1. WHAT TO DO
F
amous 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 STAY
Conveniently 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

2. 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 DRINK
McCashin’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 RETREAT
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION IN RUBY BAY NELSON NEW ZEALAND
29TRAVEL DIGEST, May 2013

3. 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