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Cycling Road Trip Weekend – Your Great Taste Trail Adventure in Nelson

@picspeanutbutter
@picspeanutbutter
PIC'S PEANUT BUTTER WORLD
@eddylinenewzealand
@eddylinenewzealand
EDDYLINE BREWERY
@Seifried Estate
@Seifried Estate
SEIFRIED – WINERY DETOUR
@jesterhouse
@jesterhouse
RUBY COAST – TASMAN VILLAGE
@jointworksstudio
@jointworksstudio
JOINTWORKS STUDIO
@toadhallmotueka
@toadhallmotueka
TOAD HALL - MOTUEKA STORE AND CAFE
Townshend Brewery in Motueka @townshend_brewery
@townshend_brewery
TOWNSHEND BREWERY
View of Mirroring pond water and mountains, Motueka, New Zealand
View of Mirroring pond water and mountains, Motueka
MOTUEKA BEACH RESERVE & SALTWATER BATHS
Rusting shipwreck Janie Seddon in the bay at Motueka, Nelson
Jamie Seddon Shipwreck in Motueka
OLD WHARF ROAD – JAMIE SEDDON SHIPWREC...
@hopfederation
@hopfederation
HOP FEDERATION BREWERY

Hop on a bike and escape for a few days to one of New Zealand’s premier holiday destinations. Cycle around Nelson’s myriad attractions, your choice, your way. This trip is focused on the GREAT TASTE trail highlights. Craft breweries, foodie destinations, with indulgence in every drop. While the itinerary is a few days duration it is easily extended into a cycling holiday of a lifetime exploring the top of the South Island, Nelson and Marlborough.

Discover why overseas cyclists fall in love with Nelson’s Great Taste Trail with your guide to the trail’s ‘short cuts’. Sunshine is a metaphor for Nelson and even if there is a nip in the air.

Trip Overview

Make it a hops trail

CYCLING DISTANCE: 60 km (approximate)

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Mid November to early April.

Year round Nelson is a great place to visit. Expect in the cooler months a brisk breeze, the area is unlikely to experience frosts. 

 

NEAREST AIRPORT: NELSON (domestic)

 

WEATHER

Nelson Weather Forecast and Observations

Cyclists pack layers just in case of a spot of rain. And the lack of shade in summer means sunscreen is necessary all year round.


Duration: 2 / 3 days
Start Nelson/Stoke
Finish Nelson/Stoke

YOUR ESCAPE STARTS WITH A VISIT TO PICS PEANUT BUTTER, DASH OF CULTURE AT HOGLUND ART GLASS STUDIO …

 

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TIP

The cycling trail passes over boardwalks along the edge of the Waimea Estuary. The trail then crosses to Rabbit Island, where you can catch the Mapua Ferry with your bikes on board and take a trip to Mapua Wharf. The cycle route then continues north-west from Mapua to Motueka, known for its award winning wineries with the detour option of expanding the trip to Kaiteriteri, the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park.

 

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This is an easy cycling trail with a gentle incline (excluding Kaiteriteri) passing farmland, orchards, vineyards, breweries, farm gates laden with fresh bounty and a cafe to rest and revive. The route is part of the Tasman’s Great Taste Trail and is one of New Zealand’s Great Rides.  

 

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TIP

Cycle and ride with bike hire companies offering a range of options from one way pick up to collection at designated spots. Arrange and discuss before booking bicycle hire, especially in the peak season.

 

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Nelson Airport to Mapua Cycle Route

CYCLE 23 km Nelson Airport, Pics Peanut World, Eddyline Brewery, Hoglund Art Glass Studio, Moturoa Rabbit Island.

EXPLORE CRAFT BREWERIES, CHAT TO CREATORS IN THEIR STUDIOS … CYCLE TO THE SUNSET PHOTOS OF THE JAMIE SEDDON SHIPWRECK

 

CYCLING – 26 km through apple orchard country

The scenery is picturesque. Explore art studios in Ruby Bay before a steep climb of 1 km onto the elevated route above the coast through orchards. You will pass Tasman village, where there is a village store, cafe and artist markets marketing single produce wares. There is the option of a detour to the Kina Peninsula. Then is the harder slog uphill for 3km to the Moutere ridge. The elevation is approximately 110m.  

Catch your breath and take in the views of the Tasman Sea. Cyclists approaching Motueka will take the lesser known coastal route (old Motueka Wharf road) bypassing the main street past the original fishing wharf, now recreational and through baches and seafront homes. On the coastal route you will pass the Raumanuka Reserve and adjoining sandspit. Motueka is your destination for the night.

CYCLING ROUTE

Mapua Wharf, Ruby Bay, Tasman Village, Kina Beach, Raumanuka Reserve and Sandspit, Old Wharf Road, Riwaka, Hop Federation Brewery, return via SH60 past Toad Hall.

Follow Old Wharf Road out to the coast before turning left onto Motueka Quay, and past the shipwrecked Jamie Seddon. Access to the Motueka River delta is at the end of Staples Street, just north of Motueka, or along the foreshore from the old Motueka wharf. From Staples Street the sandspit separates off from the “mainland” after about 400 metre stroll south down the walkway. A signpost marks the start of the walk.

ART STUDIOS, FOOD STORES & TASMAN BAY DELIGHTS

Your journey exploring Tasman Bay, Nelson by bike has ended. You can return to Nelson via the inland route with the bounty of Moutere, Nelson 9 best foodie experiences + great walk or continue onwards Farewell Spit and Collingwood.

TRAVEL PACK INFORMATION

Getting Around on a Bike

The first question is how are you planning to get around. The weekend is about enjoyment, having fun. Here are a few suggestions to get pesky details out of the way. 

Cycling from Richmod (Nelson) is on the flat easy route of the Great Taste Trail. Follow the Fitness types can cycle the Richmond to Mapua section of the Great Taste Trail and follow the coastline of Waimea Inlet and on to Rabbit Island. Built to accommodate cyclists and foot passengers, the ferry is a 10-minute trip from Rabbit Island to Mapua wharf. 

Length: 19.8 km (Reservoir Creek to western end of Rabbit Island)

Duration: Required 1-2 hr by MTB

Trail Type: Shared track

Physical Difficulty: Easy

AFFILIATE PARTNER STATEMENT
Our editors independently visit tour operators, purchase tickets, pay for accommodation, and rate products and places. We are not paid to go on a tour or visit a place. We only make money if you decide to purchase a product through our website links. We promise to never accept free products from manufacturers in return for boosting their products. Read more about our affiliate programme in the terms and conditions HERE.

 

BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE

Best Bits travel guide is published by nzjane.com. Owned and managed by PacificJane Ltd.

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