Destination guides > Pacific Islands > New Zealand > Nelson-Tasman Region > Motueka
Motueka
Motueka is a lively little town that stretches just a few kilometres in the midst of large expanses of farmland and scenic mountain ranges. It is a great place to stay with easy access to the Abel Tasman National Park, as there are cheap places to stay and eat and tours can easily be booked from here. Some backpackers also come here to work on farms in the area. There is a good museum in town with exhibits on the town’s history and Māori culture.
Practical information
Motueka i-SITE Visitor Centre
20 Wallace Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 6543
Website www.motuekaisite.co.nz
Open 8am-5pm daily
INTERNET ACCESS
Kiwi Konnection
113 High Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 5325
Website www.kiwiconnection.co.nz
Open 10am-10pm daily
Coming & going
InterCity Coachlines (tel (03) 365 1113) have buses to Blenheim, Christchurch, Nelson, Picton and the West Coast.
Abel Tasman Coachlines (tel (03) 548 0285) and Southern Link K Bus (tel (03) 358 8355 or 0508 458 835) have shuttle buses to destinations around Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay.
Buses stop at Motueka i-SITE Visitor Centre (20 Wallace Street, Motueka).
Hostel accommodation
Bakers Lodge YHA
4 Poole Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 0102
Happy Apple Backpackers
500 High Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 8652
Hat Trick Lodge
25 Wallace Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 5353
The Laughing Kiwi
310 High Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 9229
Motueka Backpackers
200 High Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 7581
The White Elephant
55 Whakarewa Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 6208
Eating & drinking
There are plenty of cafés and restaurants along High Street in Motueka, so it isn’t hard to find a cheap place to eat. For breakfast try the European-style bakery Patisserie Royale (152 High Street, Motueka) for cheap quality baked goods. The Rolling Pin Bakery (100 High Street, Motueka) also has great cheap sandwiches, pies and smoothies. For lunch, The Swinging Sultan (172 High Street, Motueka) offers good coffee and kebabs. It is just next to the CyberWorld Internet Café on High Street. For Italian lunch or dinner, the Bakehouse Café and Pizzeria (21 Wallace Street, Motueka) serves relatively cheap food in an atmospheric setting. At night, many backpackers head to the Dodgy Ref Sports Bar (121 High Street, Motueka) for cheap pub food and drink specials.
If you are on a strict budget, there is a FreshChoice supermarket (108 High Street, Motueka). There are also a few good organic fruit and vegetable markets scattered through the town. This is a good way to eat cheaply while sampling some of the locally grown produce.
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Motueka District Museum
This regional museum is housed in the town’s old school building and it features displays on local history, genealogy and Māori culture.
140 High Street, Motueka
Tel (03) 528 7660
Admission $1-2 donation
Open summer 10am-3pm daily; winter Mon-Fri 10am-3pm
Follow us: |
