TASMAN's GREAT TASTE Trail
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TASMAN’S GREAT TASTE Trail TASMAN’S GREAT TASTE TRAIL Motueka Estuary NELSON © Chocolate Dog Studio ROUND TRIP showcases an enviable coastline TRAIL INFO with gorgeous white-sand beaches. Starting in Nelson, the trail passes 3-5 days 159km over boardwalks along the edge of the Waimea Estuary, home to a range of bird species, before 3-5 Days Much more than just a cycle trail, this is crossing over to Rabbit Island and 16-159km taking a short boat trip to Mapua. an adventure for mind, body and palate. Further on, the trail visits Motueka Not only is the scenery so beautiful it’s hard and its wineries, Kaiteriteri – gateway to the stunning Abel to keep focussed, there’s a multitude of Tasman National Park, and the TRAIL GRADES: places to stop and enjoy outstanding food Motueka River before heading to Wakefield on an unsealed NELSON TO WAKEFIELD GRADE 2 (EASY) and wine, stay the night, take a dip in the undulating country road that climbs NELSON TO MAPUA sparkling sea or browse the galleries. up to 300m (this will be replaced with a flatter route via Tapawera GRADE 2 (EASY) and Kohatu Junction in the future). MAPUA TO MOTUEKA he trail is 159km in its afternoon cruise or a week of GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) entirety, comprising a scenic riding. Vineyards, breweries, From Wakefield, the trail returns to MOTUEKA TO KAITERITERI network of cycleways that orchards, restaurants, cafés, Nelson on purpose-built cycle paths GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) T and lanes. From Wakefield, a 26km gently wander along the coast boutiques and galleries are all RIWAKA TO WOODSTOCK and into the hinterland and can dotted throughout the picturesque return side trip can be taken to GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) be adjusted to suit a bite-size countryside, and the coastal leg historic Spooners Tunnel. WOODSTOCK TO WAKEFIELD GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) WAKEFIELD TO NORRIS GULLY GRADE 2 (EASY) look out for... Kaiteriteri Mountain MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Bike Park Available throughout the trail. Abel Tasman adventure, from gliding between This purpose-built 180ha DRINKING WATER: Water can beautiful bays by kayaking, off-road park is maintained National Park be purchased at shops at each sailing, skydiving or hiking the by enthusiastic volunteers With stunning azure water township along the trail. Some renowned Abel Tasman Coast who have helped shape fringed by native forest and drinking water is available at Track to unwinding on a stretch the park into a mountain blinding white-sand beaches, reserves such as on Rabbit of sparkling sand. You might even biking mecca. The park has you’d be forgiven for thinking Island. The largest distance spot shags, gannets and little trails for all skill levels and you’re on a tropical island at without water supply is between blue penguins diving for their is a hit with both locals and this national park. It offers Richmond and Rabbit Island dinner and fur seals lounging on visitors. (15km). an ideal mix of relaxation and the rocks. 79 © AA Traveller 2018 If you’re the creative type, you’ll feel right at MAP LEGEND 60 KAITERITERI home in Nelson. open section town section under café/restaurant Riwaka construction toilets Brooklyn start / finish point Nelson City MOTUEKA camping amous for its seafood, Museum where you will see fabric, art e r point of interest g e n v a ad i shelter horticulture, fruit and hop- and the human form combined with R o R r R ka AA Service u n k e growing and wine production, awe-inspiring results and a fleet of h a u accommodation t B t F r o i-SITE Visitor Centre Nelson is the complete package for prestige cars. A st M We 1 state highway 60 tunnel wining and dining. Don’t miss the You can also learn about the lives Tasman chance to eat out here, whether it’s at of Nelson’s first European settlers a fine-dining restaurant, local winery Ngatimoti at Broadgreen Historic House and or farmers’ market. Founders Heritage Park, tour the Ruby Bay Creativity is in the air here; Nelson world in six acres at Gardens of the Tasman Bay 6 has a vibrant arts and crafts World or browse the stalls at the ferry Rabbit Island TASMAN’S GREAT TASTE TRAIL WOODSTOCK scene. Discover it at the Nelson Market held every Saturday, TASMAN’S GREAT TASTE TRAIL MAPUA NELSON studios of sculptors, where you can pick up arts and crafts, Thorpe painters, glass artisan produce and fantastic coffee. Dovedale Airport blowers, fashion If you’re seeking some fun activities, D Waimea ove designers thrill-seeking activities abound here. da 60 Estuary Stoke Stanley Brook le Dovedale Hill and jewellery Road Take a helicopter ride, skydive, go Summit 326m makers. Or, Motueka