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Alert

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Heavy Rain Warning - Orange

An Orange heavy rain warning has been issued for Nelson this Thurs 3 April. Prepare for heavy rainfall and the possibility of rapidly rising rivers, streams and surface flooding. Please clear gutters and roadside grates to keep storm drains clear. We will share updates here and on our Facebook page.

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Recreational Activities in Nelson

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Dog Exercise Areas

Popular dog exercise areas include:

  • Branford Park
  • Botanical Hill
  • Corder Park
  • Eureka Park
  • Grampians Reserve and the Maitai Walkway (note when areas are grazed a lead must be used)
  • Marsden Valley Dog Park
  • Railway Reserve
  • Tahunanui Back Beach.

Please note that dogs are not permitted in Conservation Reserves (e.g. Maitai, Brook, Roding, Conservation Reserves).

Learn more about dog ownership in Nelson.

Learn more about the areas dogs are allowed. You can also see where dogs are prohibited or a lead is required on the Top of the South Maps webpage.

Disc Golf

Disc Golf course have been established at Saxton Field, Branford Park and Isel Park.

Drones

Drones or model aircraft can be launched and landed and flown above Nelson City Council-owned parks and reserves but that they come under the control of the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) and the Civil Aviation Rules Part 101.

For example, if drones are flown over private property, the owner or occupier’s permission must be obtained first. Drone use within 4km of an airport is also subject to a number of rules developed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Sighting of a drone hazard near Nelson airport will result in an emergency call to police as well as close the aerodrome and require aircraft to divert to another location. Please be aware of these rules when choosing where to fly your drone.

For more information on drone use in New Zealand can be found on www.airshare.co.nz.

Model aeroplanes

Wakapuaka Reserve Sand Flats, Nelson

Mountain biking

Check out our section on Mountain Biking here

Paragliding and hang gliding

Paragliding areas in Nelson include Barnicoat Range and Fringed Hill (which is part of an access agreement with Koata Ltd). Permission is required for vehicle access into reserves.

Skating

Nelson provides three skate parks for skaters to enjoy located at Neale Park (via the Sovereign Street entrance), Trafalgar Park (Paru Paru Road) and Stoke Youth Park (adjacent to Main Road Stoke on Marsden Recreation Ground).

The premier skate park is located Neale Park skatepark is Nelson's premier skatepark. The concrete is cast and curvey with the design shaped by our skating community's own ideas.

WHERE YOU CAN'T SKATE

The Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2023 states that skating is not allowed in the CBD areas of Nelson, Stoke and Tahunanui, as well as in the area of Victory Square shops. These restrictions are shown here.[CS4]

Swimming locations

Beaches

  • Cable Bay Reserve
  • Tahunanui Beach
  • Off Rocks Road steps, at high tide

Swimming Holes

  • Maitai River - Girlies, Black, Denne's and Sunday Holes
  • Wakapuaka River, Rest-a-while Reserve, Hira

Water quality information can be found on the LAWA website.

Trail walking and running

Check our our section on walking here.

Board riding (surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing)

Board riding occurs at the following locations in Nelson:

  • Surfing can occur at various locations including Schnappers Point and Cable
  • Windsurfing and kitesufing can occur in the Nelson Haven and Tahunanui Beach (back beach).

Please keep away from the Port operational area.

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