Nelson Tasman’s Best Rainy Day Activities
Posted on Monday 6 November 2023
Nelson Tasman is known as the sunshine capital of New Zealand. However, if you happen to be caught in the rain while visiting, here are some great activities to keep you and your family entertained.
Action Entertainment Centre
Challenge family and friends to a game of Ten Pin Bowling, Inflatable World, VR Golf, Mini-Golf & multiple indoor sports! Café and licensed bar.
Opening hours: Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10.00am to 3.00pm
Where: 30 McPherson Street, Richmond
Phone: 03 543 8222
More information: www.actioncentre.co.nz
Bowling at the Action Centre
Visit a local winery or brewery
Beer has been central to the local culture of the Nelson Tasman region since the early settlements in the 1840s. Today, craft breweries of all sizes stretch from Nelson City to Onekaka in Golden Bay. Follow the trail and find your favourite pint of locally crafted beer. Nelson Craft Beer Trail
Nelson Tasman's high sunshine hours partner with the different soils in the hills, plains, and coast to provide a twist to the regional wines. Follow the trail and discover spectacular sceneries that offer a stunning backdrop for visitors to the many cellar doors sprinkled throughout the area. A taste of passion is notable in every sip of the Nelson Tasman wine. Nelson Wine trail map
McCashins Brewery Kitchen Bar
Art & Crafts Tour
Nelson Tasman is renowned for its people's creative work, and we are very proud of the independent, ground-breaking artists and artisans that thrive in our community.
Take a look at the Nelson Arts and Crafts, Nelson Potters, Creative Pathways, or Golden Bay Art maps: Art, Heritage & Culture/Things To Do/NelsonTasman.nz
Artists at Kiln Studio
Founders Heritage Park
Stroll through character streets and gardens, meet resident artists, ride the train, and browse the extensive museum displays in this replica historic village.
Opening hours: Open 7 days, 10.00am to 4.30 pm. Admission fees apply.
Where: The Wood, Nelson
More information: www.founderspark.co.nz
Founders Heritage Park Church
Cable Bay Adventure Park
This thrilling, all-family fun adventure centre is a 10-minute drive from central Nelson City. Pick-ups are available. Mountain biking, 4W quad bikes, paintball, and we can't forget the Sky Wire, the world's longest flying fox, which is 3.2km long!
Opening hours: Open 7 days, 9.30am - 4.00pm
Where: 194 Cable Bay Road, Nelson
More information: www.cablebayadventurepark.com
Quadbiking at Cable Bay Adventure Park
Nelson Fun Park
Mini-golf fun for everyone. This is outdoors but still fun with a raincoat!
Opening hours: All Week. From 10.30am.
Where: Tāhunanui, Nelson
Phone: 03 548 6267
More information: www.nelsonfunpark.co.nz
Indoor Water Fun
Have a splash at one of Nelson Tasman's indoor pools. Both facilities have training rooms and hot spas!
Riverside Swimming Pool
Where: 25 Riverside Drive, Nelson
More information: www.clmnz.co.nz/riverside-swimming-pool/
Richmond Aquatic Centre
Where: 161 Salisbury Road, Richmond
More information: www.clmnz.co.nz/richmond/
Mapua
You'll find several waterfront cafés to relax in and browse the local galleries. If the sun peeks out from the clouds, you can hire a bike or catch the ferry to Rabbit Island Beach.
More information: Mapua & Ruby Coast Visitor Information - NelsonTasman.NZ
Mapua Warf
Christ Church Cathedral
Explore the Christ Church Cathedral (Nelson Anglican Cathedral) right in the heart of Nelson. The famous Church steps provide a focal point for numerous community events and a sunny lunchtime break for locals.
Opening hours: Open 7 Days, 8.30am to 6.00pm
Where: 1 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
More information: www.nelsoncathedral.nz
Christ Church Cathedral in Nelson
Ngarua Caves
Take an exciting cave tour to a unique underground world. Drive to Takaka Hill and embark on a 45-minute informative guided cave tour. Suitable for all ages.
Opening hours: Open daily throughout summer, offering guided cave tours hourly from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Bookings are essential in the winter months (June-Sept).
Where: Main Road, Takaka Hill, SH 60, Motueka
More information: www.ngaruacaves.co.nz
Nelson Provincial Museum
Visit New Zealand's oldest museum, tracing back to the foundation of the Literary and Scientific Institution of Nelson in May 1841.
Opening hours: Open 7 days. Weekdays 10.00am - 5.00pm, weekends and public holidays 10.00am - 4.30pm.
Where: 270 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
More information: www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz
Nelson Provincial Museum
Movie Cinemas
Take a break and check out the local cinema for the latest showing at State Cinemas Nelson or the brand new Silky Otter cinema in Richmond.
State Cinemas Nelson
Where: 91 Trafalgar Street
More information: State Cinemas Nelson - movie times & tickets
Silky Otter Cinema
Where: 405 Lower Queen Street, Richmond
More information: Silky Otter Cinemas – movie times & tickets
The Suter Art Gallery
New Zealand's third oldest art museum showcasing national & local art. Here, you'll find a craft shop, theatre and café.
Opening hours: Open 7 days, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Where: 208 Bridge Street, Nelson
More information: www.thesuter.org.nz
The Suter Art Gallery Craft Shop
Classic Car Museum
Featuring 150 cars in immaculate condition, from the classics of the 1950s to the exquisite mastery of Jaguar and Ferrari, Nelson Classic Car Museum is the place to marvel and admire an incredible collection of iconic cars. All ages will enjoy this unique and inspiring creative experience. After exploring this unique local wonder, take a break at The Little Engine Eatery.
Opening hours: Open 7 days, 10.00am-4.00pm
Where: 1 Cadillac Way, Nelson
More information: www.nelsonclassiccarmuseum.nz
Nelson Classic Car Museum
Jumpin' Nelson
The perfect destination for indoor entertainment. This trampoline park has a main arena, kid's arena, foam pit, tumble track, climbing wall, parkour area and wall trampolines. Fun for the whole family! Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 9am-5pm.
Where: 14 Pascoe Street, Nelson
More information: www.flipoutnelson.co.nz
Timezone Nelson
The latest and greatest entertainment hub Nelson has to offer, Timezone Nelson, is sure to bring out your game face! With a wide range of state-of-the-art arcade games and experiences.
Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday 10am-11pm, Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday9am-10pm.
Where: 60 Achilles Avenue, Nelson
More information: www.timezonegames.com/en-nz/locations/timezone-nelson
Skate Nelson
Grab your socks and head to the rink for great fun and exercise during our public skating sessions. Entry to regular public skating sessions is $8 and includes skate hire or only $6 if you use your own skates.
Opening hours: Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Saturday - Sunday 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Where: Back Beach Road, Tāhunanui Recreation Reserve
More information: www.skatenelson.nz
Escape Rooms
Solve a mystery, rob a bank, or break out of prison! Put yourself, your friends and your family to the ultimate test in one of the many challenges at Xscape Space.
Xscape Space
Where: 2a Estuary Place, Richmond, Nelson
More information: www.xscapespace.co.nz
Richmond Mall
Richmond Mall is the largest shopping destination in the Nelson Tasman region with over 70 stores. You can dine at the food court or grab a snack at a choice of four cafes. And of course browse the shops for bargains.
Where: Block between Queen Street, Sundial Square, Croucher Street and Talbot Street, Richmond 7020
More information: richmondmall.co.nz
