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Sunday, 20 May, 2012 |
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Nelson/Golden BayNelson/Golden Bay area updated December 2011 Bouterey's Restaurant & Bar, 251 Queen Street, Richmond Bouterey's won first equal "Best Smart Dining Regional" at Cuisine NZ Restaurant Of The Year Awards 2010 (DineOut reviews). To find out more about the food scene in Nelson visit www.eatdrinknelson.co.nz. If you like to dine over the water Boat Shed Cafe at 351 Wakefield Quay might be what you're looking for (DineOut reviews).
Chocoholics can visit Cocoa The Heart of Chocolate at 173 Hardy Street. Treat yourself to some Kiwi combinations like hokey pokey and lemon and paeroa. All of the chocolates are made in their factory and are gluten free. There are a few tables outside and in if you want to enjoy some chocolate with coffee. Lambretta's Cafe - Bar, 204 Hardy Street www.lambrettascafe.co.nz Lambretta's is a tribute to the Italian made Lambretta motor scooter and one of the walls in the cafe has photographs of the pit stops where the Lambretta sticker has been taken. On the food front, a lean machine breakfast is $14 and I can recommend the home made muffins (DineOut reviews). Open Monday - Saturday from 8am and Sunday from 9am. Lambretta trivia - "The Killermeters" had a hit song "sx225", an ode to the Lambretta motor scooter (The MayDay Scooter Club). If you're really keen you can listen to sx225 here. To find more themed and unusual cafes visit our Unusual Cafe Guide.
Scooter/Bike Hire If you'd like to get around on your own scooter City Motorcycles offer half day rental from $45. There's a few bicycle hire options including Nelson Bike Rentals, Nelson Cycle Hire and U Bike. U Bike on the corner of Ajax and Collingwood Street hire electric bikes as does a2b-ecycles at 2c South Street.
Indian Cafe, 94 Collingwood Street and The Free House www.theindiancafe.com The saffron coloured Indian Cafe was extra busy the Friday night we visited, and we appreciated being found a table without a reservation. The food was delicious and service was fast, especially given how busy the restaurant was. A meal and drinks for two was around $40 so it's also a great value dining option (DineOut reviews).     Across the road in a converted church you'll find The Free House craft beer bar, over 295 different craft beers have been served since 2009. You're welcome to bring your take-away dinner from the Indian Cafe, it gets busy though so you might like to find a table before your order. Open 7 days. Creative Tourism www.creativetourism.co.nz Take part in an interactive workshop with a Kiwi flavour - make a pavlova, learn about the cheese making process or try your hand at harakeke (flax) basket weaving (Rankers reviews). Nelson markets - Montgomery Square, 8am-1pm Saturday; Flea market Sundays 9am-1pm, same location. Both markets are well worth a fossick. At the Saturday market you will find dyed rainbow coloured socks, wild game dishes, jewellery, NZ made thermals and inventive uses for aluminium cans. The Nelson Farmers' Market is held every Wednesday, 12-4.30pm at Fashion Island, Hardy Street, Nelson.
South Street Gallery, 10 Nile Street West www.nelsonpottery.co.nz South Street gallery is full of colourful pottery. A few doors away on historic South Street there are a collection of 1860's cottages, a few are available as short term accommodation. The Nelson area is home to plenty of artists and creative people and there are guides you can pick up at the i-SITE that will lead you on a creative trail including Nelson Potters and Nelson's Creative Pathways.
The Suter Art Gallery, 208 Bridge Street www.thesuter.org.nz The Suter is one of New Zealand's oldest galleries and was established in 1898. Local art and craft is for sale in The Suter Store. We happened to visit on a Saturday, our timing was right as entry is free on Saturday, although at $3 admission it won't break the budget. The Suter Theatre is also onsite - visit the website for film schedules. If you're looking for a peaceful spot for lunch The Suter Cafe looks into Queens Gardens. Events in the Nelson area - www.itson.co.nz Global Soap, 117 Nile Street www.globalsoap.co.nz If you'd like to stretch your legs by walking a little way outside the town centre take a walk to Global Soap. Once inside you will be rewarded with scents like ginger spice, rose, lime, and citrus mint. Other products include lip smoothies and soap nuts (natural laundry detergent). Open Tuesday to Friday, 9am - 5pm; Saturday 10am - 3pm, or visit the stall at the Nelson market.
