Reviews of Founders Heritage Park. (Museum) in Nelson (Nelson).
Founders Heritage Park
Founders Park 87 Atawhai Drive, The Wood, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
Description
Information of Founders Heritage Park, Museum in Nelson (Nelson)
Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.
This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!
Map
Open hours of Founders Heritage Park
Monday
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Tuesday
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Wednesday
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Thursday
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Sunday
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Popular times
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Reviews of Founders Heritage Park
J. M.From the get-go Gail at Reception is glowing with smiles, information and interesting stories. Upon entering the 'Village', it is just that! An extraordinary, working colonial village with a Montessori Kindy, a local community radio station FRESH FM 107.2 broadcasting a fabulous array of shows from Green Thumbs and Dirty Fingers gardening tips, A Women's World discussions issues effecting people on a global level to Local Music Students showcasing their original work. Directly across is a wholesome cafe/Bar with locally brewed craft beers, wine and deliciously healthy food.
There's a little museum, a Windmill, a Forestation and I believe even a small passenger train that takes people on a ride around the bay and back.
Look out for the events, shows or light extravaganza. There truly is a little something for everyone, Every time 🫶🏼
Photos are from the 'Illuminate' show. On every year and is a must see with fun and games for all ages 🤠
B. S.Founder is a peaceful place in the winter. Going in for a wander and a contemplate is lovely, especially if you time it with the open hours of the cafe. They make a good coffee!
I was there when they were setting up for the Illumination show. Went back at night , sorry no photos... it was so pretty and cute. Would definitely go back next year!
L. I.Great museum, takes you back 100 years where you can see how building and life was
M. C.Wonderful place to explore. Can spend a few hours there.
Unless there's an event on its usual free entry for locals or people going to the cafe.
Lots of things to check out -
heritage buildings and vehicles.
If you've got kids its nice to sit outdoor at the cafe and enjoy lunch next to the playground to keep an eye on them.
Buy tickets for the short train ride. It goes back and forth each way on two tracks and they have to change the end the locomotive is on each direction so it take a bit of time, maybe was an hour.
K. T.Maybe better to wait for summer before visiting, even with it being school holidays very little was open. Displays that were open were very well done.
C. C.Founders is a great place if you enjoy History. We visited for the Illuminate Nelson show and it was so much more magical.
D. B.An okay place to visit if you do not have a better option. You get to know about some heritage houses that, I believe, were lifted and shifted from different places around Nelson. It provides historical information about Nelson and has some fun places for kids.
A. t.Learned a lot about Nelson and the train ride made my day
B. G.This is a great cheap day out. About $11 per adult. I particularly enjoyed the beer & hop museum, some fascinating history in this area! Well worth a visit if you have time to spare. The on-site cafe is fantastic too.
L. J.Beautiful park which is 15 mins away from Nelson city town. Cost wise, for locals it’s free!
w.The Founders Heritage Park is a gem in Nelson's crown. My expectations were low considering entry was only eleven or so dollars. However it soon became clear how historically significant and visually pleasing the buildings were. Hundreds of items in the stores made me feel like I was in Back To The Future III. The amount of ships in bottles was astounding. I wish I only knew to bring some gold coins to operate the model trains in the train carriage.
T. F.very impressed with what has been done. Impressive displays of vehicles in particular. Sadly railway only operates on weekend. Would be great to see more businesses working from here.
J.Child friendly, lots of free activities you can enjoy with your kids. Friendly staff. A little outdated and many closed or restricted areas but over all still a good "walk in a park" saturday. Food from the cafe ranges from 15 NZD to 25 NZD, kiddie meals are also available.
c. s.Wow wee what a lovely evening all the hard work that was put into tonight's show .Thk you .
S. P.Omg, do this! Highly recommended if you are in Nelson. NZ may be a new country but so much to learn!
E. M.First of all: the staff is lovely. They offered to let us in for free because it was raining. The park is very fun and well curated. There is a mix of time periods and of actual buildings and replicas. The signs are very interesting and have personal stories. There are also many working businesses in the old buildings, giving everything a more alive feel. I definitely recommend coming here.
