Best things to do on weekends in Nelson
Explore Nelson’s artistic side
Nelson is known throughout New Zealand as an artistic and creative community, so if you book flights Queenstown to Nelson be sure to make plans to visit some of its fantastic galleries and museums. Consider going to the Suter Art Gallery if you want to see some of the city’s top art. Local markets like the famous Nelson Market are also great if you want to pick up some hand crafted jewellery and paintings.
Visit Golden Bay for the day
Even if you’ve only booked Queenstown to Nelson for a weekend, it’s worth taking a trip to Golden Bay for the day. The Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest coldwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere and are worth the trip. It takes about one hour by car to get to Golden Bay from Nelson Airport (NSN). If it’s good weather, consider walking some of the Farewell Spit. Formed entirely from sand, the spit is 35 kilometres long and stretches from Fossil Point all the way to the beginning of Golden Bay.
Check out the Nelson Classic Car Museum
The Nelson Classic Car Museum houses more than 150 iconic cars and is one of the best spots to visit if you’ve booked Queenstown to Nelson flights and are travelling with the family. From a 1908 Renault AX to expensive Ferraris, the museum has cars of all kinds. If you do encounter a rainy day or afternoon, the Nelson Classic Car Museum is a great place to wait out the drizzle.
Abel Tasman National Park
When you visit Abel Tasman National Park, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular areas in the region. This is actually one of the smallest national parks in New Zealand, but there is much to see and do, from kayaking and hiking to camping overnight in spots like Anapai Bay or Apple Tree Bay Campsite. The Abel Tasman Great Walk is probably the most popular thing to do with locals on the weekend. It’s an absolutely unforgettable walk that traverses stunning coastlines and beaches.
Best cafes in Nelson
Kush Coffee
Coffee lovers flying from Queenstown Airport (ZQN) to Nelson Airport need to visit Kush Coffee. Serving fair trade, organic coffee, Kush is known among locals as one of the best coffee spots in the city. They also do great pastries and breakfasts if you’re looking for a relaxing area to refuel.
Yaza Cafe
Yaza Cafe is best known for its delicious cheese scones. If you’re looking for something larger, they do great breakfasts and lunches as well, including eggs benedict and vegetarian nachos.
The Suter Cafe
If you plan to visit The Suter Art Gallery when you fly from Queenstown to Nelson, you can grab a spot of lunch at the fantastic Suter Cafe. The cafe is situated in a scenic glass atrium and has views of the Queen’s gardens. The menu ranges from baked goods to sandwiches and salads.
Lambretta’s
Lambretta’s cafe is located in the centre of Nelson. This Italian bistro serves reshly made paninis, as well as all the classic dishes such as pasta to pizza. If you’re in search of authentic Italian cuisine when you fly to Nelson from Queenstown, Lambretta’s is likely to be your favourite eatery in the city.
Sweet As Cafe
Sweet As Cafe is another great spot worth visiting if you’ve booked Queenstown to Nelson flights and want to sample the city’s great coffee. It’s very conveniently located right next to the Nelson Provincial Museum on Trafalgar Street.
Founders Cafe
Founders Cafe is a nice place to relax at for a while if you’re visiting Founders Heritage Park. It has a great outdoor area so you can soak up some of Nelson’s famously sunny weather and even unwind with one of the local beers they stock.
East St Cafe & Bar
For a more ethically-minded option, visit the East St Cafe and Bar for its extensive vegan menu. The cafe has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and is a favourite among locals.
The cost of visiting Nelson
Nelson has many free activities available to tourists, like visiting Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay, so it can be quite easy to keep things relatively cheap when you book Queenstown to Nelson flights. Meals are likely to cost you around $42 a day and transport is quite cheap as well — buses start at $2 a day. If you’re booking Queenstown to Nelson flights as a couple, the average hotel price in Nelson is around $57.
The Best Time to Visit Nelson
Deciding when to book return flights from Queenstown to Nelson should depend on your itinerary. If enjoying the splendour of its beaches is your primary motive for visiting, opt to visit during January or February, when temperature rise to around 24 degrees Celsius. To catch some discounts and save up some money travel to Nelson during June, July, or August. Fares and accommodation prices usually drop during this time, and the weather is still rather pleasant. September and October are also a great choice, as the summer crowds still haven’t formed yet, and the weather starts to get warmer and warmer.
Departing From Queenstown
Queenstown International Airport (ZQN) serves over a million passengers annually. It is the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand.
Getting to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
With a location of around 8 km away from Queenstown, the Queenstown International Airport (ZQN) offers suitable transportation options for everyone. For the most economically-friendly option, go for the Orbus bus service. With a ticket cost of around NZD 10 for a one-way ticket it’s a fairly cheap option. If this is too much for you, however, opt to buy a GoCard which will give you a discount. For the ultimate convenience choose a taxi service.
Parking at Queenstown Airport (CHC)
Queenstown Airport has two parking areas for passengers who wish to park for a longer period.
Where to Park at Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
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Parking Area A with a price of NZD 25 per day, or NZD 100 per week.
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Parking Area B which charges a similar price.
Arriving in Nelson
Located in Annesbrook, just 6 km away from Nelson, the Nelson Airport (NSN) serves over a million people each year. It is the fifth busiest airport in the country.
How to Get from Nelson Airport (NSN) to Your Nelson Hotel or Accommodation
The Nelson Airport (NSN) offers plenty of suitable transportation options to your hotel. These include taxis, shuttles as well as a bus service. The taxis are located right at the terminal front, together with the shuttles. As for the buses, there is a service called Nelson i-SIte.
Things to do in Nelson
Nelson is famous for its wide variety of artists, including painters, weavers, potters, and even glass-blowers. You will find anything from contemporary to traditional and even Maori art style. Nelson has a rich cultural heritage, and the artists to back it up.This rich art scene is a good way to start your ZQN to NSN vacation.
Another wealth of this charming town are its scenic beaches. Tahunanui Beach is especially famous, as it’s likely the largest beach in the country. Nature lovers should also opt to visit some of Nelson’s national parks, such as Abel Tasman, a coastal, rocky wonderland. Nelson also offers a wide range of adventure activities such as rafting, kayaking, and skydiving./p>
