The World of Wearable Art & Collectable Cars

We spent our first night in Picton and drove to Nelson the following morning - the most popular seaside town in New Zealand according to our Footprint guidebook.

Our first journey in the South Island was spectacular. Other travellers had told us to expect South Island to be like a different country, but nothing had prepared us for the rugged profile on a scale a 100 times larger than North Island. We drove through roads cut into the side of hills and saw even bigger snow-capped mountains in the distance. We followed the coastline and stopped at viewpoints to take in the turquoise sea, surrounded by forests that seemed to cover every bit of terrain except for the road and water. We were so absorbed in the sights that Nelson arrived totally out of the blue; with no settlements before as warning. Sometimes you feel like you are the only people in the world on parts of the South Island.

So, Nelson, destination: The World of Wearable Arts and Collectable Cars Complex. A complete mouthful but the best $15 we have spent in New Zealand to date. The world of wearable arts section was started by two brilliant sisters with a vision and the courage to make it a reality. They have given art a new dimension; movement, vibrance and dynamism - art on the human form. Ingenious really with the creations inspired by myths, legends, nature and textiles. The displays were exhibited in a catwalk style and it was almost eerie as the mannequins travelled along the catwalk to music, lit by spectacular lighting and dressed in the most amazing pieces of art. The complex is concluded with screenings of the catwalk shows held each year in Nelson which attract visitors and artists alike from all over the world. An extravaganza of colour, light, music and dance.

Whilst Beth spent hours wondering around the wearable art collection, Steve looked at the collectable car area - a perfect his and her day! He spent 2 happy hours looking at everything from Bubble Cars to Silver Shadows, Plymouth Prowlers to a Lamborghini Diablo. Even Beth enjoyed the car section as they were set in really creative displays.

You can't take photos at the complex so if you only look at one website link we list in our diary then this should be it!