What can you do in Nelson over the weekend?
Abel Tasman National Park
If you’ve booked cheap flights from Wellington to Nelson, take an hours’ drive west to experience Abel Tasman National Park. Abel Tasman is a coastal park that offers a unique blend of sea, forest, and canyons. Visitors with plane tickets to Nelson from Wellington can enjoy a wide range of activities. Enjoy the water by kayaking or scuba diving, or hike along one of the park’s many trails. Keep an eye out for coastal wildlife as well; dolphins and seals can often be spotted off the shores of Abel Tasman National Park.
The Nelson Market
If you book flights Wellington to Nelson flights for travel over the weekend, be sure to visit the famous Nelson Market that happens every Saturday. This market consists of about 200 stalls and has been in operation for almost 40 years. While walking through the market, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase fresh produce, local arts and crafts, and clothing as well as a bite to eat from one of the several food carts. When you have Wellington to Nelson flights, you can visit Nelson Market on Saturdays between 8am and 1pm in Montgomery Square.
Cable Bay
Cable Bay is located 18 kilometres northeast of central Nelson. During a weekend stay, Cable Bay is a great side trip and offers a look at the region’s tranquil and relatively untouched coastline. The most well-known feature of Cable Bay is the Cable Bay Walkway. The full loop takes about seven hours to complete, but there are several shorter tracks to discover if you’re short on time ahead of your flights from Nelson to Wellington. While hiking through Cable Bay, visitors can appreciate sweeping views of the coastline.
What’s on in Nelson?
Nelson Arts Festival
The Nelson Arts Festival is one of the region’s largest annual events. It is held over 10 days in mid-to-late October. If your cheap flights from Wellington to Nelson are due to arrive during the festival period, you can expect showcases of different art forms from all over the world. Listen to music from every genre imaginable and see plays, comedy shows, circus acts, and cultural performances from a variety of backgrounds. Several shows running throughout the Nelson Arts Festival are free to attend, and many are family-friendly.
New Zealand Cider Festival
Book your Wellington to Nelson flights for travel in mid-November to attend the New Zealand Cider Festival. The Nelson area is home to a large number of cider producers and is responsible for more than half of New Zealand’s cider production. Visitors can try specialty ciders from brands such as Old Mout Cider and Rochdale Cider. In addition to drinks, attendees of the New Zealand Cider Festival may also enjoy live music throughout the day
Nelson Jazzfest
If you love jazz music, book your cheap flights to Nelson from Wellington in January to attend the Nelson Jazzfest. The event takes place during the first weekend of the month and features both well-established and up-and-coming artists in the jazz scene. During the day, free concerts are held across the city; then at night, you can attend ticketed shows to see some of your favourite jazz acts live.
What is the best way to get around Nelson?
Once you have arrived at Nelson Airport (NSN), there is no public transport into the city centre; however, taxis and Super Shuttle services are available. If you’ll be exploring beyond the city limits after your Wellington to Nelson flights land, you may want to consider renting a car. Car rentals can be booked through Webjet to pick up from Nelson Airport. Rates start at approximately $45 NZD per day.
There is a network of public buses operating through central Nelson. There are seven routes available to visitors in the city. Nelson city is located in zone one, but some of the outer suburbs fall into three other zones. Tickets vary between $2.50 to $4 NZD depending on how many zones are travelled. If you’ll take the bus regularly after your cheap flights from Wellington to Nelson, you can purchase ten tickets at once for a discounted rate. In case you plan on having a night out, there is also a Late Late Bus that runs from 10pm to 3.15am between Nelson and Richmond.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to fly from Wellington to Nelson?
Flights between Wellington and Nelson are typically 45 minutes in duration.
Which airlines fly direct from Wellington to Nelson?
Direct flights to Nelson is serviced by Air New Zealand.
When is the cheapest time to fly from Wellington to Nelson?
The cheapest time to fly between Wellington and Nelson is generally during the winter months. At this time of the year, flights tend to be in lower demand, with daytime temperatures at their lowest.
