Marlborough & Nelson - New Zealand's South Island - page 157

The turn-off to the Moutere is signposted at Appleby on SH60. Not far along is the
turn-off to Old Coach Rd, from where you can follow the signs to Woollaston
( www.woollaston.co.nz ; School Rd, Upper Moutere; 11am-4.30pm) , a flash hilltop winery complete
with tasting room and contemporary art gallery. The patio is a spectacular place to enjoy a
platter for lunch.
Upper Moutere is the main settlement along this route. First settled by German immigrants
and originally named Sarau, today it's a sleepy hamlet with a shop, cafe and allegedly
NZ's oldest pub, the Moutere Inn ( www.moutereinn.co.nz ; 1406 Moutere Hwy; meals $12-30) , complete
with retro, workaday interior to match. This welcoming establishment serves honest meals
(pizza, burgers and fish 'n' chips) and quality, predominantly local craft beer. Pull up a
pew with a beer-tasting platter, sit outside on the sunny patio, or come along at night to
hear regular live music.
Continuing along the Moutere Hwy, Neudorf Rd is well signposted, leading as it does
to various delectables. Call into Neudorf Dairy ( www.neudorfdairy.co.nz ; 226 Neudorf Rd; 10am-5pm Wed-
Sun) for award-winning hand-crafted sheeps-milk cheeses and a picnic, or Neudorf
( www.neudorf.co.nz ; 138 Neudorf Rd; 10am-5pm, closed weekends May-Oct) winery for gorgeous pinot
noir and some of the country's finest chardonnay.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Motueka
POP 7600
Motueka (pronounced 'mott-oo-ecka', meaning 'Island of Weka') is a bustling agricultur-
al hub, and a great base from which to explore the region. It has all the vital amenities,
ample accommodation, cafes, roadside fruit stalls, and a clean and beautiful river offering
swimming and fishing. Stock up here if you're en route to Golden Bay or the Abel Tas-
man and Kahurangi National Parks.