More than a few people would call the climate of New Zealand almost ideal, and the place to get the most sunshine in this most outdoorsy of countries is Nelson, perched on the northwest corner of South Island. Not far from Nelson sit many of the wonders that cause people to fall in love with the country—long beaches, virgin forests and majestic mountains.
- Nelson, New Zealandecstaticist
It might be the sun that inspires people, but for some reason Nelson has earned a reputation as a haven for the creative set. More than 350 artists and craftspeople make a living in Nelson, or nearly one in 100, an astounding percentage. Those artists work in all genres, from Maori to contemporary, and they work in all media, from glass to metal to stone to wood, clay, sand, paint and fabric, giving visitors a wide selection of artwork that they can take home and display.
Among other must-do’s in and around Nelson are:
- The World of WearableArt and Collectable Cars Museum
- Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatu–the regional art gallery, featuring the works of Sir Tosswill Woollaston, a founder of modern art in New Zealand
- Hoglund Art Glass—spread over seven acres and offering a great chance to see glassblowers in action
- Saturday market—a great place to interact with artists from all over the region
- Nelson Provincial Museum—all the history you could want in this relatively new museum
- Rongoa Maori—a natural medicines bush walk where you will learn about traditional cures while walking among the plants used to heal
- Abel Tasman National Park—one of the most stunning of New Zealand’s Great Walks. This jaunt can take up to five days to see everything in the park.
- Golden Bay—a fine beach for a day of relaxation and fun
-  Takaka—New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs with the clearest water you will ever see, not far from Nelson
- Wineries in Moutere Hills and the Waimea Plains—great for a tour and a chance to sample the famed Nelson Bay scallops
- Kayak tour of the coast—a rare chance to see seal colonies and blue penguins frolicking in the water
There’s so much to see and do in and around Nelson that, like many tourists who extend their stay in New Zealand, you will want to get your own wheels so that you are not tied to a restrictive tour with set hours. If you are a newcomer to New Zealand, rest assured that it is quite easy to buy and insure a vehicle.
If you need information on loan rates and other vehicle matters, click here for details on Turners car loans, a dealer who has helped many a visitor get on the road to Nelson. As you proceed in the process of getting a vehicle, you will see that the Kiwi dislike for red tape proves to be quite advantageous for the car seller and buyer, ensuring little lost time to paperwork and more hours spent gazing at perhaps the most beautiful country on the planet.
