Nelson, New Zealand - The Kids Friendly NZ travel guide and information for your family

Nelson

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Nelson

Accommodation | Cafes | Beaches, parks and walks | Things to do | Skateboard Parks

If you think that Nelson gets more sunshine hours than Wellington you will not be surprised to learn, in spite of being in the South Island, that Nelson is actually slightly further north than Wellington in the North Island! With its warm weather and fertile plains it is not surprising to find that the Nelson and Marlborough districts were chosen as a wine growing region. A stop here should include a sampling of some of the fine wines that come out of this area.

There is so much to do in the Nelson region, from swimming, tramping and walking to just relaxing and enjoying the lifestyle that Nelson has to offer.

If you would like to go further afield from Nelson, try a drive, coachliner or shuttle from here to Greymouth on the west coast of the South Island. Head south and your first port of call is Havelock. Or should you choose to go north-east of Nelson you will arrive at Motueka, and then Takaka, which has a wonderful farm park, Bencarri Farm. Travel another 25 kilometres and you will reach Collingwood where you can get a great coffee.

Beaches, parks and walks

If your family loves adventure activities then the Nelson region won't disappoint you. There are three national parks in the region; Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi. These parks have amazing scenery, with mountains to climb, rivers for white water rafting and lakes for kayaking or just view it all from above as you plummet through the sky while tandem skydiving.

Rabbit Island

If you are looking for a great picnic area and a family day out then pack up a picnic lunch and head off to Rabbit Island, a favourite picnic spot for the locals. There are long sandy beaches, BBQ facilities and it's a great place for the children to run around and have fun.

Rabbit Island is a 15-minute drive from Nelson. Access to the island is by the bridge that crosses the estuary behind the island.

Founders Historic Park

A family day out to Founders Historic Park should be on your list of things to do in Nelson. The park is a ‘living’ museum and gives the children a glimpse of how we used to live. The park also has an adventure playground, café and a decommissioned DC10 on site.

Playgrounds around Nelson

The Botanical Reserve in Milton Street, Fairfield Park in Brougham Street and Kawai Street Reserve, Kawai Street, each has a playground.

The Lions Playground at Tahunanui Beach Reserve also has a skateboard ramp and some great picnic spots.

North Road Playground is in North Road. Other playgrounds can be found at Pioneer Park on Washington Road and Te Ata Place Reserve — also a good picnic spot.

Stoke

Aldinga Reserve has a playground and Manson Avenue Reserve has a good picnic spot and playground. Marsden Recreation Ground in Songer Street and Ngaio Street Reserve also have playgrounds.

Atawhai

Tresillian Avenue Reserve in Atawhai has a playground and is good for picnics as well.

Skateboard Areas

There are two skateboard parks — Skate Bowl at Paru Paru Road and Tahuna Skate Ramp at Tahunanui Beach Reserve.

Cafes and Wineries

Moutere Hills Winery
Eggers Road, Sunrise Valley, Upper Moutere, Nelson.
Ph: 03 543 2288
Email: i nfo@mouterehills.co.nz
Web: www.mouterehills.co.nz
Open from Oct thru to Easter. Come in and enjoy our relax atmosphere.... there's even a tractor and playhouse for the kids.
LIBRARIES
Elma Turner Library
27 Halifax Street.
Ph: 03 546 8100
Stoke Branch Library
Corner Putaitai Street and Neal Avenue.
Ph: 03 547 3451
Tahunanui
Nightingale Library Memorial
2 Beach Road, Nelson.
Ph: 03 546 3236

St Arnaud

St Arnaud is located on State Highway 63 on Lake Rotoiki. This small alpine village provides access to the Rainbow ski area. The area provides a range of outdoor activities with skiing being the main activity in winter. Other activities include walking and tramping, mountain biking and kayaking.

