Walking tracks through this 12-hectare reserve ascend Botanical Hill, where a spire proclaims the Centre of New Zealand. The actual centre is 55km southwest of here, but the views are great regardless. NZ’s first-ever rugby match was played at the foot of the hill on 14 May 1870.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Queen's Gardens

0.3 MILES

Immerse yourself in botanical history in this ornamental garden, founded in 1887 to commemorate the 50th jubilee of Queen Victoria's coronation. It's set…

2. Suter Art Gallery

0.35 MILES

Redeveloped in 2016 with a series of contemporary, light-filled exhibition spaces, Nelson’s public art gallery presents changing exhibitions from a…

3. Nelson Provincial Museum

0.66 MILES

This modern museum is filled with a jumble of cultural heritage and natural history exhibits with a strong regional focus, including an almost Easter…

4. Christ Church Cathedral

0.68 MILES

The enduring symbol of Nelson, Christ Church lords it over the city from the top of Pikimai/Church Hill. It's an unusual mix of Gothic and art-deco style,…

5. Founders Heritage Park

0.83 MILES

A collection of heritage buildings has been relocated to this site, 2km northeast of the city centre, creating a Victorian-era village complete with a…

6. Tahunanui Beach

2.69 MILES

Nelson's primo playground takes the form of a long sandy beach (with lifeguards in summer) backed by dunes and a large grassy park with a playground, an…

7. Nelson Classic Car Museum

3.42 MILES

Nelson is the birthplace of NZ's most eccentric fashion show, the annual World of WearableArt Awards (now staged in Wellington). You can see a selection…

8. McCashin’s Brewery

4.82 MILES

McCashin’s was a forerunner of the craft brewing craze in NZ, which started way back in the 1980s. Visit the historic Rochdale Cider building in Stoke …