Tours, trips and activities in Nelson

It's time to discover the extraordinary, vibrant region of Nelson where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape

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The oldest city on New Zealand's South Island, Nelson is renowned for its beautiful natural landscapes, with diverse geography capturing everything from long golden beaches to untouched forests and rugged mountains.

A much-loved location for creatives and nature-lovers alike, Nelson offers an incredible variety of things to see, do and explore.

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We've narrowed down a list of the best things to check out while in Nelson, so that you can start planning your next adventure - today!

Abel Tasman National Park

Accessible by walking, cruising or kayaking, the Abel Tasman National Park is one of New Zealand's most beautiful natural wonders - despite being the smallest national park in the country!

Perfectly formed for relaxation and adventure, Abel Tasman National Park is situated near the top of the South Island and includes sheltered bays perfect for sailing and sea kayaking, while back on land, the Abel Tasman Great Walk follows the coastline through native bush alongside limestone cliffs and along golden beaches.

This 4 Day Abel Tasman Getaway offers an incredible opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park as you enjoy kayaking, sailing, swimming and more. Perfect for 18 to 35-year-olds, on this tour you can enjoy a day trip to Wharariki Beach, hop on board a private sailing trip around the bays, visit the iconic Split Apple Rock, explore lagoons, islands and Maori Pa (village) sites to learn about local history and enjoy the luxury of having all accommodation and meals looked after!

Relax with some local refreshments

Exploring can be thirsty work, but Nelson has something to cheers to! Thanks to the region's perfect growing conditions, this is New Zealand's home of hops, and also features the South Island’s first commercial winery. Named the Top Cider City in the world by National Geographic, spend a day exploring and sampling your way through the region.

Nelson Lakes National Park

A known hub for outdoors activities, Nelson is luck enough to have three national parks right on its doorstep. Located only an hour and a half from Nelson, Nelson Lakes features deep blue lakes set against golden alpine hills and dense beech forest. Take a dip in Lake Rotoiti, go for a short walk along the lake front, or even spend a night or two here!

Jump on a quad bike and get exploring

The perfect combination of excitement and unforgettable adventure, take a quad bike tour through various native forest settings on the Bayview Circuit or Farm Forest Ride.

The Bayview Circuit is one of the most popular options, letting visitors explore over 14km of beautiful forest trails. Ride out to the stunning Bayview lookout which overlooks Delaware Bay before descending back through the farm. With almost 400 hectares of native forest, including massive Matai, Totara and Kahikatea, some of which are estimated to be over 2,000 years old, as well as almost every species of native NZ trees that are found naturally in the South Island, this is a great day out when in Nelson.

The Farm Forest option has been designed to suit all abilities. It follows the forest trails up to the Skywire before descending back to the farm and a trip around the flats, taking approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes all up. A wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature, while still enjoying some gentle thrills, this one is perfect for the whole family.

Discover local art

Home to one of the largest number of working artists and galleries in New Zealand, Nelson is known and loved by painters, sculptors, glass-blowers, jewelers, writers and creators, who all flock to the region for inspiration. While here, visit a local market, gallery or studio and get to know the artists behind these beautiful creations.

Skywire

One of the world's longest flying fox rides is set in the heart of Nelson. This one-of-a-kind experience is a shot of adrenaline mixed with an amazing scenic ride high above the forest canopy. This Skyline Experience includes a 4km ride in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, passing through the pristine native forest while experienced guides entertain you with facts about the park’s diverse native environment, cultural aspects and fun stories.

Featuring incredible views of Cable and Delaware Bays, the western ranges and north towards D’urville Island, on a clear day, you can even see the snow-capped peak of Mount Taranaki!

Reaching speeds of up to 100km/h, followed by 600m at a more leisurely pace, this experience is ideal for taking in the incredible scenery of Nelson.

Keen to experience more of this South Island beauty? Book your Nelson tour or activity today and save!