The Nelson region, known for its all-year round sunshine, golden beaches and national parks, certainly is one of our favourites!

Nelson itself is a sunny, coastal town with plenty to offer. With white sandy beaches nearby and a thriving arts community, the laid-back lifestyle give this town a hippy feel. But if you’re after something a bit more upbeat, you won’t be disappointed – skydiving, kayaking, jet boating, paragliding and kite surfing are just some of the activities you can get your kicks from!

The Nelson region is home to three National Parks - Kahurangi National Park, Nelson Lakes National Park and the renowned Abel Tasman National Park – all offering some of the best tramping and kayaking opportunities in the country. The Abel Tasman National Park is particularly known for its glittering golden sandy beaches, sparkling turquoise water and spectacular ocean views. Pop it on your list right now!

Golden Bay is another breathtaking part of this region. The winding journey over Takaka Hill is an experience in itself. Takaka is the main township with a café culture and a mellow vibe while Collingwood is your gateway to Farewell Spit – a massive 26km sand dune in the sea noted for its gannet population and frequently stranded whales!

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO
	Experience the lush wilderness of the Abel Tasman National Park by foot or by kayak.
	Show off your white legs at Kaiteriteri beach, near Motueka. Beautiful sand and spectacular views. We just can’t get enough of it!
	Swim with seals in the Abel Tasman National Park – they’re friendly little fellas! Stay off the fish oil suntan lotion for the day, yeah?
	Get on the arts trail! Lots of potters, artists, weavers and fashion designers live in this region. So, get yourself a unique souvenir and support the arts!
	Take a road trip to Golden Bay only two hours from Nelson city. It’s an extraordinary drive over Takaka Hill aka the Marble Mountain. Take your camera for the spectacular views.
	Take a guided safari to Farewell Spit—a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance. You can walk on the base of the spit or take a 4WD safari along to the lighthouse.
	Feed your creativity at Nelson’s Wonderful World of Wearable Art – it’s awesome!!! Dresses made out of fish wire, old packaging and all sorts. For those keen on cars, there’s a collectable car museum there too.
	Enjoy the colour and fun of Nelson's Saturday market. Meet artists and craftspeople from the region. With all the money you’ve saved downloading songs and movies, you can afford to splash out and support real living artists!
	Pack a picnic and head to the Lakes. Lake Rotoiti and Lake Angelus are two stunning glacial lakes in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Rotoiti is hot for waterskiing and trout.
	Not had your nature fix yet? Check out the Kahurangi National Park with its 451,000 hectares of glaciated mountain ranges and rich native forest. Kahurangi means ‘treasured possession’ and with more than 100 bird species, native plants galore and caves, it’s aptly named. There are more than 570 kilometers of tracks in the park, the best known is the Heaphy Track.