Travel Pack Information

Getting Around

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

GETTING AROUND?

Cycle your way through Nelson’s hop farms and vineyards

Cycling from Richmod (Nelson) is on the flat easy route of the Great Taste Trail.

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

Waimea Estuary information

https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/waimea-inlet-restoration-project/

About the Inlet

The Waimea Inlet is the area inside a line connecting the Tasman Bay shoreline of Mapua, Moturoa Rabbit Island and Tahunanui Beach.

Waimea Inlet is the largest semi-enclosed estuary in the South Island and recognised as a wetland of international importance.

The Inlet is home to some of New Zealand’s most rare and threatened native plants and animals, including birds like the variable oystercatcher, wrybill, banded rail, marsh crake, Australasian bittern and bar-tailed godwit.

The Battle for the Banded Rail Project is restoring vegetation and undertaking extensive trapping in areas of significance around the inlet. The goal is to increase the numbers of banded rail and other shy margin dwelling birds on the estuary.

Local volunteers planting

https://www.waimeaweekly.co.nz/banding-together-to-battle-for-the-birds/

Tasman Bay background

Background to the Tasman area on the Ruby Coast, NZ

For more information about Old Motueka Wharf and the history of human occupation check The Prow article Motueka’s First Harbour

For background history of Riwaka settlement and the history of human occupation check The Prow article Kaiteriteri/ Puketawai Reserve and Captain Wakefield’s memorial

The journey is worth it.