Nelson,
New Zealand
Nelson, New Zealand
111
For all emergencies.
Emergency Number
New Zealand Dollar ($)
Local Currency
54,500 (2022)
Population
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Local Time
UTC+12 until 3:00am on 28Sep25, then UTC+13
Time Zone
English
Māori
New Zealand Sign Language
Official/Primary Languages
Port Essentials
Everything you need to know for your visit to Nelson.
Cruise Terminal
General Information
New Zealand Dollar (NZD $).
Below we've listed some conversion rates for the New Zealand Dollar against popular international currencies. The exchange rates are based on 100 NZD, are refreshed once per day and were last updated on 03 Jul 2025
| Currency | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| USD | 60.66 |
| EUR | 51.61 |
| GBP | 44.45 |
| AUD | 92.32 |
| CAD | 82.28 |
| JPY | 8799.59 |
| CNY | 434.86 |
To convert custom amounts, or to see the exchange rate of the New Zealand Dollar against different currencies, try our currency converter by clicking the button below.
Credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Nelson. American Express and Diners Club are also accepted at some locations. Some stores may add a surcharge of around 2-3% for credit card use (particularly American Express and Diners Club).
Tap-and-pay systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Contactless payments are common, although smaller stores might charge a small fee for payWave.
General shop opening hours in Nelson, typically follow these hours. However, some exceptions occur during public holidays like Anzac Day, where most businesses are required to be closed until 1:00pm, with service stations and pharmacies generally remaining open.
It's always best to check specific store hours directly, especially during holidays.
Nelson offers several free WiFi options for both visitors and locals, especially in central public areas:
- Free WiFi hotspots are available throughout the city centre, funded by the Nelson City Council.
- Complimentary WiFi is provided in the Marina Customer Lounge and around the marina office.
- Free WiFi access is available during opening hours.
- One hour of free WiFi is available in the terminal.
Cafes and Restaurants
- Many independent establishments across Nelson offer free WiFi. Check in-store or on their websites for details.
Tip: While public WiFi is convenient, avoid accessing sensitive information such as banking apps or personal accounts. Use a VPN for added security.
PortQuest recommends Nomad eSIM
Whether you're checking maps, messaging friends, or booking last-minute tours, staying connected matters. That’s why we recommend Nomad eSIMs — one of the best travel eSIMs on the market (and we've tried a few!)
Nomad offers reliable, affordable data in over 100 countries, including most cruise ports. No physical SIM swap, no roaming surprises — just install and go.
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Transportation
Below is a list of common transport options for cruise ship visitors. We haven't included every possible choice — public transport, for example, is not listed since most visitors won't need it for a short, one-day stay.
Ride-share
Website: Click here.
Bike Rental
Website: Click here.
Website: Click here.
Website: Click here.
Phone: 03 545 9988
Private Bus
Website: Click here.
Phone: +64 3 359 9133
Phone: 027-4826370
Website: Click here.
Phone: (03) 548 1539
Website: Click here.
Phone: +64 3 391 0500
Taxi and Shuttle
Phone: 021 0876 7992
Nelson is a pleasant city to explore on foot, especially within the central city area where shops, cafes, markets, and galleries are all within a short stroll. Its compact city centre is one of its strengths, making it easy for visitors to wander and discover the local charm without needing a car.
The Nelson City Council has made pedestrian access a priority. Several initiatives aim to improve footpaths and crossings, and to encourage walking as a practical mode of transport. Vehicle speeds within the city centre’s ring roads are deliberately kept low (averaging under 30 km/ph), and the area features a mix of zebra crossings and courtesy crossings.
Nelson may not be entirely walkable in every direction, but its downtown core offers an easy, scenic walking experience.
Safety & Health
Call 111
Notes: For Police, Fire, or Ambulance in any life-threatening emergency.
Call 105
Notes: For non-emergency police matters, such as reporting a crime that is not in progress or providing information.
Call 0800 611 116
Notes: For free health advice from trained registered nurses, available 24/7.
Call 0800 764 766
Notes: For advice and information regarding poisoning, chemical exposure, or suspected overdose. Available 24/7.
Call 1737
Notes: Free call or text anytime for support from a trained counselor.
Call 0800 776 364
Notes: Nelson region from Rai Valley to Korere to Riwaka.
Call 0800 422 733
Notes: For maritime emergencies or distress calls. Dedicated to saving lives at sea.
Level 1 – Exercise Normal Safety Precautions
The security environment is similar to that of a large Australian city.
- Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour.
- Monitor media for changes to local conditions.
- Check entry requirements before you travel.
