Bridge Street is open and ready to welcome you!

Local shops, cafés and services are still open throughout the works, and they’d love to see you. Parking is available nearby — including free first-hour parking in Council carparks — pop in, show your support, and enjoy what our city centre has to offer.

Works map Oct 2025-Dec 2025

Works map

Parking

Free parking for the first hour

Nelson City Council offers free parking for the first hour when parked in the city.

  • You must use either a Pay-by-Plate meter or the PayMyPark App even if using the first free hour.
  • Parking fees after the first free hour will be at the rate of $2.00 per hour.
  • The Parking Bylaw and fees apply from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. 
  • Maximum time limits apply - check signs and meters for times
  • Free all-day parking is available on the city fringes, and for car-pool permit holders in the city centre.

Motorcycles can park in designated parking spots for free. If a motorcycle parks in a paid car park, then it must pay and abide by the time limits.

We have a some resources to help you understand how to use the app and meter:

Please note: The entrances to Buxton Square carpark and the Montgomery Square Carpark via Alma St and the Montgomery Laneway, both off Bridge St, are closed between October 2025-December 2025 while the laneways are upgraded.

More carparking will be available in the new Paru Paru Road carpark (78 spaces), when it is completed in December 2025. Parking in this area will be free for the duration of the Bridge to Better project.

Additionally, parking next to the new Bus Hub in Millers Acre will also be available once the hub is completed in December 2025.


Buxton Square car park

Pay-by-Plate meters can be found at the Collingwood and Bridge Street entrances and either side of the toilet block. Other facilities include a public toilet.

Charging hours

Max. Parking

Entrance

Spaces

Mobility Parks

Mon-Fri
8am - 5pm
Saturday
9am - 1pm

3 hours

Collingwood St

329

5

Montgomery Square car park

Nelson Saturday Market takes place on Saturday from 6am to 1pm. If parking in Montgomery over Friday night, please use parks on the outer edge. Otherwise, Council will organise the removal of your vehicle to an exterior space.

Pay-by-Plate meters can be found at the Bridge, Rutherford and Hardy Street entrances as well as either end of the public toilet. Other facilities include a public toilet.

Charging hours

Max. Parking

Entrance

Spaces

Mobility Parks

Mon-Fri
8am - 5pm
Saturday
9am - 1pm

3 hours

Hardy St and Rutherford St

329

4

Wakatu Square car park

Pay-by-Plate meters can be found at the Rutherford Street and Wakatu Lane entrances as well as two in the centre of carpark. Other facilities include a bus depot.

Charging hours

Max. Parking

Entrance

Spaces

Mobility Parks

Mon-Fri
8am - 5pm
Saturday
9am - 1pm

All day (centre parks)
1 hour (edge parks)

Rutherford St and Trafalgar St

145

3

Other locations to park

Alternate parking areas all day at no charge

  • Hathaway Terrace/Trafalgar Park
  • Grove Street
  • Collingwood Street
  • Nile St West
  • Kerr Street
  • Gloucester Street (some restricted parking at Hardy St end)