Family Fantastic

Pack the wagon, for the playground that is Nelson in springtime is officially open! Nelson Tasman tops its class in the family holiday stakes with three national parks, countless beaches and interactive attractions, not to mention a calendar full of family events.

The Interislander

Wow and Classic Cars Museum

Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco

Wilsons Abel Tasman

Wine and Wilderness

Morrison Street Cafe

Nelson Arts Festival

  1. Day 1 Friday

    Morning

    We’re all going on a springtime holiday, no more worries ‘til the weekends out…

    Board the Interislander and wave goodbye to school, work and all your week day troubles.

    From Picton enjoy the drive through two valleys of farmland and forestry, stop for a picnic lunch or icecream and stretch the legs at Pelorous Bridge.

    OR

    Fly Air New Zealand.

    Direct flights from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch up to five times a day
    Afternoon

    Hit the ground running. The kids will love getting up close to the bizarre and whimsical garments on display at the WOW® and Classic Cars Museum, not to mention a truly awesome collection of legendary classic cars.

    Check into accommodation at four star plus Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco.

    Within its picturesque village setting, the family can make itself at home in a two bedroom cottage. Set around a grassy village green the kids have room to stretch their legs and there is plenty for Mum and Dad to discover too, including an award winning onsite restaurant, a pool, gym, hairdresser, spa and jeweller.

    Evening

    Enjoy the festive atmosphere of Friday night Farmers Market at Founders Heritage Park.

    Mum and Dad can enjoy a cool brew from the family at Founders’ Brewery while the kids explore the wonders of yesteryear in the lanes of Founders Historic Village.

  2. Day 2 Saturday

    Big Day Out

    With a good night sleep under your belts you’ll be ready to take on the Abel Tasman National Park in the safe hands of Wilsons Abel Tasman. For eight generations the Wilson family has been showing visitors a good time in New Zealand’s most popular National Park.

    Departing at 9.40am on the Seals and Beaches trip the whole family can cruise to Onetahuti, via Tonga Island seal colony, before stretching your legs with pleasant two hour walk to Bark Bay.
    Evening

    Having built up a huge appetite, grab a blanket and treat the family to some of Nelson’s freshest Fish’n’Chips and enjoy them on Wakefield Quay wharf or Tahunanui Beach.

  3. Day 3 Sunday

    Big Day Out!

    Ding Ding ...wake up for round two of Nelson Tasman’s awesome line up of family adventures. Join Wine Art & Wilderness (operated by New Zealand Nature Tours) to discover Golden Bay in a Day

    With Golden Bay in a Day the family will uncover the hidden gems of this unique area on this fully guided journey. Travelling from sea level to the alpine regions, hear fascinating stories about the region’s history and the world’s clearest waters, walk on golden beaches and discover ancient limestone groves.

  4. Day 4 Monday

    Morning

    Burn off some of that endless energy on day 4 with a brisk morning walk up hill to the Centre of New Zealand. If you still have something left in the locker room a quick game of touch at the site of New Zealand’s first rugby game is a must on the way back.

    After all that exertion tuck into a well deserved lunch at Morrison Street Café.

    Morrison Street Café take their kids menu pretty seriously with a healthy kids menu and no deep fried food. The Children can have a kiddie sized portion of the famous Morrison Street Pancakes or a full Children’s’ Breakfast with sautéed potato. In addition to this over half the menu is suitable for those with allergies or food intolerances, which is often hard to find while travelling.
    Stay On

    Not quite ready to return to reality? Find a reason to extend your stay at www.itson.co.nz Nelson’s official events website.

    The Nelson Arts Festival is just part of an exciting calendar of spring events in Nelson. On Monday 26 October families can enjoy Nelson Arts Festival Family Finale.

    At the Family Finale the Founders Heritage Park Festival Village will be alive with music, magic and pets in drag. Relax and enjoy the carnival like atmosphere.

    OR

    Treat the family to an adventure they won’t forget. Extend the holiday an additional 2 – 5 days and escape into the Abel Tasman with one of Wilsons Abel Tasman’s fully guided multi-day experiences.

    Ideal for families, choose from a combination of walking or kayaking, adventurous or relaxing options and let Wilsons take care of the rest, making it a holiday for Mum and Dad too! Expert guides tailor each day to suit the family’s needs, stay in full catered, beachfront lodges and let someone else carry the packs. Click here to see some of the options available. p.s. (‘shhh!’ don’t tell everyone – its a little known secret is that spring offers some of the more settled weather patterns and therefore makes it the best time of year for exploring the park!)

Prize Includes

Nelson Tasman Tourism