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Nelson - Backpacker reviews Visiting Nelson. A more than pleasant surprise - a review by David Griffiths Ask anyone who has been and they will tell you New Zealand is a country of unsurpassed beauty. Upon my travels around the 'Land of the Long White Cloud' with Kiwi Experience, it was one of the lesser-known places to me that became one of my favourite spots - which was a pleasant surprise. A surprise that was revealed following a drive through the stunning Marlborough Valley in the South Island, to Nelson, a small city with much to offer. Starting with the accommodation, the Kiwi Experience bus booked me in to the best hostel I stayed in whilst in New Zealand; Fern Lodge also known as 'the Prince Albert' (http://www.fernlodgenelson.co.nz). It well deserves its title as a 'posh backpackers', offering ensuite rooms and a central location. As far as food, the onsite Prince Albert bar offered a great roast lamb dinner at an affordable price. The Prince Albert also provides a tasting of a number of great New Zealand brewed beers. Overall it is a great base to start exploring the sunniest city in New Zealand. Nelson is also the gateway to New Zealand's smallest National Park, named after the Dutch navigator Abel Tazman. Using an aqua taxi (http://www.aquataxi.co.nz), the Abel Tazman National Park can be explored both by foot or kayak. I took in the Abel Tazman's golden sandy beaches and scenic coastal tracks on a cruise along the shoreline of the park before being dropped off for a coastal trek before being picked up at the end of the day by the Aqua Taxi. The journey involved high levels of information and history from the guide, whilst being able to view much marine wildlife, ranging from fur seals, stingrays and Blue Penguins. Even though it was an early pickup and start from Fern Lodge, it's a worthwhile day spent experiencing the nature of New Zealand. Moreover there are a number of cheaper activities that Nelson has to offer. A short walk from Fern Lodge is the Botanical Reserve, a starting point that leads up a hill to a marker representing the 'centre of New Zealand' (http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/aboutnelson/heritage/centre-of-NZ.htm). This vantage point, best observed at sunset, provides a magnificent vista over the city, harbour and mountain ranges that start the Southern Alps. In addition to Nelson's ample city centre, a vibrant market takes place each weekend in the car park at Montgomery Square. Furthermore, for Lord of the Rings fans you can also view the worlds most famous ring (http://www.jenshansen.com/collections/lordoftherings.aspx). On Selwyn Place, Jens Hansen Contemporary Gold & Silversmiths, can be found. They have the original prototypes of the small and large-scale versions of the 'One Ring' used in Peter Jackson’s movies, which can be viewed. Overall I found Nelson to be a genuine pleasant surprise during my time travelling the South Island. I believe it is a place well worth a few days to enjoy these activities and a number of others such as skydiving, before heading down the West Coast and exploring the rest of New Zealand.