B. D.Great day out. The old buildings are incredible and many of them still house active businesses using the old techniques. The kids loved the old fire engines, buses and the aeroplane that you can go inside. Some weekends they run the train and some the railcar. You do pay extra for a ride but it’s a pretty decent train ride. Loads of history in the place, the cafe is decent and has nice food, coffee and beer. Well worth a visit. Nice and friendly for children
c. p.Very well presented and set out historical 'village'
Easy walking, great signal with details of the history of the buildings and people, including some Maori references.
The train was a great attraction for the kids.
Illumination event was well worth attending for all ages.
F. M.very surprised we had so much fun in this park.
Heaps of heritage building & collection. Great way to learn some local history & cultural. Inside of park is very clean too.
Can not believe the admission is only $7 per adult. really good value for money.
The only downside is their only cafe was closed when we were there.
So, we could not enjoy our lunch there. Hopefully they will find another business to carry on that lovely garden cafe.
recommend this amazing park to public. especially family people with children.
S. V. B.Loved this little village. Lots of buildings were closed which was a shame but the ones that were open were great. Enjoyable and well maintained
K. H.Enjoyed our day here. Love visiting outdoor museums. Had a look in the Bristol Freighter, sat in an old Newman's bus. Were even lucky enough to be there when a wedding was taking place.
A. K. S.Very finest place. How our heritage are preserved one should step in here to see, admire, praise and learn. Very good place to be with family and friends. Staff in the office were very welcoming. Love it.
L. M.Awesome. What a great stepback in history. Well worth a visit. $11.50 entry fee for adults
M. K.Impressed with this Founders Heritage Park, lots of places to visit within and a warmth cafe place with a playground in the back. There is this kids trail map where children follow to go around orderly. You can ride a train , but today it wasn’t open. The best, I think, is the real cargo plane for the 50’ parked in the lawn. You can go inside and see how it felt to fly back in the day. Worth a visit, the best spot in Nelson!
A. S.Fantastic place to go to learn about Nelson's heritage.
Try not to go on Mondays, as all the extra attractions are closed.
Fun little model train set across the tracks, and awesome ships in bottles
L. D. w.We had a very enjoyable walk among the pictoresque buildings filled with vehicles and article of days gone by. The park is beautifully maintained with many flowering shrubs. Informative panels explain historic details.
V. A.This is another famous place to visit while in Nelson. It takes you down memory lane of Nelson’s history and how life was in the early days. It’s unbelievable how they have managed to put together everything..it’s like traveling through time! Fee is pretty cheap...there’s $25 for a family of 4!!!Not bad!!
N. d. G.We did not exactly know what to expect but this museum about the history of the Nelson area is really nice. An outdoor museum with a station and an plane and many other cool things to see. Top.
a. a.AMAZING. This is a must visit if you ever visit Nelson. Ride the train with the young ones. Grab a bite break at the caffee. Walk around the old buildings, cars, plane and enjoy the kids play ground.
L. P.Some of the buildings are nice, but a lot of them are used now as event halls or shops which were closed on a Friday afternoon. Won't visit again
S. M.So great for kids. Fully fenced for safety. I love taking my toddler here with his balance bike to burn off some energy and look at all the old vehicles and buildings
S. P.A well laid out historic village with beautiful gardens & buildings. Train rides are fun and kids love them. Lovely art, culture & history presented in a cohesive and interactive display. Discover more on our website Southproud.co.nz
M. H.Fantastic Multicultural Festival today ! Huge crowd, Delicious food, Fabulous atmosphere 👍😀💖
C. C.Really well layed out village. Step back in time ☺️ Spent a lovely few hours here. The cafe/restaurant is great too.
J. H.Although the park has its highlights, it tends to present facts about things and places, rather than stories about people. The volunteer behind the counter wasn't exactly singing the praises of the park, or Nelson in general. "We don't really have much of anything" she confided.
One unintended upside of the park are the hilariously awful mannequins used in the railway displays. I’m laughing out loud at how weirdly inappropriate they are, often child or female noggins with mustaches stuck on them. We have “Baby Head”, “Aloof New Wave Model”, “Painted-on Sideburns”, and “Weekend at Bernie's Corpse Face.”
