Nelson

Essentials

Airline Contacts

Air New Zealand (0800/737-000 (NZ only). www.airnewzealand.co.nz.)

Sounds Air (03/520-3080; 0800/505-005 (NZ only). www.soundsair.co.nz.)

Airport

Nelson Airport (Trent Dr., Nelson, 7011. 03/547-3199.)

Airport Transfers

Super Shuttle (03/547-5782 or 0800/748-885.)

Bus Depot

Nelson (27 Bridge St., Nelson, 7010. 03/548-3290.)

Bus Contacts

Abel Tasman Coachlines (03/548-0285. www.abeltasmantravel.co.nz.)

Atomic Shuttles (03/349-0697. www.atomictravel.co.nz.)

InterCity (03/365-1113. www.intercity.co.nz.)

Emergencies

Fire, Police, and Ambulance (111.)

Hospital

Nelson Base Hospital (Franklyn St., emergency entrance; Tipahi St., main entrance, Nelson, 7010. 03/546-1800.)

Rental Cars

Apex (Nelson Airport, 4 Trent Dr., Nelson, 7011. 03/547-6800; 0800/939-597 (NZ only). www.apexrentals.co.nz.)

Avis (Nelson Airport, Trent Dr., Nelson, 7011. 03/547-2727; 0800/655-111 (NZ only). www.avis.co.nz.)

Hertz (Nelson Airport, Trent Dr., Nelson, 7011. 03/547-2299; 0800/654-321 (NZ only). www.hertz.co.nz.)

Visitor Information

Nelson i-Site Visitor Centre (77 Trafalgar St. at Halifax St., Nelson, 7010. 03/548-2304. nelsoni-site.org. www.nelsonnz.com.)

Best Bets for Cruise Passengers

Abel Tasman National Park. Bus-ride through to Kaiteriteri to join a boat tour along the Abel Tasman coast. Stop and kayak or walk a stretch, picnic at a secluded bay, then cruise back to Kaiteriteri, and on to Nelson.

Wine Tour. Take a guided tour through the hinterland. Check out some of the region's best wineries, enjoy a vineyard lunch, and buy some bottles to take home.

Art Tour. There are several tailored arts tours where you can meet some of the region's 300 working artists, visit their studios, and watch them at work.

City Wander. Spend the day walking around the city. Visit a few galleries, enjoy a café lunch, stroll along the riverbank, or do one of the city's heritage or art walking tours.