Nelson, New Zealand Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nelson_New_Zealand.jpg Author: Markus Koljonen
Nelson (Maori: Whakatū) is a city on the northern coast of South Island, New Zealand. It is located on the eastern shore of Tasman Bay. The city has a population of 45,500 people (2011 estimate) and an urban area of 60,000 people, the 9th most populous in New Zealand.
Nelson was named after Horatio Nelson, the British admiral and war hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. Established in 1841, it is the oldest city on South Island and the second oldest city in New Zealand.
Nelson began as an organised immigration brought forth by the New Zealand Company, which bought land from the Maoris and resold them to settlers, using the profit to finance the passage of artisans, laborers and their families. The plan was only partially successful, and the new township of Nelson languished as the initial laborers and artisans moved on to greener pastures.
Nelson Cathedral, Nelson Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nelson_cathedral.jpg Author: HuttyMcphoo
Today Nelson's economy is supported by the four main industries namely seafood, horticulture, tourism and forestry. It also has in Port Nelson the biggest fishing port in Australasia. With its well-preserved Victorian-era buildings, Nelson is today working hard to cash in on tourism. It also takes full advantage of the success of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy - a local goldsmith designed the ring in the movie.
Visiting Nelson
You can fly to Nelson Airport (NSN), the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand, from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. There are also bus services connecting Nelson with all the major cities and towns of South Island.
Sights & Attractions to visit in Nelson
ANZAC Park Landscaped park with the Cenotaph, Nelson's war memorial.
Centre of New Zealand A walking trail through the Botanical Reserve, a forested site where rugby game was played in New Zealand for the first time in 1870.
Church Hill Hill that takes its name from the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral. Interpretive signs provide details of Church Hill and some of its historic trees.
Nelson Market Makeshift market occupying the car park at Montgomery Square. This is where you can find a good variety of items on sale from crafts and toys to cheeses and even sushi.
Queens Gardens and Albion Square Gardens established in 1887 (though dating to much earlier), with trees as old as the garden. Next to it is Albion Square, lined with historic buildings of Nelson.
Suter Art Gallery One of the oldest art galleries in New Zealand, the Suter Art Gallery holds a trove of nationally significant paintings. Works by some of New Zealand's most renowned painters are shown here.
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Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson Cathedral, Nelson
