About Nelson • mapua, motueka & moutere

fact file

Travel Notes
Follow the Coastal Highway from Richmond through Mapua to Motueka and enjoy a tour of art studios, galleries, cafés, and some 22 wineries en route.

Population
Mapua 1600; Motueka, Moutere and surrounding townships around 12,000. Tasman is the second-fastest growing region in New Zealand.

Getting Around
The alternative route between Richmond and Motueka is the Moutere highway, across the Waimea Plains and Moutere Hills through Upper and Lower Moutere. There are regular bus services from Nelson, via Motueka to Abel Tasman National Park.

Exploring Outdoors
Between Richmond and Motueka lies some of the region’s most fertile land where export crops of apples, berries, hops and olives are grown. In recent years viticulture has boomed and many boutique wineries offer cellar door tastings.

Ambience
Mapua is a charming seaside settlement with cafes on the waterfront.
Motueka is a larger township (though smaller than Richmond) and provides the last opportunity to stock up on supplies and camping gear before you head into the Abel Tasman National Park.
Moutere's lush, rolling green hills have enticed many lifestylers in recent years. In all three destinations fine dining, art studios and tourism adventures have sprung up in the once sleepy rural villages.

Arts
Many galleries and open studios welcome visitors along the coastal and inland highways. This is where you will find that special piece of pottery, that quirky sculpture or a fine landscape capturing the essence of the region.

Action and Adventure
Don’t miss Rabbit Island’s sandy beaches, picnic areas and safe swimming. You can cruise the Waimea Estuary by boat or kayak, fish the Motueka River or head into Kahurangi National Park.

Accommodation
Motels, boutique bed and breakfasts, vineyard stays, backpackers, cabins, camping grounds; are laid out from Mapua to Kaiteriteri.

essential experiences

• Wine tasting at the cellar door
• Sunset at Mapua Wharf with a plate of delectable seafood
• Mingle with the locals at the Sunday Market at Motueka

fascinating facts

• The Moutere Inn was built in 1857 and is still open for business
• New Zealand’s entire hop crop (used for making beer) is grown in the Riwaka and Motueka River valley
• Waimea Inlet (by Mapua) is the largest estuary in the South Island

things to do / places to stay