Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Nelson to Motueka
From Richmond, south of Nelson, there are two routes to Motueka: the busier, more popu-
lated coastal highway (SH60) and the inland Moutere Hwy, a pleasant alternative and a
nice way of making a loop. Either way, this area is generously sprinkled with attractions,
so allow enough time to pull off the road. The area can be explored by bicycle on the
Great Taste Trail.
There are numerous
wineries
in this area; the
Nelson Wine Guide
pamphlet
(
www.wineart.co.nz
)
will help you find them.
Art
and
craft galleries
are also in the vicinity. Find these in the
Nelson Art Guide
or
Nel-
son's Creative Pathways
pamphlets, both available from local i-SITEs, where you can
also get information on accommodation around these parts.
WORTH A TRIP
GREAT TASTE TRAIL
In a stroke of genius propelled by great weather and easy topography, Nelson has developed what is destined to
be one of NZ's most popular cycle trails. Why? Because no other is so frequently punctuated by stops for food,
wine, craft beer and art, as it passes through a range of landscapes from rolling countryside to estuary boardwalk.
The full 175km trail is due for completion in 2016, but there's plenty of track ready for riding now, including
the 69km Coastal Route from Nelson to Kaiteriteri. This can be ridden over two days (there's plenty of accom-
modation along the way) or you can just bite off a little chunk such as a ride to lunch. A good taster would be the
14km section from Stoke (near Nelson city) to the wineries around Brightwater.
The cycle companies on
Click here
can help you with bike hire and advice; see also the trail site,
Great Taste
Trail
(
www.heartofbiking.org.nz
).
SH60 via Mapua
Skirting around Waimea Inlet and along the Ruby Coast, this is the quickest route from
Nelson to Motueka (around 45 minutes' drive), although there are various distractions to
slow you down.
Just 10km from Richmond you'll hit
Waimea
(
www.waimeaestates.co.nz
;
SH60; 10am- 6pm)
winery, where a diverse range of interesting wines is available to taste. The on-site
Cellar
Door
(
www.thecellardoor.net.nz
; mains $16-29)
is a stylish conservatory cafe with vine views and a
tapas-style menu.
