Nelson

Nelson is the geographical centre of New Zealand, located at the top of the South Island and is one of the sunniest cities in the country.


Sport in Nelson

Rugby Union, Cricket, Football and Basketball are among the most popular sports to watch in Nelson:

  • The Saxton Oval is an international standard cricket ground, which hosted 3 matches during the 2015 Cricket World Cup and is used by the Central Districts cricket team (Central Stags in the Super Smash).
  • Trafalgar Park is a multi purpose sports venue that hosted 3 pool matches at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The ground is one of the home venues of the Tasman Makos who compete in the Mitre 10 Cup. The stadium is also used for football by Tasman United of the New Zealand Football Championship.
  • Just across the Maitai River is the Trafalgar Centre, used by the Nelson Giants basketball team of the National Basketball League.

Getting to Nelson

Airport – Nelson Airport is located south of Nelson CBD and about 5km north of the Saxton Oval. The Airport is solely used for domestic flights and has regular flights to Auckland, Blenheim, Christchurch, Kapiti Coast, Palmerston North and Wellington. The closest international airport on the South Island is Christchurch, about 5 hours drive away or Wellington which is a ferry ride away on the North Island.

A taxi costs €25 to reach Nelson CBD or the Saxton Oval, or there is a shuttle bus service for about €20.

Thinking of going to Nelson? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.

Bus – InterCity has buses running from Nelson (Bridge Street) to most of the South Island, and indirectly to the North Island.


Where to stay in Nelson

Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Nelson by clicking here.


Food & Drink in Nelson

Use TripAdvisor to read other travellers reviews of bars and restaurants and find some great places to eat and drink in Nelson by clicking here.


What to do in Nelson

  • Art – Nelson is home to a number of creative people and has an array of galleries, including Jens Hansen, maker of the ‘One Ring’ from the Lord of the Rings films.
  • Tahunanui – This suburb of Nelson offers an amazing beach and a number of family friendly activities on or along the waterfront.
  • Abel Tasman National Park â€“ Just an hour from Nelson, the smallest national park in New Zealand packs a lot in, with the coastal track being one of New Zealand’s most beautiful walks.

Last Updated on February 24, 2021 by Sports Tourist

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