Wakefield, Nelson

The lovely little village of Wakefield is half an hour drive south of Nelson.

Sculpture in Wakefield, Nelson Wakefield town centre and war memorial It is a delightful rural enclave in the Tasman region. Wakefield is central to the Tasman region's three stunning national parks - Nelson Lakes, Kahurangi and the Abel Tasman.

Wakefield has a wonderful sense of history. Wakefield Primary School is New Zealand's oldest school and has been in continuous use since 1843. The picturesque St John's Church, built in 1864, is New Zealand's second oldest surviving church.

With a pleasant village atmosphere, Wakefield is self-sufficient with its own small supermarket, cafes, tearooms, pharmacy, hairdressers, doctors' surgery, vets, community library, toy library, a hotel, farm stores and even a police station. The region is packed with museums, art and craft galleries, vineyards and outdoor pursuit facilities.

Welcome to the great outdoors. Wakefield and the surrounding Tasman region offers walking, tramping, horse riding, cycling and alpine sport opportunities. The winding valley roads are a playground for cyclists and the Tasman coastline has lovely swimming beaches. The many rivers are very popular for swimming and diving. Wakefield has tennis courts, a cool bike park and a pretty golf course. The fabulous Tasman Great Taste Cycle Trail goes right through Wakefield.

The village parks, Faulkner Bush, Waikari Reserve and Edward Baigent Reserve are popular camping and picnic areas. These parks are home to some of the very few remaining areas of podocarp forest that once covered the Waimea Plains. Take a stroll through the lush vegetation, listening to the tuneful calls of tuis and bellbirds, marvel at the colour and antics of the keruru and enjoy the sweet fresh air. If you're feeling energetic continue up the terrace track to the lookout with great bird's-eye views over the village to the Waimea inlet and over to Nelson.

Higgins Park is home to the Pigeon Valley Steam Museum, Rover Car Club, Nelson Vintage Engine and Machinery Club and the Historic Transport Museum Trust. The park is 'on steam' the first Sunday of every month with rides available behind the Traction Engine and around the Bush Tramway on the Rail Jigger. The park is always open to the public and is a great place to take a picnic and let the littlies play on the playground.
If looking for a luxury bed and breakfast in Wakefield click here for the Snowball Manor or look at the vacancy list below for other Wakefield accommodation options.

Upcoming Events x

16th October - 5th November DoC Kiwi Ranger 16th October - 5th November Motueka Sunday Market 16th October - 5th November Wellby Talking Cafes 16th October - 5th November Music with Meech & Co - Nelson 16th October - 5th November Takaka Library Building Bricks Club 16th October - 5th November Pretty Crafty Market - Richmond 16th October - 9th November Community Lunch at Riverside - Wednesdays 16th October - 5th November Nelson-Stoke Business Networking - 8am Tuesday Morning Meetings 16th October - 5th November Free Meditation and Mindfulness Training 16th October - 5th November Richmond Park Sunday Market 16th October - 5th November Takaka Village Saturday Market 16th October - 5th November Higgins Heritage Park Steam-Up Open Day - Wakefield 16th October - 5th November Willow Bank Heritage Village, Wakefield 16th October - 5th November Library Story Time and Small Time at the Nelson Libraries 16th October - 5th November Tasman District Libraries 16th October - 5th November Richmond Business Networking 8am Meetings 16th October - 5th November Nelson Central Business Networking - 8am Thursday Morning Meetings 16th October - 5th November Sunday Meditation - Upper Moutere 18th October Kai Resilience Hui - Golden Bay 18th October Paint & Sip - Moutere Hills Winery - Fox & Grape Bar 18th October Mapua Sprig & Fern 10k Fun Run & Walk 26th October Ngatimoti Festival 28th October - 9th December Age Concern - Living Well Series - Motueka Library - Tuesdays 31st October Halloween - Ghosts and Goblins - Washbourn Gardens 5th November Willowbank Heritage Village - Welcome Wednesday 21st-23rd November Nelson/Richmond A&P Show 1st December - 27th January Mapua Wharf Sunday Market 6th December Country Christmas Market - Moutere Hills 6th December Moutere Country Christmas Market 2nd January Riwaka Market Day 7th-8th March NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show - St Arnaud 18th March Willowbank Heritage Village - Welcome Wednesday COPY



The Abel Tasman, RD2 Upper Moutere, Nelson, New Zealand
Email: info@theabeltasmanblablabla.co.nz

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