Ka Pie Kiwi Kitsch'n, 91 Nile Street (corner Nile & Alton) If you're a fan of the Kiwi pie Ka Pie arguably serve some of the best - they're made onsite with butter, free range eggs and other quality ingredients. There's a large selection to choose from, flavours change daily and can include lamb and mint; rabbit; beef and blue cheese; and bacon and cream cheese. Priced from $5.50 they're not the cheapest pies around but Mike's a pie fan and they were kapai (good) enough for him to get seconds. There's also sandwiches, cakes, milk shakes and ice cream sodas on the menu.
The name of the cafe spells out the decor - Kiwiana, kitsch or stuff you'd find at nana's house if it hasn't changed much since the 60's or 70's. Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is next door so it can get busy with staff and students at lunch time during term time. Ka Pie hosts a Craft and Vintage Market on Saturdays from 11am - 3pm, confirm dates at the cafe, it may be monthly or weekly depending on the time of year. Unfortunately I didn't confirm the opening hours, phone - 03 546 3111. Where We Stayed - Trailways Hotel Nelson, 66 Trafalgar Street www.trailways.co.nz Trailways Hotel is a four star plus rated hotel and we've stayed twice, once for $99 (via wotif) and a second time at a Sunday Special rate of $111 (via their website). Trailways is a slick operation and we recommend it. It's a short walk to the city centre, the rooms are immaculately clean, facilities modern, and the under floor heating in the bathroom would be a bonus in winter. I was impressed on both occasions that there were quality magazines in the room. The Tides Restaurant was too pricey for us to dine but we did have a few drinks in the bar that looks out over the water. Check out Trailways on TripAdvisor. Curious Nelson Unusual Accommodation - Plenty of alternative life stylers and creative people live in the Nelson region and this is reflected in the types of accommodation available. One of the most unusual accommodation options we've seen in NZ is The Boot B&B in Tasman. Visit our Unusual Accommodation Guide to see more unusual accommodation options around the country.
World of Wearable Art & Collectible Cars Museum, 95 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook (8km from Nelson city) www.wowcars.co.nz The World of Wearable Art show began in Nelson in 1987 however it outgrew its origins and moved to Wellington in 2005. More than 35,000 people attend the show each year and in 2012 it makes its debut outside NZ. I've attended two WOW shows and highly recommend them. If you can’t make it to a show in Wellington the museum is your next best opportunity to learn about and see wearable art in New Zealand. As well as wearable art there is a collection of classic cars and motorbikes. Open 7 days, 10am - 5pm (except Christmas Day - 25 December).
For your iPod: Sharon O'Neill was born in Nelson but now lives in Australia, she is a self taught musician who made her mark on the NZ music scene. For a taste of her late 1970s and early 1980s music listen to Words, Maxine and Don't Say No To Tomorrow. Originally from Nelson, the Electronic band Minuit have taken their sound on tour to Russia, Vietnam & Prague. Visit Minuit's website to listen to their latest remix EP - Dance Music Will Tear Us Apart. (November 2010) On route to Motueka you can visit Mapua for an ice cream, a fish 'n' chip lunch by the water or a cafe meal. Browse through the Cool Store Gallery and Mapua Country Trading Co. Craft beer drinkers may like to visit Golden Beer Brewing Company for craft beer and food inspired by Mexico and the Old American West. For more craft beer options visit Brewpubs.
Curious Mapua Mapua Leisure Park is New Zealand's only clothes optional leisure park, to be clothed or not be clothed, it's up to you. Kaiteriteri/Abel Tasman National Park
www.experiencekaiteriteri.co.nz Abel Tasman National Park - www.doc.govt.nz Kaiteriteri Beach, Kaiteriteri (13km from Motueka on the way to the Abel Tasman) www.kaiteriteribeach.co.nz Kaiteriteri is another example of a stunning NZ beach. Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp is opposite (Rankers reviews). Abel Tasman National Park, one entry point - Marahau (approximately 20 kms from Motueka) www.doc.govt.nz Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park in NZ, but it's the most visited. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is one of the country's "Great Walks" and can be completed in 3-5 days (distance: 52km). It's a 3.5 - 4 hour walk between huts making it suitable for families. If you don’t have the time (or the inclination) for long walks and overnight stays you can still get a taste of the seaside track in a day, either on foot or in a kayak. I've driven to Marahau and walked a section of the track and returned on the same day. Wilsons Abel Tasman offer some one day options. At the entrance to the park in Marahau you will see some impressive wood carvings. A unique accommodation option in the park is Aqua Packers (a floating backpackers) - Trip Advisor reviews.
