WHAT TO DO

Famous for both its wineries and

cycling trails, it’s hard to decide

which to experience if you’re pushed

for time in Nelson. Well now you don’t

have to with VeloVino tours – offering both

cycling and winery tours. The culmination of

husband-and-wife team Glenn and Juliane

Cormier makes for the perfect combination

as Glenn is an avid cyclist and Juliane a

certified wine professional. This duo can do

no wrong as they cater to all tastes with

customised tours, showcasing the best this

beautiful region has to offer.

Due to changeable weather, we opted for

the wine tour with Juliane who picks us up

from our accommodation in a comfortable

Mercedes van. We’re well impressed by the

wineries she’s chosen, notably sustainable

and organic ones, something Nelson is well

known for. We’re keen to sample the great

range of wines each vineyard grows and of

particular interest was boutique Rimu Grove

Winery and Woollaston, where we enjoyed

listening to a beautiful string quartet play in

the outdoor area after our wine tasting.

Juliane provides a wealth of knowledge on

the different types of grapes that grow in this

diverse region and the process involved in

producing such a great variety of wines.

Since opening the doors in October 2001,

the World of WearableArt and Classic Cars

Museum has been an iconic attraction of

Nelson and allows visitors to enjoy the WOW

experience all year round. Visitors have the

opportunity to view the intricate detailing of

amazing garments that feature in the

WearableArt Gallery. Each year, hundreds of

individuals are driven to transform an idea

into reality, by designing entries. Each

garment embodies hours of energy, skill and

mind-bending creativity. With over 60

garments from around the globe on display to

wondrous effect, using theatrical lighting,

music and movement, you’ll be amazed at

what can be created with some imagination.

In the adjoining Classic Cars Gallery,

motoring enthusiasts can marvel over

approximately 40 beautifully restored and

original condition classic cars and

motorcycles. The car collection represents

years of passionate sourcing from around the

world and New Zealand and is one of

Australasia’s largest private collections. An

optional extra for car-lovers is the Classic

Collection, an additional area displaying a

further 70 classic vehicles, including several

undergoing restoration – definitely worth

seeing, especially for the true fans!

WHERE TO STAYConveniently located a short drive from

Nelson Airport is Accor’s picturesque Grand

Mercure Monaco Resort on the water’s edge.

This luxury boutique accommodation looks

like something out of an English countryside

village. With 20 boutique rooms, a range of

cosy self-contained cottages and delightful

studios, the hotel provides a wonderful

setting out of Nelson city. Set within the

gardens, complete with climbing roses,

individually planted window boxes and French

doors opening to courtyards on the Village

Green or river. The cottages are split level

with the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs

Sunshine, cycling and brewing

Nelson is the “sunshine capital” of New Zealand, but its claim extends beyond this with the

recent addition of “cycling centre” and “craft brewery capital”.

SARAH WEEKS escapes the busy pace of city life and visits a region offering kayaking, walking, skiing, bustling cafes, funky art galleries,

craft breweries and wineries.

27TRAVEL DIGEST, May 2013

NELSON

and an open plan lounge and kitchen

downstairs, while the studios are one level

with one bedroom, featuring a super king

split bed, bathroom and separate lounge and

dining area with kitchenette. You awake to

views of the Village Green, Nelson’s mountain

range and even a friendly flock of ducks

greeting you at the front door!

Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner in

the fabulous Orangerie Restaurant

overlooking the tidal inlet and mountain

ranges. Having recently won awards for both

its food and service, you can enjoy a wide

selection of both continental and cooked

breakfast buffet. Also located at the resort is

About Beauty, a haven for relaxation,

wellbeing and of course, making you feel

beautiful from the inside out. Set within a

gorgeous red brick cottage found along a

cobblestone footpath, you can pamper

yourself at this luxurious beauty salon. Their

qualified beauty therapists give you the best

treatment, making you feel relaxed and

refreshed. During my stay, I opt for the hot

stone therapy massage and a pedicure – the

perfect way to rejuvenate my tired body and

feet after a three-day walk through the Abel

Tasman National Park. The massage

improves muscular aches and pains as the

feeling of liquid heat rolls over your body –

pure bliss!

Muritai Manor is a beautiful historic B&B

set amongst a semi-rural, seafront location

only a few minutes drive from Nelson.

Originally built in 1903, it was purchased in

1905 by Archdeacon Wright, who managed

local parishes. His family lived in the house

until the 1920s and since then the previous

and current owners have extended and

altered the main house to bring this fine old

Edwardian building back to its former glory.