K. K.Loved this place but was disappointed that the shops in the park were not open (Cafe and a couple of others). I definitely would allow no less than 2 hours to explore as there is so much to see! And I was skeptical about it thinking there's no way it would take long haha. Train ride was neat too, the people were lovely
M. f.This photos have been taken during light in Nelson. But you can see the amazing potentiel if this place. If you go Nelson you need to pop by this place.
There a bar restaurant doing the most amazing food and beer :)
B. C.A paid park with a lot of good photo opportunities. It's just like a town.
G. D.Been here a few times and each time i see something different or hear a story from those working within on the past and sometimes present .. great for young and old to learn of past times.Wonderful displays.Great food in Cafe or if you just want coffee and a snack this can be had at the wee coffee shop on site
J. J.Absolutely magical and stunning! We've been on the Evolve Festival this year and it's been great! Lovely people, amazing nature.
S. R.Really, really enjoyed this historical place, such an amazing place.
The bar and cafe in the middle was a welcome surprise rest.
There is also a rail train rides plus an old bristol freighter airplane.
M. &. N. i. N.Super fun and educative, and a great place for awesome photos!
S. W.Such a great historical park that has heaps of information and can easily go back there again to soak in more of the pleasant atmosphere. Its full to the brim with history! Great for young through old and everything in between
M. S.Kids loved having a play around and we all enjoyed stepping in the past. The gentlemen operating the train made our day! They obviously loved doing what they do and it made the experience even better. The entry fee is very affordable, which made paying extra for the train also affordable. Being able to share in the past w our family was a good day out. The shops were all closed, but would love to come back when they are open. We were a bit worried about being locked in on a Sunday avo, even though we were leaving 15min early.
A. G.Went there on Waitangi Day (with a nice event)
The heritage village is well maintenanced with everything of a whole village....from hospital, train, windmill, church and so on...
I don't know the price of the entrance but I supose it's worth.
E.Amazing park and super friendly people.
H. H.Good place to look around, mix match of eveything for eveyone. Allow a few hours if you're going to read most signs. The cafe is only open some days which was a disappointment.
J. B.Loved it. Was a bit damp due to the rain, but a great showcase of heritage homes and stores and equipment. I was here for the Marchfest beer festival. Superb.
C. I.A fabulous look at the past, walking around the working village was a treat. The model trains terrific. We loved the photo stories of the early transport around the district. Well done.
T. L.A really fun place to take to family to for a few hours, there's also a short train ride there too
C. v. d. W.Founders is a great place for the family to relax with the kids running around. You can enjoy some craft beers at the Cafe while the kids play in the playground. Or enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat if you feel a bit hungry.
There is also an old train for short rides and many interesting othe exhibitions.
C. B.Wow , I didn't expect much but we spent hours there but only got half way. Staff were super friendly and the grounds were very clean and well kept. Thanks
C. H. T. &. C.Awesome place to bring the kids and for a family outing. Highly recommended
L. M.Went to the annual book fair. Popular event, loads of books and people.
The park is beautiful and very interesting. Cool buildings with different activities and interests to look at. Was raining, so didn't get to see a lot. Definitely go have a look.
Y. Y. Y.Good place to look at buildings and items dating back to the early 20th century.
Many display items bring back fond memories of our childhood, items are well maintained and displayed.
R. B.A fantastic venue and a great asset for Nelson.
Something to see for the whole family in a great environment
One of the best function venues in the country, with interesting buildings, lots of shade and shelter and multiple picnic places.
Cider festival is a keeper 👍🍾
T. M.It was ok. Just alot of looking around through windows. Has a daycare centre on site so had to keep quiet. If you like old town history then it may be for you.
Best park was the war memorial garden with the list of soldiers who served.
A. O.Interesting place
With a lot of restored /rescued buildings and equipment that was used in earlier times in Nelson
Educational worthy of a visit
N. V.Great outdoor museum giving you a glimpse of life in the past.
J. C.A great place to take the family. And an amazing event venue.
T. F.Cool place to see the history of the area. Wish we had done the mystery hunt but didn't realise untill we had allready walked halfway round everything.
