Nelson is at the TOP of the South Island.

It was one of the first European cities in New Zealand, being settled in the early 19th century which gives Nelson a certain charm for its With 45,000 inhabitants.

Today it is has become a major center for the arts in New Zealand. Don't miss the Art Market every Sunday. If the arts is not up your alley, then go and explore some of the amazing national parks nearby, which make great day trips.

At Te Pukatea (Golden) Bay, there a perfect crescent of the most golden of sand, that the colour almost looks unreal.

Named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who first visited the region in 1642, the National Park is New Zealand's smallest.

A walking track leads up Pitt Head to an ancient Maori pa (fort) site. Terracing and food pits are still visible, and it's easy to see why the location was chosen as a defensive site - the views are huge.

Visitors love the way the Abel Tasman National Park mixes physical exertion with beach life.

The strip of coast that falls within the boundaries of the park is highly distinctive. Granite and marble formations fringe the headlands, which are cloaked in regenerating native forest.

Native wildlife is an essential part of the scenery. Tui and bellbird song fills the forest; shags (cormorants), gannets and little blue penguins dive for their dinner; fur seals lounge on the rocks around the edge of Tonga Island.

The coastal track and other walks

Classed as one of New Zealand's 'Great Walks', the Abel Tasman's Coastal Track takes between 3 and 5 days to complete. The track is walkable at any time of the year. Expect to see lots of other walkers and day visitors in summer.

Crystal clearest water in Sthrn hemesphere-Waikoropupu springs near Nelson. Just before the main spring this water is 5m deep but looks deceptively shallow-it is 11c degrees.

Sea kayaking

A number of kayaking companies run guided tours from Marahau and Kaiteriteri. If you'd rather be independent, you can rent kayaks and stay at campsites, huts or lodges within the park - just as you would if you were hiking.

World of Wearable Art

World of Wearable Art is a museum devoted to promoting fashion designers with amazing designs. Designs are displayed alongside vintage and rare cars and other vehicles.