NELSON TRAILS

Mapua to Motueka

Great Taste Trail

The Great Taste Trail travels between the coastal settlements of Mapua and Motueka. On the way you will pass orchards, farmland, art studios and cafes, and enjoy fantastic views of Arthur Range and Tasman Bay.

Details
Length 26.7 km Mapua Wharf to Motueka Rec Centre
Time Required 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr (by MTB)
Trail Type Shared track
Physical Difficulty Moderate   
Technical Difficulty Easy   
Uses Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction Either
Max Elevation 120 m

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Access

  25 min from Nelson (Mapua end)

 

This section of the Great Taste Trail starts at the Mapua Wharf, where the ferry from Rabbit Island arrives. There are several car parking areas near the wharf, though they can be very busy during summer. As the first few kilometres of the trail pass through urban streets in Mapua, there are plenty of options for street parking.

 

If you are starting at the Motueka end, there is plenty of street parking along the streets which the trail follows, as well as car parks closer to the town centre. A good parking option is the Motueka Recreation Centre on Old Wharf Road, as the trail passes right by it.

 

The trail is regularly marked with blue plastic posts and informative signs.

Description

From the wharf at Mapua the Great Taste Trail heads west along Iwa St then cuts back alongside the sports field to follow Aranui Rd. Just before the intersection with Stafford Drive the trail turns north toward the coast and then follows the coast along to Broadsea Ave, turns left onto Tait St and then right onto Stafford Dr.

 

At Ruby Bay the trail turns left up Pine Hill Rd, climbing to Pine Hill Rd West, before descending down Pomona Road and Marriages Rd. The trail runs alongside Aporo Rd (formerly State Highway 60), passing The Jester House and reaching the small community of Tasman. Be careful at the two road crossings through this section. Just past Tasman the trail goes through an underpass beneath Te Mamaku Drive (State Highway 60) and joins Harley Rd, where it heads inland, climbing along a ridge amid lifestyle blocks.

 

At the top of the ridge the trail turns right and heads north along Tasman View Road, where there are fantastic views west toward Arthur Range and north toward Tasman Bay. At the highest point of the ridge (120 m) there is a lookout with seating, information panels and a toilet.

 

The trail continues along Tasman View Road, descending the ridge and turning left at Community Road and then right to head alongside Lower Moutere Main Rd. After 2.7 km the trail turns right onto Wildman Rd and then left onto High St, which will take you to the roundabout at the entrance to Motueka. A little further along High Street the trail turns right into Courtney Street East, then follows the Inlet Walkway to Old Wharf Road, opposite the Motueka Recreation Centre.

 

The name ‘Motueka’ is ‘Motuweka’ in full, and roughly means ‘weka in amongst a small group of trees’.

Amenities

Mapua is renowned for it cafes and restaurants, and has all the amenities of a village. Ruby Bay and Tasman also have general stores. Motueka has all the amenities of a small town (supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.). There are many art galleries and studios located right next to the trail or down nearby side roads.

Mapua to Motueka
Great Taste Trail

The Great Taste Trail travels between the coastal settlements of Mapua and Motueka. On the way you will pass orchards, farmland, art studios and cafes, and enjoy fantastic views of Arthur Range and Tasman Bay.

Details
Length 26.7 km Mapua Wharf to High Street roundabout in Motueka
Time Required 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr (by MTB)
Trail Type Shared track
Physical Difficulty Moderate   
Technical Difficulty Easy   
Uses Walking, trail running and MTB
Direction Either
Max Elevation 120 m

If any layers fail to load, try clearing your cache and refreshing the page.

 

Access

  25 min from Nelson (Mapua end)

 

This section of the Great Taste Trail starts at the Mapua Wharf, where the ferry from Rabbit Island arrives. There are several car parking areas near the wharf, though they can be very busy during summer. As the first few kilometres of the trail pass through urban streets in Mapua, there are plenty of options for street parking.

 

If you are starting at the Motueka end, there is plenty of street parking along the streets which the trail follows, as well as car parks closer to the town centre. A good parking option is the Motueka Recreation Centre on Old Wharf Road, as the trail passes right by it.

 

The trail is regularly marked with blue plastic posts and informative signs.

Description

From the wharf at Mapua the Great Taste Trail heads west along Iwa St then cuts back alongside the sports field to follow Aranui Rd. Just before the intersection with Stafford Drive the trail turns north toward the coast and then follows the coast along to Broadsea Ave, turns left onto Tait St and then right onto Stafford Dr.

 

At Ruby Bay the trail turns left up Pine Hill Rd, climbing to Pine Hill Rd West, before descending down Pomona Road and Marriages Rd. The trail runs alongside Aporo Rd (formerly State Highway 60), passing The Jester House and reaching the small community of Tasman. Be careful at the two road crossings through this section. Just past Tasman the trail goes through an underpass beneath Te Mamaku Drive (State Highway 60) and joins Harley Rd, where it heads inland, climbing along a ridge amid lifestyle blocks.

 

At the top of the ridge the trail turns right and heads north along Tasman View Road, where there are fantastic views west toward Arthur Range and north toward Tasman Bay. At the highest point of the ridge (120 m) there is a lookout with seating, information panels and a toilet.

 

The trail continues along Tasman View Road, descending the ridge and turning left at Community Road and then right to head alongside Lower Moutere Main Rd. After 2.7 km the trail turns right onto Wildman Rd and then left onto High St, which will take you to the roundabout at the entrance to Motueka. A little further along High Street the trail turns right into Courtney Street East, then follows the Inlet Walkway to Old Wharf Road, opposite the Motueka Recreation Centre.

 

The name ‘Motueka’ is ‘Motuweka’ in full, and roughly means ‘weka in amongst a small group of trees’.

Amenities

Mapua is renowned for it cafes and restaurants, and has all the amenities of a village. Ruby Bay and Tasman also have general stores. Motueka has all the amenities of a small town (supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.). There are many art galleries and studios located right next to the trail or down nearby side roads.

Updated 20 March 2019