Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere is the wide, 50 kilometre-long bay that connects the Marlborough Sounds and Abel Tasman National Park. Nelson sits at Tasman Bay’s southeast corner, and if you’re exploring, the main route is around the coast from Nelson via Motueka to Abel Tasman National Park, or over Takaka Hill to Golden Bay.
If you’re a first time visitor, start with a couple of days around Nelson – in this post we recommend a series of short walks in and around Nelson which are easy to link together. Then head towards Mapua and Motueka, making time for the short Riwaka Resurgence walk. Outside of these suggestions you’ll find plenty more to do, including hiking, mountain biking and tramping trails in the Bryant and Richmond Ranges behind Nelson and in Abel Tasman National Park.
A good alternative to a road trip is a cycle tour. There’s the well established multi-day Tasman Great Taste Trail which runs along the coast from Nelson to Kaiteriteri, with a return loop inland via Wakefield. The ‘taste’ part of the Great Taste Trail refers to the number of craft beer pubs and wine restaurants along the way – wine making is now a feature of the Tasman Bay area, but there’s also a long tradition of growing hops around Motueka, so there are plenty of local beers to choose from, too.
Nelson
Nelson City is just the right size for a day walk. The city centre is more or less bound by Rutherford Street to the west, the Maitai River to the northeast, and Church Hill to the south.
Church Hill is a highlight of Nelson’s downtown area, with the large and unusual Christ Church Cathedral surrounded by Victorian-style traditional gardens and large exotic trees. There are also plenty of good cafes and bars, and the well-known market on Saturday mornings at Montgomery Square.
Queens Gardens
Queens Gardens is just east of Nelson’s town centre, next to the Maitai River. It’s a relatively small public gardens, but very pretty with a wide range of exotic plants, water features, and outdoor sculptures. The Suter Art Gallery is to the west and has a popular cafe with views over the gardens.
Maitai River
If you feel like a gentle walk or bike ride, you can follow the Maitai River on a trail all the way to Maitai Valley. These photos were taken within the town environment – a second set of photos, below, were taken beyond the town in Maitai Valley.
Botanical Hill
Botanical Hill is best known as the ‘Centre of New Zealand’, and has a monument that marks the spot. It’s apparently not truly the centre, but the superb views over Nelson and the Maitai Valley from the top of the hill make up for the slight fib. For more great city views (and a bit more of a climb), try Sharland Hill or Grampians to the south of Botanical Hill.
To get to Botanical Hill, cross the Maitai River so you’re on the other side from the Botanical Gardens. Take the Bridge Street bridge, then immediately turn right onto Avon Street and left onto Hardy Street: access to the hill is near the sports field. Follow the track through regenerating native bush to the top.
Dance to the Music of Time
The Dance to the Music of Time by artist Terry Stringer is a tall, three-sided bronze statue of connected female figures that represent the bounty of the sea, the land and its inhabitants. It was commissioned by the Nelson City Council to mark the northern entrance to the city, and is a beautiful and strange piece of artwork – although the choice of location (on the north side of the roundabout where Trafalgar Street connects with State Highway 6) feels a touch unfortunate.
Maitai Valley
Maitai Valley is worth a visit in its own right, or you can use the Maitai Valley road to access the northeast end of the Dun Mountain Trail and various other tracks southeast of Nelson. Some of these tracks are rugged, with climbs up to 1,100 metres or so at Dun Mountain and Wooded Peak.
If you’re just following the valley, there are several places to stop and hang out, with water holes and access to the trails. At the end of the valley is the Maitai Dam and reservoir.
Tahunanui Beach
Tahunanui Beach is in southern Nelson, about halfway between central Nelson and the airport. It’s signposted with parking just off State Highway 6, so it’s easy to get to. It’s popular for the full range of beach activities, including surfing, so expect it to be busy in good weather.
Māpua
There are various points of interest as you drive around Tasman Bay towards Motueka, including beaches at Moturoa Rabbit Island (signposted from the main highway) and Mamaku Ruby Bay. Between these two sits the town of Māpua, which has done a nice job of converting its old fishing wharf and sheds into a group of boutique shops and eateries. Māpua has become a popular destination in its own right, and sits on the Great Taste Trail. The harbour is sheltered, so it’s also a good spot to park a boat.
You can take the scenic drive along Ruby Bay from Mapua to rejoin the main highway at Moutere Inlet.
Motueka
Motueka is a fast-growing town on the west side of Tasman Bay, only 10 kilometres from Kaiteriteri and the access to Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay. Although historically Motueka is best known for growing hops, it now feels more like a bustling town, catering to tourists as well as an expanding local community.
Take Old Wharf Road to Motueka Quay, which runs along the waterfront. High tide comes right up to the quay, but you can park your car at the north end by the golf course and wade across a modest inlet to a narrow, 6 kilometre long sand peninsula.
The oceanside has a sandy beach and it makes for an unusual walk as well as a nice spot to hang out. If you don’t want to get your feet wet, you can access the peninsula closer to Staples Street.
Janie Seddon shipwreck
The Janie Seddon shipwreck has become a popular destination, and it’s particularly pretty at low tide during sunset or sunrise – these photos were taken midday at high tide. The wreck is obvious from the road and you’ll see it shortly after turning onto Motueka Quay from Old Wharf Road, just before the historic wharf.
Riuwaka Resurgence
The Riuwaka (or Riwaka) Resurgence Track is just inside Kahurangi National Park, and it’s a must do if you’re visiting Tasman Bay. The entire walk only takes about 30 minutes, and it’s stunning, with intensely green moss and lichen growing on the rocks and trees around the Riuwaka River rapids. This vibrant green is interspersed with multi-coloured rocks and river stones.
The short trail takes you to the point where the river resurges from an underground cave system. Here, the water is both very old and very fresh, and considered wāhi tapu (sacred) by local Māori.
To get there, take a left into Riwaka Valley Road just before the main road to Golden Bay starts the climb up Takaka Hill. There’s a pretty campground about halfway along the road, if you want to stay in the area overnight.
Want more Marlborough trip ideas?
Check out our recent posts about road tripping from Picton to Nelson, Cloudy Bay Te Kopo O Kupe and Clifford Bay.