At the top of Trafalgar Street, where one of Nelson's main streets ends, a broad granite staircase climbs Church Hill to Christ Church Cathedral. Known also as the Cawthron Steps, they were built in 1912 and 1913 using granite quarried from Tonga Bay, in what is now Abel Tasman National Park. The steps were funded by Thomas Cawthron, the founder of the Cawthron Institute, one of New Zealand's leading independent science research centres. The staircase features elements of Gothic church architecture spread across 6 flights to the hilltop. The hill itself, known to Māori as Piki Mai, was used as a fortified pā long before European settlers arrived in 1841. The cathedral that crowns the steps has a layered history. The first church on this site was completed in 1851. The construction of the cathedral we see today began in 1925 and was consecrated in 1972.
The Church Steps sit right at the threshold of upper Trafalgar Street's pedestrian zone and is one of the most relaxed corners of the city centre. The precinct offers outdoor dining, hammocks, colourful planter boxes, festoon lights, and occasional live performances, making it a natural spot to grab a meal and then stroll up the steps for a view back down over the city. Several restaurants and cafes cluster around here, drawing a steady mix of locals and visitors from morning coffee through to evening dining.
Christmas Eve is one of the best times to experience the Church Steps. Each year, the popular Carols on the Steps takes place. This candlelit singalong is led by local musicians and the Cathedral choir. It is a relaxed, community focused gathering that has become one of Nelson's most cherished summer traditions.
Shortly after the Carols the Church Steps also take centre stage on New Year's Eve. It's a family friendly event that kicks off at 6pm with entertainment for children and a kids' countdown at 9pm. Live bands perform on stage to entertain the crowds, with people dancing and enjoying the party atmosphere, building toward the midnight countdown. Local food carts set up in the area, and the surrounding restaurants do a busy trade. For visitors spending summer in Nelson, it is one of the liveliest nights on the calendar.
Panorama taken during a Nelson Art Market event with Comrad Z performing.
