Kevin's Guide to Nelson, New Zealand - Visiting Nelson (Tasman Bay)

- Tasman Bay

- Nelson City

- Nelson South

- Accommodation

- Transportation

- Gay friendly
businesses
- Media and
Entertainment

Spectrum (Nelson) Inc.

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Tasman Bay

Tasman Bay is the main body of water in the region, lapping the shores of the Abel Tasman National Park, south to Nelson and then north again to the shores of D'Urville Island.
Tasman Bay is very popular with all types of boating activities and is popuar with fishermen, both commercial and recreational.
Around its southern shores are some of the largest tidal estuary areas in New Zealand, and a haven for associated wildlife. Inland from these tidal estuaries is the base for a large (and still growing) wine industry.

Rabbit Island

Located at the southern end of Tasman Bay, Rabbit Island provides over 8 Km of beaches safe for swimming.
Most of the island is covered with pine plantation (owned by the local District Council) and is closed to the public, but there is a small area on the seaward side which is public reserve and gives ready access to the beachfront. The beachfront is about 25 minutes drive from the centre of Nelson.

Towards Rabbit Island.
Click on the above photo for the bigger view - it will open in its own window.

Mapua

Mapua (population of 1,043 - 1991 Census) is a rapidly growing settlement off the western end of Rabbit Island, a little over half way between Nelson and Motueka.
If Mapua has any special 'claim to fame' it would be that located there, across the tidal channel from Rabbit Island, is the Mapua Leisure Park, the country's first (and still only) public clothes optional holiday resort. The leisure Park has been operating for well over 20 years.
At the nearby wharf is the main tourist attraction. In the old wharf sheds is an aquarium (including breading seahorses), a fish processor who specialises in naturally smoked fish (available for purchase on site), and a café and licensed restaurant (with outdoor dining is the weather is good).

Main Highway

Along the main highway between Ridhmond and Motueka are several craft places; the best known of these would be Silkwood, about 3km on the Nelson side of Mapua, which has its own café as well.