Mon, 30th Mar, 2026 (part1) Motueka Beach Reserve, Motueka to Uruwhenua Reserve by Takaka River, Takaka, NZ (exploring Motueka & Takaka)

Cooper is 6 months old today.

Heavier rain during the night. Min of 15 degrees, max of 20. Partly sunny now. View from the camper.

Bit brighter inland - some blue sky, as we drove around to the wharf area. Very smelly here. Checked out the history information and the view of the channel.

The map shows the ‘island’ across from the wharf and further along the spit that comes up from the township of Tasman.

Back along the foreshore to the wreck of the Janie Seddon. Perfect reflection with the high tide.

History info in the shelter area.

Found the info about the wreck.

Walked along the ‘old wharf’ site. So calm. This water is protected by the big spit further north that goes around to the south.

Continued along Motueka Quay (name of the estuary) to the start of the spit. It is a narrow sand spit and covered in lots of driftwood. Someone made a teepee. Cook Strait on the other side.

Back onto High Street. Will check out the town on the way back as we are heading up to Farewell Spit (northern point of the South Island). Heading north-west to Collingwood first. More fruit trees. Across Motueka River - nearly at the mouth where it flows into Cook Strait.

View to the mountains as we near the next little town of Riwaka.

Started the climb up a steep winding range. Great view over the orchards.

Then more views up the valley.

Good road. Stopped at roadworks.

Climbing through natural forest with pine plantations below and up the mountain sides. Going above the ‘clouds’.

Still climbing. Passed a marble and lime works that is tucked into a hill.

Levelling off then we stop at Hawkes Lookout, part of the Kahurangi NP. Free camping spot here in the car park but only for a few vehicles. 400m elevation.

Walked through the trees and karst limestone with ‘nature-sculptured’ shapes - Steve’s wording.

Beautiful view to Motueka and across the water towards Nelson.

Continued on a few more bends then turned off into another lookout above Ngarua Caves. We are looking over Marahau and Cook Strait.

Had a cuppa then headed down to Ngarua Caves to check it out. Sounds interesting so do it on the way back.

Continued on with karst rocks everywhere. Still climbing around the edge of the mountains - just enough room on the road. Wish we had our Hema to see what the elevation is etc. Downwards to more farms.

Pulled off beside Takaka Hill. There is a hike to the summit - not for us today. New ropeway - definitely not for us.

Downwards to the next valley. Someone parked in the middle of the small lookout car park so we could fit as it was on the point of a hair pin turn. I got a photo out the window as we passed.

Continued down a bit to the next pull off - got my photos and spotted two animal skins - goat?

Down to one hairpin turn then down to Eureka Bend where a ute overtook us.

Another hairpin turn, more great views.

Last one as we head down into the valley.

Through the few homes of Upper Takaka. Continued alongside Takaka River but can’t see it.

Pulled off before a bridge to check out a free camping area by the river - looks good so might stop there on way back.

Across the Takaka River then continued on through bright green pastures. The valley widens as we continue on with the mountains still looming over us on either side.

Through more farming land then across the Takaka River again where the Waingaro River flows into it.

Into Takaka township and pulled up at the Information Centre. Checked out the things to do in the area which is known as Golden Bay.

Nice view over to the mountains.

Walked across the road to check out a mural on the side of the supermarket. It is on the land once called the Junction according to the history plaque in the car park. The map shows Farewell Spit which looks like a Kiwi.

Wandered down the road. More history about the Telegraph Hotel on the corner. Diesel only 333.9c/l which is surprising considering we are more remote but I suppose it comes in by ship from Nelson.

Continued down the main street looking for more history plaques and checking out the shops - certainly not the shops I was expecting. There are lots of different shops - a bit hippy-style and it is buzzing with people. The cafes are busy too. Kaylene and Wendy would love it here. Lots of art and murals too.

Back to the camper.