Had breakfast at Victus and wondering where to next? Beth and Nick have a few ideas.
Their Nelson favourites mix art, nature, good food and a little adventure, with plenty to discover without going far from the city centre. Better still, you can leave the car behind. This is a day best explored on foot or by bike.
Start with a stroll along Bridge Street to the Suter Art Gallery and neighbouring Queens Gardens. Take your time exploring the gallery, then wander through the gardens before heading towards the Maitai River.
Once the art tanks are topped up, head along Bridge Street to the Maitai River and follow the riverside path for 2km to Black Hole, a favourite local swimming spot when the sun is shinning. Keep going into the Maitai Valley, where Beth and Nick recommend trying Branford Park’s 18-hole disc golf course. It’s an easy one to enjoy with the family, and you can hire discs from MD Outdoors.
From Branford Park, head uphill to the Centre of New Zealand. It’s a short, steep climb, but there’s a good reward at the top: wide-open views across Whakatū Nelson, the Maitai Valley, Tasman Bay and the ranges beyond.
Head down through the Botanical Reserve, cross the Maitai River and make your way back into town. Wander the shops along Bridge Street, then take your time exploring Hardy Street and the surrounding city centre. Beth and Nick’s picks include Little Beehive Co-op, where you’ll find work from local artists and makers, and Eclectic Antiques for a rummage through vintage finds and curiosities.
By now, you’ve earned another feed. Head to Kirby Lane, where a line-up of food trucks serves up plenty of options for hungry explorers.
If the day’s turning into an evening, settle in for a drink at The Free House before finishing up with a cocktail at Kismet. Not a bad way to round out a day in Nelson.
