Motueka travel guide, Golden Bay Nelson

Motueka Travel Guide: 10 Great Ideas for a Day in Abel Tasman's Gateway Town

Sarah-Jane Lee

Oct 3

4 min read

Updated: Oct 11

Motueka is a bustling regional centre and a popular gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Café culture and holiday buzz have grown into a lively main street, a good range of places to stay, boutique shops and a strong community of artists and makers.

Many visitors drive straight through on their way to Kaiteriteri and Mārahau. Slow down instead. From craft breweries in nearby Riwaka to saltwater baths filled by the tide, there's something for everyone.

At a glance

Where: Western shore of Tasman Bay, near the mouth of the Motueka River
From Nelson: About 50 minutes by car, or follow the Great Taste Trail by bike
Time needed: A day, or several if you get caught up in the Nelson magic
Best time: Spring to autumn. It's a year-round town, but some galleries and accommodation close in winter

Rusting shipwreck Janie is a great photo stop, Motueka
Salt water baths Motueka overlooking the Tasman sea, Nelson
Motueka port boardwalk, mangroves, shallow estuary
Estuary boardwalk with its prolific birdlife, Motueka, Nelson

10 great ideas for a day in Motueka

1. Riwaka Resurgence

Nature fans will love the Riwaka Resurgence, where crystal-clear spring water bubbles up from an underground cave network at the foot of Tākaka Hill. The easy, well-signposted walk is shaded, so it's perfect on a hot summer day. There's a grassy picnic area and toilets at the start of the track.

2. Ngarua Caves

Want to see where that spring water comes from? The Ngarua Caves near the top of Tākaka Hill are only visited on guided tours. The tour is about half an hour, with stalactites, stalagmites and the skeleton of an extinct moa, so it's a great introduction for kids. Stop for the view across Tasman Bay before you go underground. Tours are seasonal, so check opening times first.

3. Artists' studios and galleries

Motueka and the surrounding district are a joy for art buffs. Look for Steve Fullmer's quirky pottery, where eels lurk in the garden and fish on legs stalk the front room, Sue Newitt's fine ceramic whiteware, and Frost & Fire Gallery nearby. JointWorks in Riwaka adds bold fabrics and furniture. Many studios are home-based, so check opening hours before you call in.

4. Motueka District Museum

History lovers should start at the museum, housed in a 1919 brick school building. Photographs and memorabilia tell the story of the old wharf, the Janie Seddon and centuries of human occupation along this coast. Opening hours change with the seasons, so check before you go.

5. High Street, Toad Hall and the Sunday Market

Wander the main street for op shops, hardware stores, boutiques, bakeries and pop-up studios. At the southern end of town, Toad Hall is a local institution: organic produce, fresh juice, a café and craft beer. On Sunday mornings, the Motueka Sunday Market brings local food, crafts, pounamu jewellery and buskers to the town centre.

6. Motueka Saltwater Baths

For a swim with a difference, head to the heritage saltwater baths off Wharf Road. Completed in 1938, they fill on the incoming tide. A simple floodgate drains the pool for cleaning, and the big tides refill it. There are picnic tables, barbecues, a playground and toilets, so pack lunch and stay a while.

7. The Janie Seddon wreck

The rusting hull of the Janie Seddon glows a soft orange at sunset and makes a fabulous photo near the site of the old wharf. When the tide is out, you can walk around it. The tidal flats are silty and muddy, which kids love.

8. Motueka Wharf

Recreational fishing and coastal cruises start from the wharf, but only around high tide. At low tide, boats can't get in or out, so high tide is when the wharf comes alive.

9. Waterfront walks and the Motueka Sandspit

Follow the coastal walkways from Staples Street towards the saltwater baths and join the locals on the waterfront. The Motueka Sandspit is an internationally recognised site for local and migrating shorebirds, so bring binoculars.

10. Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park

Just 10 minutes north of town, the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park has trails for every rider, from first-timers to seasoned adrenaline seekers. The views over Tasman Bay from the top are worth the climb.

Getting there and getting around

Motueka sits on the main route to Abel Tasman National Park. From Nelson, take the coast road via Māpua, or the scenic inland route through the Moutere Valley with its arts and crafts trail. The town itself is easy to walk around, but you'll need a car or bike to reach Riwaka, the caves and the bike park.