Founders Heritage Park is a museum village with a collection of historic buildings and machinery from Nelson's past.
While wandering through the village you can learn about Nelson's early history from around the 1880s to the 1930s and its trades, like fruit orchards and hop growing, to name just a few.
If you're interested in vintage vehicles you'll find some great exhibits: old bicycles, coaches, a fire engine named 'Dennis', a full-size Bristol Freighter aeroplane and some operating locomotives.
Some of the trains run on a short coastal railway track operated by the Nelson Railway Society, and you can take a ride. Have a look at the current train ride schedule.
During the warmer months Founders Park is the venue for several annual festivals and events, such as MarchFest (craft beer), the Kai Festival (international and traditional food), the Nelson Arts Festival, the Cider Festival and the Bookfair, amongst others.
Some artisan shops and a cafe in the park welcome all visitors. Also worth knowing is the Book Vault second-hand bookshop on site, and a pump track that is included with admission - suitable for bikes, scooters and skateboards, for all ages.
The park is open every day from 10am to 4.30pm, closed only on Good Friday and Christmas Day. [check: opening hours]
Founders Heritage Park is at 87 Atawhai Drive (State Highway 6), just north of Nelson city centre - a short drive from town towards the port and Atawhai [check: walking time from the city centre]. There is ample parking on site, including space for coaches.
The Miyazu Japanese Garden is close by on Atawhai Drive [check: is it next door?], so it's easy to combine both visits.