C. B.My son says it was "good". Lots of interesting things to see and the existing businesses within the park give a certain liveliness. Would love to return when train is in operation.
K. T.The whole family will enjoy Founders, architecture, history, beauty and a stroll down memory lane.
R. C.I like browsing through a lot of books, as they had a lot of them arranged into different genres. the people there are very organized in that way. of which I don't mind that. at least I've got myself quite several books on travel, and the rest on Maori. so, this why I thought that anyone new to go along, would be a very good experience for all of you.
L. B.Great place, friendly staff. Very informative. Had lunch as well, was delicious. Can only recommend to visit the Founders Heritage Park when in Nelson.
S. a. P. S.Really cool spot, I went foe the Illuminate show. Was an awesome set up and I'm intrigued to go back and check it out when it's running normally
G.Really fun day trip and for a very reasonable price! Lots to see and explore and the history of the buildings was very interesting. Unfortunately the train was not running during our trip however still plenty to see and do! Cute café/bar inside with good food and drinks and plenty of clean toilets.
C. J.Thought it might be a lot more vibrant place some interesting buildings apparently just used for storage seemed a bit odd
I. P.Great little place to visit, nice shops their as well, well worth a visit it coming to the area
T. W.Well worth the visit, some very nice exhibitions and good coffee! Free for Nelson locals.
P. S.Wow, this place is something else!! Great place for families too...busy cafe (always a good sign) playground and plenty of space to run around...pack a picnic!!! Was fantastic to walk around all the old buildings etc .. the plane was my fave part... A must do in Nelson 💜
D. S.Historic village. Great place for a family day out. Lots to see and do and a lovely cafe on site
M. A.Go back in time to another era. Cute little town.
S. C.Great rainy day indoor area suitable for kids to play where they can't escape. Loads of books and toys.
k.Love taking the kids to founders heritage park. The railride is the best. Fun place to be on a Saturday or Sunday
F. R.Tons of the history of Nelson and New Zealand in one place.
Mandatory stop if you are visiting the city, you won't regret it.
P. F.Sunny Nelson hidden history gem. Easy access, to all displays. Family friendly. information about the area and the European history of colonising the upper South Island.
A. S.Nice place to visit with family and friends when in Nelson. The heritage park is clean and well-maintained.
I. B.A nice idea and a good way to learn some local history. More exciting for the adults than the children.
M. R.A very interesting collection with many historical nuggets of Nelson's past.
We spent about 2 hours here and enjoyed it a lot.
B. W.Good to see some of the history of NZ. Nice little village with old houses and church and it's own Brewery.
S.Really enjoyed our visit here. Within walking distance from where we stayed. Not to be missed when visiting Nelson
D. P.Great memories. Very well staged. Heaps of historical information. Good to keep you occupied and well entertained for hours
I. L. G.Lovely historical place equivalent to MOTAT in Auckland just on a smaller scale. Great place to visit.
H. R. A. L.The place was nice and clean. It was full of interesting knowledge and definitely a must go for families :)
D. R.This was an amazing place! Plenty of space for a birthday or celebration at very affordable prices. Would recommend that there could be a dop key box at the end of the celebration if there is noone on site, as it means you have to come back to the place to drop it off the next day, which is a bit of a mission. Hence the 1 star dropped.
M. V.So relaxing an awesome place to visit
A. N.A nice place to visit.
N. E.An amazing place to eat and see what it would be like to live back in the day ❤️
F. F.Amazing place to look around in Nelson, New Zealand.
v. t.Great park. Lots of great stuff from yesteryear
J. M.What a great experience. Bought back some great memories. Well worth a visit.
H. M.Very cool for learning a bit of history and seeing older vehicles and boats and lots of buildings. The medical room was how ever spooky as the bed was very broken. Which scared my 6 year old. The train ride was lovely and the gentleman driving the train was very lovely and informative
R. C.Very well worth having a look around here..
Impressive
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