, make arrangements for dinner, Hopgoods www.hopgoods.co.nz is our favourite (reservations essential) or order a gourmet antipasto platter and a bottle of house wine and relax in your own private deck/sunroom, or the Brookside garden.

Day 1 Drive to Abel Tasman National Park, Kaiteriteri, and take the 10:30 Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle www.abeltasmanseashuttles.co.nz (bookings can be made here at the inn) for an hour ride up the coast to Bark Bay. Disembark here, and take the 7.5 kms leisurely walk to Torrent Bay, where you can picnic, swim and wait for the return of the boat and back to Kaiterteri. An alternative is to take an earlier boat and do some sea kayaking along the beautiful coast. For this we recommend either the 'sea shuttle co. or Wilsons Abel Tasman www.AbelTasman.co.nz

Picnic at Mapua - Image courtesy Nelson Tasman Tourism.

Day 2 Discover Nelson, art galleries, artists studios, garden walks, historic house walk, and of course some retail therapy. Hop into your car and take the 30 min. drive to the little seaside village of Mapua, here visit a few studios and pick up some 'smoked fish' from the Smokehouse, a fresh bun and a lemon tart from the Naked Bun, and now take the back route to Neudorf Vineyards www.neudorf.co.nz , one of the top wineries in New Zealand, have a tasting, and have your picnic lunch in their vineyard garden. From here travel a few kms to the studios of Katie Gold and Owen Bartlett, 2 of Nelson's best know potters, a few kms down the road have a small tasting at either Kahurangi Estate vineyard or at Waimea Winery, Nelson's second largest winery. On your way back into Nelson stop at the World of Wearable Art & Collectable Car Complex, it is NOT to be missed. www.wowcars.co.nz

For those who have more time, there is golfing, sailing, horse trekking, skydiving, 4WD adventures, wellness and spa treatments,sea and river fishing, bush walks,biking trails, and of course, every Saturday morning is one of New Zealand's best markets, only a 5 minute walk from the inn.