Great Taste Highlights: Short Break – Drive or Cycle Nelson’s Best Foodie and Craft Breweries

Pic’s Peanut Butter World is a great place to start the weekend. A free tour where the secrets of making peanut butter without the nasties is shown on the 50 minute tour. There is time to sample your way around the factory as you view operations.  You are encouraged to make your own peanut butter with tips and tricks to a great product. The shop is tempting on a plate with the winner for the weekend peanut butter slugs. Peanut butter slugs for the bike carry bags are just the answer for restorative energy boosts during the weekend.

Next it is on the road to Eddyline Breweries. Casual is the theme of the weekend and Eddyline sums up the mood beautifully with wood fired pizza a great energy boost. On the cycle trail again, follow the edge of the Waimea Estuary. The trail is industrial for the initial 2.5 kms before the urban sprawl is replaced with saltbushes, reedy estuaries, wading and Spoonbills. The last section of trail follows the beachfront for approximately 7 km, to the ferry landing. It is just a 10 minute trip across the channel to the Mapua Wharf, your destination for the day.

The balance of the day is pottering around the Wharf. For wine trail enthusiasts there is the option of a quick visit to Seifried’s, the oldest and largest winery in Nelson.

Ruby Coast is a not so secret detour with the well-known Jester House Cafe as part of the foodie circuit. A striking welcome is the recycled stainless steel sculpture of shorebirds as you enter the Tasman Village. Stunning and durable. The Ruby Coast name reflects the deep red pebbles which are just behind the surface of the beach.

A highlight for art lovers is Tasman Village, art lovers, collectors you are in an area with well known potters and potters studios. Celebrated potters such as Steve Fuller, Sue Newitt and Daryl Frost part of the Ruby Bay Coast art trail, call the area home.

Approaching Motueka the trail passes Toad Hall Cafe. For visitors who are planning on extending their stay in Nelson this is the perfect place to stock up with fresh produce, snacks and any other goodies that take your fancy. If you are not hungry, grab a takeaway box of freshly baked cake and other treats for the road.

Townshend Brewery, a great place to relax with some food and beer under the big oak trees in the garden.  

Toad Hall is at the intersection of the aerial route through Motueka township. You will have just passed the Moutere estuary, stopped a while at ToadHall to sample goodies and Townshend Brewery.

MOTUEKA – an all day exploration. Art galleries, eateries, beaches and indulging the impulse to find out what is around the corner.  Discover your new favourite place for a spur of the moment picnic or to browse the many shops and galleries lining Motueka’s main street. The town is known for its delicious freshly baked breads and pies tempting the many visitors on their way to the Abel Tasman park. You can explore nearby Riwaka galleries. Finish the day with a brew at Hop Federation Brewery.

Take in the spectacular estuary views and spot birds and wildlife at the Raumanuka Reserve. The esplanade reserve is renowned by birders as an internationally significant place for estuary and sea birds including the majestic Kotuku (white heron).

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The Department of Conservation describes the area as the “Motueka sandspit is part of the Motueka River delta, which consists of the sandspit, the rivermouth, and the ‘Kumaras’ estuary.

A Wharf and remnants of the jetty are in an estuary environment. The Motueka museum has faded black and white photos and documents for visitors interested in the history of the area.  Today it is a quiet walk along sand dunes with views across Tasman Bay depending on the tides. A shipwreck, the Jamie Seddon, lies in rusting elegance beside the now disused wharf. The Jamie Seddon is a fantastic photo opportunity and the star of many sunset backlit photographs.

• The quirk of Motueka Beach Reserve is the vintage feel to the public salt water baths adjoining the beach.
• Motueka Beach Reserve in turn links to the Trewavas Street Foreshore reserve giving visitors continuous access to the coastline.

There are toilets, barbecues, picnic tables and a children’s play area dotted throughout the reserves. The popular Motueka SaltWater Baths are also accessed from here and there is plenty of space for car parking.

Visitors have over seven hectares so there is plenty of space to throw down your beach towel, games, picnicking, swimming or just relaxing under a beach umbrella.

Find out more about swimming in Nelson

Riwaka is a very short drive or cycle ride from Motueka. Today is about exploring the area at a pace to rest and relax into the holiday vibe of Nelson. For a restorative mid morning snack check out Ginger Dynamite Go Go Food and Coffee – Home, home baked smoked fish pies and freshly brewed ginger beer.

JointWorks Studio specialises in handweaving and furniture. It is difficult to leave the premises with the tactile nature of the displayed goods. Handwoven scarves, wraps and wall handing tempt visitors to try them on and wrap themselves in glowing colours. JointWorks Studio: Home | Handweaving | Furniture is a place where you want to spend time wondering if the decorative box or small coffee table can be shipped home. Just ask and it is definitely possible.

Offer in store tastings including seasonal specials. There is a sense of community and it is fascinating hearing the story of two relocated Auckland families who have created a microbrewery in the heart of hop growing territory. 

The brewery is open every day from 11:00am to late. Tastings are complimentary.

Riwaka Resurgence to watch the river emerge from the underground springs or window shop in Motueka among the busy holiday crowds or perhaps simply chill out on the Old Wharf Road and wonder about the fate of ships and people who run aground.