The Nelson Region

Points of interest

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Nelson Region

Nelson is located at the geographical Centre of New Zealand - at the Northern end of the South Island.

It is a charming coastal town with a sheltered harbour and a famous white sand beach, Tahuna, which is safe for swimming Nelson boasts the most sunshine hours in the country, a fabulous climate for year round adventuring or relaxation.

The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is the gateway to 3 of New Zealand’s most beautiful National Parks - Abel Tasman National Park, the Kahurangi National Park, and the Nelson Lakes National Park.

Nelson is home to a large number of artists and winemakers and a gourmet selection of local seafood and produce which can all be sampled at the Nelson’s Saturday Market.

Nelson city was named after England’s Lord Nelson who defeated the French and Spanish fleets in 1805 in the Battle of Trafalgar. A number of local streets and sites are named after this historic Battle. Accents on the Park is located on Trafalgar Square.

Nelson's Maori name, Whakatu, means "a place to stand", literally meaning "home", and after two hundred years of European settlement Nelson is “home” to more than 2 dozen nationalities giving the city and region a vibrant and cosmopolitan feel.

What ever brings you to Nelson we are sure you will enjoy your stay and like many before you, find it hard to leave. When you do travel on, tell someone special that they should stop by and discover for themselves this sunny corner of New Zealand