Our region is highly renowned for its vibrant art scene.
Boasting a wealth of shops, galleries, and intriguing independent stores where you can admire (and buy) artisan products, you will fall in love with Nelson Tasman's art scene. Get up close and personal with our local artisans.
Jens Hansen has been crafting distinctive hand-forged jewellery since 1960.
Famously, Jens Hansen is the creator of The One Ring™ for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings™ and The Hobbit™ movie trilogies. Visit one of Nelson’s most established and internationally acclaimed artisan jewellery workshops.
The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū is the public art gallery for the Nelson Tasman region.
Located beside the Queens Gardens on the edge of downtown Nelson, The Suter Art Gallery is one of the oldest galleries in New Zealand, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century.
Don’t just look at the art in galleries. Get up close and personal with the actual creators with Wine, Art & Wilderness.
There are so many galleries, each with its style or niche, so whatever your specific interest is, it will be catered for. A food and wine component can be blended with this tour.
The Nelson Market is recognised throughout New Zealand and the world for its fine produce and quality artistry.
Every Saturday morning for over 40 years, The Nelson Market has welcomed visitors to discover a unique creative showcase. Shop for fresh produce or gourmet foods and share brunch under the warm Nelson sun.
Hot Clay on Nelson’s Hardy Street is a brick-and-mortar ceramic studio and gallery. The studio showcases New Zealand-made ceramics and displays a selection of painting, printmaking and photography exhibits, plus offers workshops.
There aren’t many galleries where you can sit amongst art while sipping a great cup of coffee, but at Red Gallery & Café in Nelson, you get to do just that.
Representing the best original works of local Nelson Tasman and New Zealand artists is the driving force behind Parker Gallery.
Indulge in a weaving workshop, carve your own pounamu taonga, or make your own jewellery.
Work directly with artists. NZ Textile Experiences offers a wide range of textile and fibrecraft workshops, from contemporary embroidery to Harakeke, New Zealand flax weaving.
The Bench offers a range of classes from half-day earring-making and full-day ring-making to 20-hour courses and specialised tuition. If you have some experience and are travelling through Whakatū you might like to rent a bench for a day or more.
Shopping for art doesn’t just have to be for a statement wall piece or stuffy painting.
Items you can touch and use can be art too, and artisans across Nelson Tasman have you covered with galleries specialising in ceramics, glass and stylish homewares.
Story by Neat Places
Find your perfect stay.
Rutherford Hotel Nelson is Nelson’s only 24-hour fully-serviced hotel, offering luxurious rooms and suites.
Ah House is a unique, award-winning bed & breakfast or self-catering accommodation experience in the heart of Nelson city centre.
Relax in Delorenzo's 5-star studio apartments in the heart of Nelson City. Chic, stylish and close to cafes, theatres, galleries and Nelson's vibrant shopping centre.
Plan the perfect autumn stay.
Stay in a premium room and enjoy the exceptional facilities, including the outdoor pool, sauna, breakfast and dinner at Oceano Restaurant.
From $285 per night.
Experience luxury at the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park with our tailored Autumn Escape bed and breakfast package. It's the perfect way to relax and recharge.
Includes one night of luxury accommodation for two people in the Kaiteriteri beachfront apartments and breakfast at Waterfront, including coffee or juice.
From $260 Twin Share
Escape, revive, and reconnect with Wilsons Abel Tasman. Let them take care of logistics while you enjoy your 3-day self-guided walk, which includes one night at Torrent Bay Lodge and one night at Meadowbank Homestead in Awaroa.
From $1,445 pp twin share
Book three nights and only pay for two nights. Extend your summer with a luxurious five-star stay. Book direct and save by using the promo code STAY3PAY2.
Available for stays from 1 April to 1 June 2024.
Book a romantic getaway to Golden Bay. This package for two includes:
- Two nights in a Deluxe Room
- Daily breakfast
- A bottle of bubbles & chocolates on arrival
- A three-course dinner for two on one evening
Two nights from $1,174. Available in March and April only.
Come and enjoy Golden Bay with an autumn getaway at Ratanui Lodge.
This romantic getaway includes:
- Two nights in a Deluxe Room
- Daily breakfast
- A bottle of bubbles & chocolates on arrival
- Access to our outdoor pool and spa pool.
From $545 per night. Available in March and April only.
Escape to Maruia River Retreat and experience their most popular package. A relaxed luxury experience with dinner, villa, yoga, and breakfast:
- Private villa with lush linens and luxurious amenities
- Daily morning yoga and continental breakfast
- Nightly three-course dinners
- Guided group nature walk
- One-hour private forest bathing
- Finnish dry sauna, magnesium pool
From $1,250 per night for two
Escape to Kaiteriteri Beach with an all-inclusive spa package at Kimi Ora Eco Resort.
Kimi Ora's Overnight Dinner & Spa Package includes:
- Continental breakfast
- Two-course vegetarian dinner
- 30-minute massage or 30-minute refresher facial per person
Available Tuesdays to Saturdays. Make sure to extend your stay so you can enjoy everything Kaiteriteri has to offer.
From $475 for two people
Celebrate a special occasion at Awaroa Lodge—package for two.
