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Oceania > New Zealand > South Island > Nelson Bays > Motueka
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Motueka is a town in the Nelson Bays region of New Zealand's South Island that lies close to the Motueka River. On or just off the main street (SH60) are two large supermarkets; cafes, fast food chains, and restaurants; as well as gift shops, clothing shops and various other shops.

Understand

The surrounding district has a large, but diminishing, number of orchards, as well as growing a variety of specialised crops such as hops and boysenberries (it was formerly the main centre of tobacco growing in New Zealand and some patches survive between police raids, growing for their "own consumption"). A number of small boutique wineries have gained an international reputation.

Nearby beaches (such as Kaiteriteri Beach and Marahau) are very popular with holidaymakers, and the area around Motueka has one of the country's highest annual sunshine-hour indices. Because of the gorgeous scenery and continual building of swanky clifftop homes by rich incomers, the coastline between Motueka and Marahau has been dubbed the Riviera of the South Island after the famous French Riviera.

Motueka, as the nearest town to the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks, has become the base of many tourism ventures in those parks, as well as in other recreational areas. Extensive limestone cave systems (including Harwoods Hole in the Takaka Hill area north of Motueka) attract cavers and rock climbers. Sea kayaking and tramping now attract many thousands of visitors each year.

Many artists and craftspeople live in the area around Motueka, especially potters and reggae musicians. The Riverside Community, in nearby Lower Moutere is a pacifist international community founded in the 1940s and now New Zealand's oldest co-operative commune.

Get in

By bus

Abel Tasman Coachlines provide services between Nelson, Richmond, Mapua, Tasman, Motueka, Kaiteriteri, and Marahau. See their website for the timetable.

By car

Motueka is a 40-minute drive from Nelson, 30-minute drive from Richmond, and 55-minute drive from Takaka.

Get around

See

Do

  • Abel Tasman Skydive, Motueka Airport, 16 College St, +64 3 528-4091. Rated within the top 10 greatest skydive operations in the world, Skydive Abel Tasman is guaranteed to give you an exhilarating skydive to remember. Freefall for either 30, 50 or 70 seconds from 9000, 13,000. or 16,500 feet. Take in the spectacular view of the Abel Tasman National Park as you help guide the parachute or just relax and enjoy the ride. 9,000ft skydive: $249; 13,000ft skydive: $299: 16,500ft skydive: $399.
  • Motueka Mini Golf, 390 Chamberlain St, +64 27 205 4242. 18 hole mini golf course, with each hole representing a local icon.

Buy

Eat

Has a supermarket and a McDonalds fast food outlet with free Wi-Fi.

Drink

Sleep

  • Doone Cottage Country Homestay, 2281 Motueka Valley Highway, +64 3 526-8740. Charming 100 yr old home secluded in 4 acres of gardens offering en suite bed & breakfast accommodation close to Abel Tasman National Park & top South Island trout fishing rivers.
  • Equestrian Lodge Motel & Gardens, 2 Avalon Court, +64 3 528-9369. 5 min stroll from the heart of the Motueka township, and an easy walk to the 18 hole golf course. All motel units are open to the beautiful landscaped gardens, complete with a shaded barbecue area and a childrens play area.

Connect

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