Not sure what these levels mean? Learn more about travel advice levels.
Smartraveller is the official travel advice service of the Australian Government. While primarily aimed at Australian citizens, PortQuest believes it offers practical, up-to-date safety guidance for travellers worldwide. See the full advisory on Smartraveller.gov.au .
Last updated: 17 Mar 2025
Weather
| °C °F | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Temp | 21.8 | 21.6 | 19.9 | 17.3 | 14.9 | 12.6 | 11.9 | 12.7 | 14.2 | 16.2 | 18.2 | 20.4 |
| Minimum Temp | 13.9 | 13.8 | 12.3 | 10.1 | 8.1 | 6.1 | 5 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 8.6 | 10.4 | 12.9 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 81 | 81 | 84 | 108 | 132 | 130 | 116 | 115 | 106 | 104 | 91 | 123 |
| Avg Rainy Days | 8 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| Daylight Hours | 14.8 | 13.7 | 12.4 | 11 | 9.8 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.8 | 13.2 | 14.4 | 15.1 |
| Avg UV Index | 9.1 | 8.4 | 7.3 | 5.5 | 3.8 | 2.6 | 3 | 4.5 | 6.3 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 9.1 |
Best Time to Visit
Cruise ships usually just spend one precious day in port — and we want to help you make the most of it.
To give you the best chance of an enjoyable visit, we’ve created a custom “Best Time to Visit” score for each month, unique to each destination. The score is calculated using factors that are likely to matter the most:
- Comfortable temperatures
- Lower rainfall and fewer rainy days
- More daylight hours
- Moderate UV levels
Each score is based on historical monthly averages and adjusted for each port’s climate. We weight the above factors — for example, long daylight hours and fewer wet days matter more when you're only ashore for part of the day. That's also why no month gets a 10/10, as there's always a trade-off. For example, warmer weather and clear skies comes with higher UV (and more sweat!).
This chart isn't meant to suggest that a port is bad to visit outside the highest rated months — each season provides something memorable for each location. But if you’re deciding when to cruise, this will hopefully give you the best chance of having perfect weather on your visit.
Temperature Chart
Rainfall Chart
UV Index Chart
1–2: Low
3–5: Moderate
6–7: High
8–10: Very High
>10: Extreme
Tours & Experiences
Each tour you see below has been selected for cruise ship visitors. For example, each tour has Free Cancellation, as most of us have experiened the stress of trying to refund a tour when a port visit is cancelled or an itinerary changed on short notice. They're also no more than 6 hours in length, leaving you plenty of time to make dinner on the ship, or explore the port further on foot.
By booking through our links, you help support PortQuest and allow us to continue providing valuable content to enhance your port visits (at no extra cost to you).
PortQuest Picks
Our team has hand-selected these tours to showcase the best and most unforgettable experiences each port has to offer — ones we've either personally enjoyed or have at the top of our bucket list.
Browse Tours
Best Abel Tasman Day trip
Our small group personalized day-trip is the best way to experience all the Abel Tasman National Park has to offer in comfort in one day. You get to meet other ...
Find out more
Private boat charter in Abel Tasman National Park
Our fully catered boat charter ensures you are able to experience the most of the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park in one day and in comfort. Hike, Swim, Kay...
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Wine Exposed Nelson Winery Tour
Embark on Wine Exposed Nelson, a journey where every sip tells a story! Discover Nelson's vibrant wine culture across its three distinct sub-regions. Guided by ...
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Self-guided E-bike cycle tour with private wine tasting
If you love wine and enjoy getting some exercise at the same time, this is the activity for you! We cater for groups, both large and small. This activity is un...
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Great Taste Beer Tour by Bicycle (Self-guided)
If you love beer and fancy getting some exercise at the same time, this is the tour for you! We cater for groups, big and small. This tour is unguided, but you...
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Quad Bike - Bayview Circuit
Our most popular quad bike tour - Explore over 14 km of beautiful native forest trails. Ride high to the hilltops, to spectacular coastal scenery, then down thr...
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Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park
Explore the National Park with a morning water taxi, a short walk and an afternoon sail. Board your water taxi at 10.30 am at Kaiteriteri Beach and cruise into ...
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SKYWIRE Experience
The Skywire is one of the Worlds longest Flying Fox experiences! - your trip starts from our Base area, onboarding a mini-bus journey up through the Native Fore...
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Abel Tasman Vista Cruise
We've been welcoming visitors to the spectacular Abel Tasman granite coast since 1841. Travel in style on our Vista Cruise. There's no need to go ashore to disc...
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Nelson Travel Map
Legend
Cruise Terminal
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