With five guest bedrooms to choose from,

each with their own unique style and ensuite

bathroom, a guest dining room, guest lounge,

off-street parking, extensive gardens, solar

heated outdoor swimming pool and outdoor

heated spa (hot-tub), you’ll feel right at home

in this prestigious property.

Proud owners Alex and Julia Hunter

provide a warm welcome when you arrive,

serving local wine and homemade nibbles to

guests each evening – you feel as if you’re

visiting old friends! Having moved here from

the UK for the “good life”, they’ve

transformed this historic estate into a

delightful accommodation surrounded by a

beautiful garden with a small flock of hens,

which are free to roam plus a beehive to

produce their own honey. Breakfast is one of

the highlights of your stay as Alex and Julia

make their own homemade muesli, yoghurt

and the freshly laid eggs from their hens are

so tasty! They can also recommend local

restaurants, cafes and wineries to visit during

your stay. A wonderful stay with the

friendliest hosts – I wouldn’t hesitate to stay

here again!

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINKMcCashin’s

Brewery is one of

the many reasons

why Nelson is

commonly referred

to as the craft

brewery capital of

New Zealand.

Originally the

Rochdale Cider

Factory, the

McCashin family

purchased the

factory in 1980,

which had been

making cider for 50

years. They continue

the tradition today,

with an improved

recipe and even

winning several

awards. Today the

brewery is still a

family business, but

has expanded to

include a distinctive

range of beer, cider

and spirits, lovingly

handcrafted from

traditional recipes

that have been the

pride of the McCashin family for almost 30

years. Their brewery is unique in that they

use natural organic ingredients, including

pure palaeo water sourced from an aquifer.

They pride themselves in using no chemicals,

preservatives, sugar, artificial colourings or

flavourings. Stop by and try one of their beers

or ciders – you’ll taste the difference. They

also offer brewery tours, which give you an

interesting insight into the process

World of Wearable Art and Classic Cars Museum.

CLIFFTOPS RETREATLUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN RUBY BAY NELSON NEW ZEALAND

29TRAVEL DIGEST, May 2013

NELSON

involved in making these refreshing

beverages. After you’ve been behind the

scenes, you can enjoy a tasting of their

range – the perfect way to relax on a

sunny afternoon.

If time permits, visit the great little

seaside village of Mapua on the Ruby Coast,

just a half-hour drive north-west of Nelson.

Its main hub is Mapua Wharf where old fruit

cool stores have now been converted into

galleries, boutique design stores and cafés.

We decide to lunch at Jellyfish Café and Bar,

a great restaurant, which produces fresh

local food with a Mediterranean twist. Being

right on the wharf, you’ll enjoy great views of

the harbour and neighbouring Rabbit Island.

The restaurant’s creativity is evident from

their menu and their tuna salad with orange,

shaved fennel, roast olives, mixed leaves and

a smoked tomato dressing, definitely packs a

punch and is full of flavour. It’s no wonder

their head chef and joint owner Mark

Mehalski was awarded Head Chef of 2012 at

the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for

Excellence. Fantastic food, great views and

friendly people.

One of Nelson’s top restaurants is Ford’s

Restaurant & Bar in a beautifully renovated

historic villa in upper Trafalgar Street, just

south of the Cathedral Steps in the central

business district. Open for breakfast, lunch

and dinner, head chef Jessie Verhoef and her

team, create contemporary cuisine mixing

European influences with unique New

Zealand flavours. The restaurant provides a

perfect setting for a romantic dinner for two

– choose from outdoor seating in the sun or

elegant furnishings indoors. Their chargrilled

game fish with roast pumpkin and ricotta

polenta, green beans, cherry tomatoes, soft

egg and a black olive and anchovy dressing

will excite your taste buds combining great

flavours and the vanilla bean crème brulee

with biscotti and fresh berries is creamy

yet tart – the perfect way to end a great

night out.

Morrison Street Cafe is another great local

gem. Upon arrival, the place is packed and

you can barely find a table to sit – a great

sign! As it’s name suggests, the cafe is

located on the corner of Morrison Street and

Hardy Street in Nelson’s central business

district. Housed in a historic building, the

cafe has a very homely feel to it; full of great

smells and sounds. We manage to squeeze in

at the end of a large wooden table and it’s

not long before we receive quick and friendly

service. Dining for lunch, I opt for a light

lunch, marinated lamb with grilled

Mediterranean vegetables – a delightful tasty

and filling feast that hits the spot. Their

coffee is also really good.

New Zealand Fitness

Balcony on the historic Muritai Manor

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30 May 2013, TRAVEL DIGEST30