The Nelson Lakes National Park

Accommodation | Things to do

Situated in the Nelson Lakes National Park, which is just an hour’s drive from Nelson and Blenheim, are lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. These lakes were carved out by glaciers and the surrounding area has the most amazing, stunning alpine scenery which is great if your family is into boating, hiking and walking.

Get the children to walk across the Buller Gorge Swing Bridge, if they dare. It's 18m (60ft) above the Buller River and is the world’s longest swing bridge (110m long). To add to the excitement it's narrow, with wooden planks!

Older children and those young at heart might want to try the Comet Line. Other activities in the region include gold panning and guided walks.

Accommodation

There is a range of accommodation to suit most families. Full details of family accommodation will be available on this website shortly.

Things to do

There will be a range of family activities on this website shortly.

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Motueka

Motueka is the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay. In its hey day, Moteuka was the largest producer of beer and tobacco, but it no longer holds this record! Abel Tasman National Park is just a 20-minute car ride from Motueka.

If you are planning to visit over the summer season it is advisable to book your accommodation early, as this small town really comes to life during this time.

Abel Tasman National Park

The Abel Tasman National Park is a very accessible and popular tramping area and is the home of the Able Tasman Coastal Track. The walk is 51km and takes between three to five days to do. You can enjoy this track in many different ways — walking, catching one of the water taxis or kayaking. Really it's up to you how you enjoy this area!

If you are planning on walking the track then bookings are essential. But if you want to spend the day there, there are a couple of great walks.

Torrent Bay to Bark Bay

This is a two-and-a-half-hour walk and takes you along the stretch of coastline between Torrent Bay and Bark Bay. It is so stunningly beautiful that you just won't want to leave.

Tonga Island Marine Reserve

The reserve is further on from Bark Bay and is a full day trip, not really suitable for young or slow walkers, more because of the distance that you have to walk rather than its grade. If you do walk this part of the track be prepared to see the seal colony and dolphins. Tonga Island is actually a small Island out from the Onetahuti Beach.

Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi, Kaiteriteri and Marahu Wharfs
Freephone 0800 278 282 or +64 3 527 8383 www.aquataxi.co.nz

Abel Tasman Seal Swim, departs Kaiteriteri Beach
Freephone 0800 252 925 www.sealswim.com

Tasman Sky Adventures, Motueka Airport, off College Street, Motueka
Freephone 0800 114 386 www.skyadventures.co.nz

Touch the Sea, 8 Aranui Road, Mapua
Phone +64 3 540 3557 www.seatouchaquarium.co.nz

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Golden Bay

Accommodation | Things to do

Getting to Golden Bay means winding up and over the Takaka Hill from Motueka on State Highway 60 and you should expect it to take longer with children. It is well worth stopping at Takaka Hill near the summit, where you can visit the Ngarua Cave which has preserved moa bones in it. This is a guided tour only and fees apply.

Limestone caves are found throughout the area and Harwoods Hole is the most famous of these caves. We don't recommend you try and climb down the Harwood Hole as it is only suitable for experienced cavers, but it is definitely worth a stop on your way to Golden Bay. Harwood's Hole is the largest tomo in the southern hemisphere and is 400m deep and 70m wide. The vertical drop into the cave is 183m. It will take you 30 minutes to walk from the carpark to Harwood's Hole. The carpark is situated on Canaan Rod, off State Highway 60. Parents should watch children closely as there have been accidents where people have got too close to the lip of the hole. Only very experienced cavers should attempt to explore the cave itself.

The Waikoropupu (Pupu) fresh water springs can be found here and are known as one the clearest fresh water springs in the world. The track around the springs are suitable for children and the tracks are suitable for mountain buggies. Allow around thirty to forty minutes to visit the springs. There are toilets available at the car park.

Accommodation

There is a range of accommodation to suit most families. Click here to find out more information about family-friendly accommodation in this area.

Things to do

Farewell Spit Nature Tours, Old School Cafe, Puponga Road, Pakawau
Freephone 0800 250 500 or +64 3 524 8992 www.farewell-spit.co.nz

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