Nelson

Regularly boasting more sunshine hours than any other area in New Zealand and with the mountains, beaches, and native forests of the Nelson Lakes, Abel Tasman, and Kahurangi National Parks, Nelson holidays stand out as a centre for outdoor activities and boasts a network of tramping, and biking tracks.

Nelson City and Richmond, the main town of Tasman province, are both excellent shopping centres that are a pleasure to browse and can be enjoyed as a day out in themselves. Interspersed with these are many restaurants and cafes open for breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals.

While self-drive is the most popular mode of travel for visitors to this region, you can also fly into Nelson on a range of airlines or catch a ferry from Wellington and then connect with coach service. The Nelson Tasman region is accessible by road from Christchurch via the Lewis Park. A worthwhile detour from this route will take you through the alpine village of St Arnaud at the edge of Nelson Lakes National Park. An alternative route from Christchurch brings you up the east coast through Kaikoura and Marlborough regions. A short drive over the Whangamoa Ranges links Nelson with Picton in the Marlborough Sounds – where passenger ferries including the Interislander arrive from the North Island. Nelson is fortunate to have six airlines servicing the region. Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Kiiw Regional Airlines, Originair, Sounds Air and air2there. Regular Cook Strait ferries provide vehicle and passenger access between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.    

The forecast is good: Marlborough and Nelson soak up some of New Zealand’s sunniest weather, with January and February the warmest months when daytime temperatures average 22°C. July is the coldest, averaging 12°C.

However, the top of the South sees some wonderful winter weather, with frosty mornings often giving way to sparklingly clear skies and T-shirt temperatures. The rumours are true: it is wetter and more windswept the closer you get to the West Coast. From around Christmas to mid-February, the top of the South teems with Kiwi holidaymakers, so plan ahead during this time and be prepared to jostle for position with a load of jandal-wearing families.