River quad-biking or canyoning, or fly like a head for one Richmond bird on the world’s longest flying fox – 6 of its cultural to name just a few. Pigeon Valley stand-outs – Road Brightwater Spooners Tunnel © Chocolate Dog Studio On the opposite end of the scale, Tapawera RIGHT: Nelson © davidwallphoto.com there’s The Suter Art rejuvenate at a boutique spa retreat Gallery, the World of or have a therapeutic treatment from WearableArt & Classic Cars WAKEFIELD e one of the many wellbeing specialists. ng Nelson Wai-iti a Kohatu n R after Admiral Lord Nelson • 134km W of Picton rdo Norris Gully 6 Belgrove Go 6 Spooners Tunnel TAHUNATAHUNA BEACH riding the trail KIWI HOLIDAYBEACH PARK & MOTEL NELSONNELSON after this a left turn takes you across KIWI HOLIDAY PARK & MOTEL Nelson Wakefield Woodstock Motueka Mapua Nelson TAHUNA BEACH the road onto a trail through farmland New Zealand’s best remembered 30km 30km 38km 26km 35km to Brightwater on the return journey KIWI HOLIDAY PARK & MOTEL NELSON 400m to Nelson. holiday destination since 1926 200m WAKEFIELD TO 0m New Zealand’s best remembered NORRIS GULLY, 22KM New Zealand’s best remembered NELSON TO WAKEFIELD, 30KM short hill climbs and panoramic views trail to Kaiteriteri turns right, go straight Spooners Tunnel can be visited as holidayholiday destinationdestination sincesince 19261926 OR NELSON TO MAPUA, 35KM to Lower Moutere, Motueka and ahead onto Factory Rd and through a side trip from Wakefield. South of Starting from the Nelson i-SITE, follow Tasman Bay. Brooklyn to the West Bank Rd. Follow Wakefield the route is on highway the Railway Reserve cycle path through the signs to Woodstock, crossing the for 5km to Wai-iti and then is back to MOTUEKA TO Nelson and Stoke. At Richmond, the Motueka River back to the main road on off-road trail. It goes alongside the trail splits in two. Either ride around the KAITERITERI, 16KM the third bridge. After about 300m on Wai-iti River and pastoral countryside, Waimea Estuary, across a custom-built Shortly after connecting with the coastal the main road turn left onto a side road then plantation forestry following swing bridge over the Waimea River to highway as you enter Motueka, the trail to Woodstock. the old railway line to the 1.4km- Rabbit Island and then by ferry to turns right. It heads out to the coast for long Spooners Tunnel. The tunnel WOODSTOCK TO Mapua, or carry on straight ahead a section before turning back inland to is not lit so a torch is required; you towards Wakefield. Please note from cross the Motueka River to Riwaka. From WAKEFIELD, 30KM will also need a warm clothing layer. 1 May to 24 September the ferry to Riwaka it’s back towards and along the Follow the signs to the gravel Pigeon Spooners Tunnel is NZ’s longest Mapua only operates on weekends coast, with a short climb on a forest trail Valley Rd to Wakefield, which goes over decommissioned rail tunnel, the 5th through the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike and public/school holidays. a 300m saddle in pine forest. It’s used by longest tunnel open to cycling and 70 Beach Road, Tahunanui, Nelson Park to Kaiteriteri Beach. logging trucks on weekdays. Please pull walking in the world, and the longest in P 03 548 5159 E [email protected] MAPUA TO MOTUEKA, 26KM over and let them pass. the southern hemisphere. Freecall reservations: 0800 500 501 www.tahunabeach.co.nz From the Mapua wharf follow the signs RIWAKA TO At Wakefield, connect back onto the cycle From Norris Gully, you can continue through the back streets of Mapua, then WOODSTOCK 32KM trail to Richmond and Nelson. Cross the on the main road for 27km to Kohatu, along the coast to Ruby Bay. From here This section leaves the cycle trail for 70 Beach Road, Tahunanui, Nelson main highway and head up a short hill to Tapawera and Woodstock, or retrace the trail heads inland with a couple of a sealed back-country road along the P 03 548 5159 E [email protected] the cycle trail in front of the church. Soon your route back through the tunnel. Motueka River. After Riwaka where the Freecall reservations: 0800 500 501 www.tahunabeach.co.nz 80 81 Fun at Mapua Wharf From coastal splendour and picturesque © NelsonNZ.com Just minutes from Nelson’s CBD, locales to enterprising towns and the LEFT: Waimea Estuary, Tasman’s Tahunanui Beach has safe Great Taste Trail © Chocolate swimming and is great for a appealing city of Nelson, there’s plenty to Dog Studio Motueka grab your attention. family day out. Motueka has a pioneering culture of innovation, creativity and living in Along the trail balance with the land. ot far from Nelson, the former Post Office, for example. Richmond boasts a Beautifully secluded, with plenty of Ncollection of vineyards, sunshine and three unforgettable most of which are within a 20km beaches, Kaiteriteri is a favourite radius.