Nelson

Nelson / Whakatu is known as the Sunshine Capital of New Zealand, as it gets around 2400 hours annually of sunshine, just ahead of its neighbour Blenheim. There was a CouchSurfing Collective going on from November 2006 till March 2007.

Meetings

Mailing List

Tips

• People share their free photos of Nelson on blogs
  • [1] by Ben and Meg
  • [2] by Eve

CouchSurfers

Meeting Organisers

Coffee or a drink

Media Mentions

An article on Couchsurfing and the Collective was printed in the local newspaper, the Nelson Leader on November 23, 2006

History

Nelson was founded in 1842 and is one of New Zealand's oldest cities despite its size (about 50000 people). It has a cathedral. It has a history and reputation as being sleepy hollow, in part due to it's being relatively cut off from neighbouring areas by sea and hills, in part due to the calm sunny climate, and in part due to the relaxed and friendly nature of the locals. It is well known for having New Zealand's first public school (Nelson College) and for being where Ernest Rutherford undertook his formative years. Nelson is closely associated with the Tasman region, neighbouring Richmond (Tasman's service centre) beyond which the region stretches west and north to Motueka and 'over the hill' to the beautiful Golden Bay.

Geographically Nelson is at the 'Top of the South' Island in the south-east corner of north-facing Tasman Bay. Immediately behind Nelson, protecting its southern flanks and seperating it from Marlborough, is Mt Richmond Forest Park which stretches north ultimately turning into the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. An hour south of Nelson, beyond Mt Richmond Forest Park, lies Nelson Lakes National Park, renowned for its tramping, fishing and climbing. West of Nelson, beyond the Waimea River flats and the Moutere Hills is Kahurangi National Park - one of Aotearoa's largest National Parks (after Fiordland and Stewart Island). With an unparalleled and exciting biological and geological diversity, Kahurangi offers simply amazing tramping, climbing, caving, botanising, fishing, hunting, wilderness experiences, rafting and just general exploring. Lastly, to the north of Nelson, beyond Kahurangi, lies the Abel Tasman National Park, famous for its beautiful golden sand beaches, lack of roads, natural beuty, sea kayaking and hiking. The Abel Tasman also has a marine reserve and some remarkable less-trod inland areas. Golden Bay, with Farewell Spit World Heritage Area and Westhaven Marine Reserve, among other things, lies at the northern extreme of the south Island between Kahurangi and Abel Tasman National Parks. To its south, and inland, the small town of Murchison lies between Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi National Parks and offers some of the country's best whitewater rafting and kayaking, not to mention fishing, tramping and hunting.

It is the combination of these mountainous areas that makes the Nelson region the sensational outdoor playground that it is. It also gives Nelson its wonderful climate, protecting it from the prevailing southwesterlies and cold southerlies.

Region

More info under Tasmanwikitravel:CITY hitch:Nelson