Mapua, Motueka and Kaiteriteri - Coastal drives, vast accessible beaches, interesting eateries, wonderful walks, is self drive New Zealand at its very best.
All these destinations are easily reached in half a day or less, north west of Nelson on State Highway 60, on your way to Golden Bay.
Below are our favourite RentAClassic detours on this lovely local road trip.
Rabbit Island: for BBQs and Picnics, with huge flat sandy beaches, with wineries on the way like the Seifried Estate and its amazing Sweet Agnes dessert wine, for people who don't like dessert wines!
Mapua and Moutere: Mapua provides galleries and gifts, fresh Fish & Chips and Ice Creams on the wharf, (SmokeHouse), and ferry trips, (for people and bikes only), across the estuary to Rabbit Island above. Many of our coastal drive videos were filmed in Ruby Bay and also by the Gravity Cellars and restaurant in the Upper Moutere area, which is well worth the slight inland diversion for the dipping and diving scenic roads that sports cars and cruisers will love.
En route: Jester House Cafe (Fridays only) with Feeding Eels & unique "Mother Hubbard" Accommodation.
Motueka: Gateway to the Abel Tasman with Cafes, Galleries and fresh fruit farm shops. Also wonderful walks by the sea as the live webcam below overlooking the estuary should reveal, (in daylight hours anyway....)
Kaiteriteri: Voted one of the best beaches in the world by the UK Guardian newspaper. Stay and be pampered at Kimi Ora Eco Resort with outdoor and indoor spas and pools, and wonderful vegetarian menu. The place to catch regular water taxis to memorable Abel Tasman tours and seaside walks. A short drive away is the lovely Split Apple Rock beach, (just a 5 minute walk from the road, signposted off the main road).
Just further on through a lovely twisting and turning woodland and waterside drive is Marahau, the start of the Abel Tasman walks, kayaking or horse treks.
