Nelson - Tasman Region

Located at the northern tip of South Island, the city of Nelson (pop. 51,000) is chiefly a point of access to the adjacent region, an unspoiled area of great natural beauty. The Abel Tasman National Park offers golden beaches and marine reserves. The 37-mile Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of New Zealand’s nine “Great Walks.” Inland, the 1,745-square-mile Kahurangi National Park is a remote tract of mountainous country, accessible chiefly by helicopter and renowned for its superlative trout fishing. Nelson is also a wine region, known mainly for aromatic whites and Pinot Noirs.