Downtown Takaka Takaka is a laid back community of approximately 1100 residents, it's got a creative vibe and a colourful main street .... (you'll find Golden Bay's only supermarket on Willow Street as well as the i-SITE).
Wholemeal Café, 60 Commercial Street, Takaka www.wholemealcafe.co.nz If you like your food wholesome and healthy the Wholemeal Cafe is a great place to eat and there is a real sense of community about the cafe. The owner has published two cook books if you'd like to recreate the food at home. Open 7 days.
Where We Stayed - Sans Souci Inn, Pohara - information coming soon. Downtown Collingwood Collingwood is a quiet, tiny village and is the gateway to Kahurangi National Park (Heaphy Track is one of NZ's "Great Walks") and Farewell Spit. The tiny Collingwood Museum is on Tasman Street along with Collingwood Cafe. (Courthouse Accommodation and Cafe wasn't operating when we visited in November 2011 and the business was for sale).
Rosy Glow Chocolate Shop, 54 Beach Road Rosy Glow sells couverture chocolate from a pink villa on Beach Road. It's a delightful chocolate shop with equally lovely staff. The chocolate is up there with the best we've had, flavours include rum and raisin; cherry cobbler; almond; coffee; and cashew crunchy (individual chocolates $4.50). I was so enamoured by Rosy Glow that I forgot to ask about opening hours, we visited on a Sunday in November 2011 and I was surprised and pleased to find the shop open. There's not a lot of information on the web about Rosy Glow but phone 03 524 8348 to confirm the hours.
The Naked Possum - Cafe/Possum Shop/Rata Nursery/Charitable Trust www.nakedpossum.com Wild game pies, the Kaituna River platter, light meals and snacks are on the menu at The Naked Possum, there's also vegetarian options. The cafe is licensed and serves local beer, wine and cider. Open daily 10am-4pm and late Friday and Saturday evening. Kaituna Track is next door and there are short walks from 20 minutes to 2 hours. The Sleepy Possum is a short walk away if you'd like to stay the night. (The Naked Possum is located 14km inland from Collingwood, visit the website for directions). Note: Visit Facebook for updates, the business is under new ownership from November 2011.
Farewell Spit, 20-30 minutes drive north of Collingwood Farewell Spit is a renowned bird sanctuary, it's a good place for a long walk but if you want to reach the old lighthouse and gannet colony you will need to join an organised tour. Two tour providers are Farewell Spit Eco Tours (Rankers reviews) and Farewell Spit Nature Experiences (Rankers reviews). Paddle Crab Cafe looks out over the spit, the business was for sale when we visited (November 2011). The view is great, the cafe less so, DineOut may provide useful updates.
For the second year in a row Wharariki Beach walking track (near Farewell Spit) has been voted the "Top Short Walk in NZ" by Rankers reviewers, additional information from Department of Conservation. The Langford Store, Aorere Valley (20 minutes inland of Collingwood) www.langfordstore.co.nz If you're heading to Heaphy Track you'll pass The Langford Store, built in 1928. The current owner is the great grand daughter of Edward Langford who arranged for the store and post office to be built after insufficient funds were provided by the Government of the day. These days The Langford Store houses all sorts of items from days gone by and has colourful tables and chairs outside for those who would like tea and a sweet treat. There's also a small art gallery onsite. Visit the website to check hours.
Curious Collingwood Because we like curious things here at thecuriouskiwi I was interested to read about the annual "A Gnome Away From Home" weekend in Collingwood. The event is held in the last weekend in August and involves activities like gnome racing, gnome tossing (smash!) and gnome bungy. Gnomes travel free on the Farewell Spit eco tour and gnome owners travel at half price. If you would like more information contact: enquiries@farewellspit.co.nz. St Arnaud is a 1-2 hour drive from Nelson or Blenheim. There's not a lot to do in St Arnaud in the evening but swinging your legs off the jetty as you watch the sun setting over Lake Rotoiti may be entertainment enough for some. You can camp on the shores of the lake in a DOC camping ground or book in to one of the other accommodation options in the area. Camping here was memorable because of the large rabbits that were hopping all over the tent sites. (The sand flies were less welcome guests).
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