Centre of New Zealand

A short but sweet 20-minute uphill walk under the canopy of poplar and kauri trees will land you at the viewing platform, marked with a giant white survey pin in the hills behind Nelson City. Offering panoramic views over Nelson, Tasman Bay, and the picturesque Kahurangi mountain ranges, the Centre of New Zealand is a walk that forms part of the daily routine for many Nelson Tasman locals, and it’s easy to see why. How to get there: The walk begins from the Botanical Reserve, which has a unique history as the site of the first ever rugby game played in New Zealand. You can access Botanical Reserve via a blue footbridge at the end of Hardy Street (parking available by the footbridge), or via Tory Street or Milton Street.