Motueka

Where is it?

On the north coast on the shores of Tasman Bay, Motueka is at the heart of a fertile agricultural area. The success of the local produce lies both in the soil and in the abundance of sunshine the area is blessed by.

What's it like?

Mostly, people visit Motueka on their way into the Abel Tasman National Park. Sleepy for most of the year the town comes to life in the summer when visitors to the park descend on the area.

What to see and do.

As with so much of New Zealand, it isn't what lies within the town that is the attraction but what lies outside and Motueka is no exception. Tourists use the town as a stepping-stone into the Abel Tasman Park. This coastal park offers superb beaches with a heavily forested interior. The main route is the Abel Tasman Track, a 55km hike along the coast or you can Kayak along the same route. If you get the chance, take one of the organised boat trips onto the crystal clear water to swim with the native seal population.
The town has little to delay the visitor very long. Motueka Quay is OK and the Motueka Museum serves up the usual mix of Maori artefacts and testaments to the havoc the early Europeans wreaked on the area.

Eating, Sleeping and Drinking

Accommodation is readily available especially at the budget end of the market and for a town of this size Motueka punches above its weight with regard to the number of bars and restaurants on offer.