Mon, 30th Mar, 2026 (part2) Motueka Beach Reserve, Motueka to Uruwhenua Reserve by Takaka River, near Takaka, NZ (Labryinth Rocks & Te Waikoropupu Springs)

Around the pub and along Abel Tasman Road to Labyrinth Rocks near the access to the rubbish transfer station.

Backed up to the rocks in the little car park.

Had our lunch first in the camper. Had to open the windows, a lot hotter than the 20 degrees forecasted - camper temp says 31 degrees. Wonderful for us.

Wandered through the karst limestone rocks discovered by a chap and preserved for all to enjoy. We followed the map trying to find the different shaped rocks pointed out on the map.

The waterslide. Found another one.

Kept going - found the Big Mouth.

Continued up the narrow path to the Camels Head then the Grand Canyon which was a gap between two lines of rocks.

Kept going to the Amphitheatre. Further on it got muddy as we headed to the Snake Pit which wasn’t much to see.

Back out and up the next short ‘lane’ to Stonehenge.

We have noticed a few toys left behind - maybe a kid treasure hunt.

This one is ‘kissing pigs’!

Muddy track again. This looks more like ‘snake pit’ but they call it ‘octopus alley’ - also a good name.

Another toy at The Alligator.

The Glacier.

Gate - goes into someone's back yard. Great playground for kids.

Last lane to the Maze.

Headed back - found the Witches Cauldron.

I named this one ‘Toadstool’.

Some more interesting shapes as we headed back to the camper.

Back to Abel Tasman Road and back to town. Clouds are building and hanging off the mountains.

Passed a big dairy place. Back to the main road and continued into farms and across the Takaka River on the Waitapu Bridge - not far from the mouth.

Left turn, across clear water creek for 3km drive on winding road to Te Waikoropupu Springs - one of the world’s clearest freshwater and old gold mining sites.

Lots of great information and a greenstone to rub.

Headed off for the walk. Fish Creek flowing very fast - there are 12 springs that feed this creek.

Interesting rock. Old mining rock walls.

Arrived at the springs - two distinct spring areas. So clear so it was easy to see where it is bubbling up then it flows down Springs River (the one we crossed to get here) to flow into the Takaka River.

Walked around the edge to next viewing area.

Then on to Dancing Sand Spring.

Continued along the boardwalk onto the track through old gold workings alongside Fish Creek.

Back to the camper and headed back out. As we cross Springs River we see a sign for the hydro power station further up the mountain.

Back on the main road continuing towards Collingwood.