This package includes:
- Two nights accommodation
- Return water taxi transfers from Kaiteriteri with Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle
- A bottle of bubbly and chocolates in your room on arrival
- A delicious cooked breakfast to start each day
A three-course dinner in the Harakeke Restaurant each evening
From $1,166 for two nights
Relax, explore, and recharge in climate-positive accommodation crafted from sustainably harvested and locally-grown timber, surrounded by native bush and birds.
From $220 per night.
It’s time to recharge your soul at Kaiteriteri with a two-night package designed for two people in our standard apartment overlooking the stunning Kaiteriteri Beach.
Includes two nights accommodation in a standard apartment, Taste of Tasman arrival platter, Waterfront Restaurant day pack, and return boat transfers to Abel Tasman National Park.
From $871 Twin Share
Embark on an idyllic escape to Drift Off Grid Glamping in Golden Bay, where luxury meets eco-friendly glamping. Book direct and save 10% using the promo code FALLINLOVE, valid until the end of August.
It’s time to recharge your soul at Kaiteriteri, explore the world-famous Abel Tasman National Park, and get your hands dirty by volunteering to plant native plants and trees in Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve.
The two-night accommodation in a premium apartment, Taste of Tasman arrival platter, breakfast at Waterfront Restaurant, picnic hamper, and return boat transfers.
From $1,243 Twin Share
Experience Nelson Tasman with these activity deals and packages.
Book your ferry with Interislander and save 10% using the promo code ntautumn241 on checkout. T&Cs apply. Travel period 1st April through 30th June 2024.
Explore the Abel Tasman Coast Track with a touch of luxury at Wilsons Abel Tasman beachfront lodges.
From $1,650 per person
Paddle the calm waters of the Astrolabe before heading around the point to Anchorage, then journey back on foot the next day.
From $151 per person
Hire a kayak for a day and paddle to Anchorage. Continue your journey by walking the coastal track or return by water taxi.
From $135 per person
Experience New Zealand's unique nature, wildlife, and unspoiled landscapes of Farewell Spit. Includes refreshments.
From $185 per person
Cruise in style and comfort from Kaiteriteri into the Abel Tasman National Park. Call into popular beaches, see the famous Toka Ngāwha (Split Apple Rock), and view sea birds and seals from the boat at Adele Island (and Tonga Island on the 10.30am cruise).
From $54 per person
Paddle into a rich cultural experience with Waka Abel Tasman. Venture out to Split Apple Rock (Toka Ngawhā), a beautiful, atmospheric place and one of the Abel Tasman coastline's most iconic spots.
From $105 per person
See the Abel Tasman National Park by land, sea and air. A full-day combo tour that has it all!
From $775 per person based on 4 people sharing the heli.
Take a delightful round trip from our Nelson base to the golden sands of Rabbit Island and enjoy tasty treats at your own pace. The package includes a freshly prepared picnic box with fresh food and a drink from the Nelson region.
From $110 per person.
Experience the delights of Nelson on this stunning bus tour around the region. Spend the day visiting a selection of the Nelson Tasman's best wineries and attractions.
Only $99.50 per person
Make sure you check the terms and conditions for each deal on the operator's website.
Nelson Tasman is bursting with flavours.
A staple for over thirty years in Golden Bay, The Mussel Inn is your go-to for wholesome food, delicious in-house brews, dance-worthy live music and possibly a roaming weka or two.
An exceptional riverfront dining experience. The enjoyment begins when you relax in the stylish Tides Bar and select a local wine or beer while taking in the Maitai River views from the balcony—open 7 days.
Step inside Kismet on Nelson’s Hardy Street and be transported into a sophisticated, world-class cocktail and whiskey bar. Lush seating, dark walls, vintage floor lamps, fairy lights and candles create a cosy yet elegant atmosphere.
Nelson's newest dining experience. Open for brunch and dinner from Wednesday until Monday, and true to its name features eight plates that change regularly depending on the local produce available.
Harvest Kitchen Restaurant at Seifried Winery Estate offers delicious seasonal food, great coffee, local wine, beer and cider. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
Casual brewpub serving wood-fired pizzas and one of New Zealand's finest craft beers, brewed just down the road. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
Oceano captures the essence of Nelson, offering the freshest local produce cooked to perfection by their talented chefs. Their seasonal menu offers something for every palate. Open 7 days.
Their philosophy is to create an atmosphere similar to enjoying a meal at home serving creative, seasonal and approachable food from a regularly changing menu with damn good booze and coffee.
If you’re after a hearty brunch with a pretty view in central Nelson, you can’t go past River Kitchen, situated on the banks of the Matai River. Open Tuesdays to Sundays.
Seasonal. Local. Fresh. Located within Ratanui Lodge, Pohara Restaurant & Bar offers some of the finest dining in Golden Bay. Why not stay too? Book their 'Romantic Ratanui' two-night getaway, which includes breakfast, a bottle of bubbles and chocolates, and a three-course dinner for two.
Dining at Awaroa Lodge is a beautiful experience with plenty of local produce and ingredients grown on-site. Dine inside or out, open daily.
The vineyards of Nelson are boutique and family-owned and set amongst exceptional scenic countryside, often with a foreground of rich horticultural land or inviting coastline and a backdrop of mountains. Explore Nelson Tasman's diverse aromatics with the 'Wine Exposed Nelson Tour'.
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