From our house it's a short walk (20mins) to the Queen St and Richmond Mall shopping which has pretty much everything you need, including cafes with proper espresso coffee. Also within walking is the Richmond tennis club (not that you'll need it since you'll have your own home court!). We leave an older but perfectly fine car on site, and it's just a short drive to many attractions - World of Wearable Arts, Pic's Peanut Butter World, historic Nelson city centre, and the amazing Tahunanui beach which also features a hydro-slide, mini golf, NatureWorld, indoor roller skating, bumper cars, trampolining and more! In the other direction, a relaxed brief country drive will take you to the many wineries, restaurants and artisan workshops of the area. Mapua is also just 12 minutes drive and has lovely restaurants, a wine bar, Golden Bear craft beer brewhouse, local ice-creamery, and art galleries.