Cycling / Road trip
extended weekend in Nelson:
make it a hops trail

Seifried Estate @London Wine Competition

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

@toadhallmotueka

Approaching Motueka the trai passes Toad Hall Cafe & Townshend Brewery, a great place to relax with some food and beer under the big oak trees in the garden. 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, check here for details about Toad Hall Toad Hall Store & Cafe. If you are not hungry, a takeaway box of freshly baked cake and other treats for the road.

ToadHall 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 is a stretched out main street with an unpresupposing entrance moving into art galleries, quirky cafes and beach side feel to the town. Underpinning the town’s prosperity is the enormous Talleys fish processing factory situated on the edge of the Old Wharf road. As you exit the Moutere estuary road dominating the landscape is Talleys major fish processing factory. You will take the narrow sea road past the functional facilities of a major food processing plant and turn left onto the pretty route past the old wharf. You are on Old Wharf Road where it is time to take pressure off the pedal and observe what is around you.

Raumanuka And Motueka Sandspit Scenic Reserve @Reddit

The Raumanuka Reserve and adjoining sandspit is a site of historic significance in this area. Follow Old Wharf Road out to the coast before turning left onto Motueka Quay, and past the shipwrecked Janie Seddon. This is a section to ride at a casual pace, take in the spectacular estuary views and spot birds and wildlife. The esplanade reserve is renowned by birders as an internationally significant place for estuary and sea birds including the majestic Kotuku (white heron). This quiet reserve does not boast that it was the landing point for the first Pakeha Settlers of the Tasman Province (Region). This happened in 1842. The tiny plaque is obscured by bushes. You wonder how they landed as the vessel would have been safely anchored at some distance from land as it is a shallow tidal estuary. There are information plaques at the former Wharf site.

Motueka Sandspit: Motueka area, Nelson/Tasman region, 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.

Getting there

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, and from the old Motueka wharf it’s closer to 1400 metres before you get to the spit’s base. A signpost marks the start of the walk.

Motueka Sandspit @Waimea Tramping Club

Nature and conservation

The Motueka River delta is formed of sediments from the Motueka and Riwaka Rivers, swept into continually changing shapes by the sea.

The whole area is ecologically important. It has extensive areas of rushland and saltmarsh where whitebait spawn; it is rich in shellfish and therefore a major feeding ground for wading birds, up to 10,000 of which feed or roost on the sandspit in summer.

Birds

This site is considered internationally important (under the Ramsar convention for wetlands) because of the numbers of bar-tailed godwit, variable oystercatcher, and South Island pied oystercatcher that use the site. Other birds using the site are banded dotterel, ruddy turnstone, terns and gulls.The sandspit has an all-round view, from D’Urville Island to the Richmond and Arthur ranges and Abel Tasman National Park.

Motueka @anetek

A Wharf and remnants of the jetty are in an estuary environment. The heyday was from 1856 to 1906. There was even a wharf manager and a telegraph office at one stage. 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 Janie Seddon, lies in rusting elegance beside the now disused wharf. The Jane Seddon is a fantastic photo opportunity and the star of many sunset backlit photographs.

Her story is well told at the Motueka Museum, Home | motuekamuseum.

@motuekadistrictmuseum

OPEN​

December to March

Monday to Friday: 10am to 3pm

Sunday: 10am to 2pm

April to November

Tuesday to Friday: 10am to 3pm

Sunday: 10am to 2p

Other than a war memorial, and an information station the road is testament to time with beach baches, outdoor BBQ’s in people’s front yards and enterprising owners renting houses with signs atop their letterboxes. Past the Saltwater Baths, Port Motueka has relocated to the end of the road and Talleys Fisheries being the major stakeholder

NOTE: If you are travelling in a vehicle there will be areas where you will need to walk as access if via a shared walking / cycling trail

@hopfederation

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.

Hop Federation Brewery

@jointworksstudio

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.

NOTE: The balance of the day is free to take a walk to the 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.