Nelson
Nelson has a couple of claims to fame - it often describes itself as the city nearest to the centre of New Zealand and claims one of the sunniest climates in the country. With a population of about 42,000, the city named after Britain's Admiral Horatio Nelson has become a main centre for ecotourism and adventure tourism.
Reasons to visit include:
Sea, lakes and mountains
Nelson has mountains on three sides and the Tasman Bay on the fourth. The region is the gateway to several National Parks, including the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi parks. The Nelson Lakes National Park also includes Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa (not to be confused with the lake of the same name in the North Island). The region is a paradise for those who enjoy tramping through unspoiled bush or next to water.
Caving
Caving enthusiasts come from all around the world to explore cave systems around Takaka Hill, Mt Owen and Mt Arthur which contain the largest and deepest explored caverns in the Southern Hemisphere.
Places of historical significance
Given New Zealanders' passion for rugby, it's interesting to note that the first game of rugby ever played in the country took place at Nelson's Botanic Reserve between the Nelson Football Club and Nelson College. A plaque commemorates the event which took place on May 14, 1870. Brightwater, near Nelson, is the birthplace of Lord Rutherford, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist whose image appears on the $100 note. An extensive display outlining the story of his life is situated on the entrance to Brightwater.
Festivals
Nelson has become a busy centre for many festivals. These include the annual Wearable Art Awards, the Taste Nelson food festival, the Festival of Opportunities which showcases alternative health and lifestyle options and the Suter International Film Festival. Music lovers can enjoy the annual Jazz Festival, the Adam New Zealand Festival of Chamber Music or the two-yearly Nelson Winter Music Festival. The Nelson Kite Festival takes advantage of the inland sea breezes.
Museums and studios
The World of Wearable Art is home to a wide range of collectable cars and works from the annual Wearable Art Awards, while the Nelson Provincial Museum displays locally significant artifacts. The Suter Gallery is the region's best-known art gallery while there are many local arts and crafts studios open to the public.