Things to do in Nelson

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Kaiteriteri Camp & Beach Panorama, New Zealand
A serene lake reflecting a town with a prominent clock tower, surrounded by lush green hills and mountains.
A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, clear turquoise waters, and dense green vegetation.
A beach with two large rock formations and a person carrying another person.
A calm sea with two large rocks in the middle, surrounded by a forested cliff.

Things to do

Nelson: Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland

Nelson: Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland

￥12,801
per adult
Nelson: Guided Quad Biking Tour Through Forest and Farmland
Nelson: Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire Experience

Nelson: Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire Experience

￥10,430
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Nelson: Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire Experience
Abel Tasman National Park: Helicopter Flight with landing

Abel Tasman National Park: Helicopter Flight with landing

￥374,819
per traveler
Abel Tasman National Park: Helicopter Flight with landing
From Nelson: Scenic Helicopter Ride and Mountain Picnic

From Nelson: Scenic Helicopter Ride and Mountain Picnic

￥221,876
per traveler
From Nelson: Scenic Helicopter Ride and Mountain Picnic
Kiwi Spirit Distillery Golden Bay - Visit New Zealand's only Tequila Farm!

Kiwi Spirit Distillery Golden Bay - Visit New Zealand's only Tequila Farm!

￥478,267
per traveler
Kiwi Spirit Distillery Golden Bay - Visit New Zealand's only Tequila Farm!
Nelson: Helicopter Flight with Mountain Landing & Bay Views

Nelson: Helicopter Flight with Mountain Landing & Bay Views

￥196,749
per traveler
Nelson: Helicopter Flight with Mountain Landing & Bay Views
Nelson: Wine and Art Tour with Tastings and Lunch

Nelson: Wine and Art Tour with Tastings and Lunch

￥37,833
per adult
Nelson: Wine and Art Tour with Tastings and Lunch
Heli-Scenic Nelson Mountain Adventure

Heli-Scenic Nelson Mountain Adventure

￥224,910
per traveler
Heli-Scenic Nelson Mountain Adventure
Abel Tasman Heli-Hike

Abel Tasman Heli-Hike

￥788,704
per traveler
Abel Tasman Heli-Hike
See all activities in Nelson
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Most popular activities in Nelson

Tours & day trips

See all 24 activities
Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

Activity duration is 1 day
9.4 out of 10 with 147 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥11,570 per adult
Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour ComboOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 10 activities
Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

Activity duration is 1 day
9.4 out of 10 with 147 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥11,570 per adult
Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour ComboOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 4 activities
Kiwi Spirit Distillery Golden Bay - Visit New Zealand's only Tequila Farm!

Kiwi Spirit Distillery Golden Bay - Visit New Zealand's only Tequila Farm!

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥466,860 per traveler*
Kiwi Spirit Distillery Golden Bay - Visit New Zealand's only Tequila Farm!Opens in new tab

Weddings & honeymoons

See all 4 activities
From Nelson: Marlborough Sounds Scenic Helicopter Flight

From Nelson: Marlborough Sounds Scenic Helicopter Flight

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥482,965 per traveler*
From Nelson: Marlborough Sounds Scenic Helicopter FlightOpens in new tab

History & culture

See all 3 activities
Lord of the Rings Mt Olympus, South of Rivendell

Lord of the Rings Mt Olympus, South of Rivendell

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥443,721 per traveler*
Lord of the Rings Mt Olympus, South of RivendellOpens in new tab

What to do in Nelson

Discover the most popular places to visit in Nelson

Trafalgar Park

Catch an event at Trafalgar Park during your trip to Nelson. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Trafalgar Park

Christ Church Cathedral

After visiting Christ Church Cathedral, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Nelson. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Christ Church Cathedral

Founders Heritage Park

Enjoy a fun-filled day at Founders Heritage Park during your visit to Nelson. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Founders Heritage Park

World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars in Nelson. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars

Nelson Market

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Nelson Market during your trip to Nelson. Wander around the parks or enjoy the area's cafes.

Nelson Market

Nelson College

Enjoy the collegiate vibe at Nelson College during your stay in Nelson. Visit the spas in this walkable area, or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Nelson College

Nelson I-site Visitor Information Centre

After visiting Nelson I-site Visitor Information Centre, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Nelson. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Nelson I-site Visitor Information Centre

Centre of New Zealand Monument

You can find out about the history of Nelson with a trip to Centre of New Zealand Monument. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Centre of New Zealand Monument

Queens Gardens

Explore the great outdoors at Queens Gardens, a lovely green space in Nelson. Wander the lakeside or discover the area's volcano viewpoints.

Queens Gardens

Where to stay in Nelson

Find the best Nelson areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Nelson
Learn more about Nelson
Photo by Mark Wilkinson
Open Photo by Mark Wilkinson

Nelson City Centre

Nelson City Centre is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Nelson Market and Nelson Provincial Museum.

Houses on the side of the cliffs in Nelson, along the shoreline of Tasman Bay near Tahunanui Beach; Nelson Province, South Island, New Zealand

Tahunanui

Tahunanui is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Tahunanui Beach Reserve and Natureland Zoo while you're in town.

Aerial view from the Center of New Zealand, Nelson, aerial photography of Nelson, drone image New Zealand, centre of New Zealand in nelson

Port Nelson

When in Port Nelson, you can plan a visit to Trafalgar Park and Nelson Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Nelson South

Unique features of Nelson South include the spas and restaurants. Make a stop by Fairfield Park or Victory Square while you're exploring the area.

Tonga Island, Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand.

Stoke

Stoke is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like McCashin's Brewery and Marsden Recreation Ground.

Popular day trips from Nelson

Lake Chalice, Mount Richmond Forest Park, New Zealand.

Richmond

Frequently asked questions

Is Nelson worth visiting?
Offering a blend of distilleries and craft breweries and coastal beaches, there's no shortage of things to do in Nelson. When you're here, visit Christ Church Cathedral, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Nelson?
Start your sightseeing with a visit to Nelson Provincial Museum and Natureland Zoo. Then, tour other parts of Nelson for local restaurants and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Nelson?
Christ Church Cathedral is one of the top tourist attractions in Nelson and deserves a spot on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Nelson?
Three days in Nelson is enough to visit the city's main highlights. Many guests stay for two days on average. Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson Provincial Museum and Natureland Zoo are top-rated sights. Want to experience more? Hang around a while longer to check off nearby hotspots like Motueka.
Is Nelson a walkable city?
It all depends on what you plan to see and do in Nelson. Several top sights, such as Christ Church Cathedral and Nelson Provincial Museum, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Nelson's best neighborhoods, The Wood is 0.97 kilometers away from downtown, while Nelson City Centre is 0.48 kilometers away from the center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Nelson with kids?
If you are after activities and attractions for all ages, here are some excellent ideas for what to do in Nelson with kids.

What to do in Nelson for adults?
South Pacific Distillery and McCashin's Brewery are just a few of the things to do in Nelson. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Nelson?
From visiting parks to strolling around hip neighborhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Nelson. If you're looking for inspiration, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Christ Church Cathedral is a must for anyone looking to save on their travel adventures.