Nelson, Richmond and Motueka

Nelson, Richmond and Motueka Travel Guide

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Introduction

144km (89 miles) W of Picton; 226km (140 miles) NE of Westport; 424km (263 miles) N of Christchurch

Nelson is the sunniest playground in New Zealand. Its 2,500 hours of annual sunshine, tranquil waters, gold-sand beaches, vineyards, and craft activities make it one of the most popular destinations in the country. And the good thing is, this applies to winter as well. While the rest of the country is lashed with foul winter chills, Nelson sits in a sheltered haven, blissfully unaware of everyone else's discomfort.

Perhaps this accounts for why the area is one of the last bastions of alternative lifestylers, especially in the Takaka-Golden Bay area. Immigrating Europeans and Americans have sought it out, too, so you'll find plenty of mixed accents among the locals.

The combined population of Nelson City and nearby Richmond is about 51,000. An hour's drive east is the small town of Motueka, population 12,000, and between the two is an area rich in tourist pickings. This is...

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  • Shelbourne Villa - Nelson, Richmond and Motueka
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    • Shelbourne Villa

    • Wayne and Val Ballantyne have converted their two-story 1929 villa into a pleasurable oasis offering four lovely room choices. I'd opt for The...

  • Long Lookout Gardens - Nelson, Richmond and Motueka
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    • Long Lookout Gardens

    • David and Yvonne Trathen are not wrong when they say that the hardest thing you'll ever have to do is leave Long Lookout Gardens. As a lover of...

  • Kingsland Court Motel - Nelson, Richmond and Motueka
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    • Kingsland Court Motel

    • Location.
      Kingsland Court Motel is located in Nelson, close to Tahunanui Beach Reserve, World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars, and Nelson...

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