South Island Tasman Region 2020 Part 1

Tasman Region Part 1

South Island New Zealand

2020

Tasman Motor Camp

We had a lovely morning exploring Nelson, after lunch, we had a short drive to Tasman Motor Camp

(NZMCA Campsaver $20 for us on power. Didn’t use the pool but had a lovely hot shower

Landmark on the drive from Nelson

Motueka

Departed Tasman Motorcamp after a good night and lovely clean facilities. 12 minute

trip to Motueka NZMCA Camp booked in for 5 nights at this stage waiting for the new seasons' Doc

Pass to arrive.

Today's drive

Tonight’s park

NZMCA Motueka

Motueka

Wondering around town this morning we found the Town Clock, Kiyosato Garden, Motueka Historical Foot Path really enjoyed the footpath with plaques with photo and dates, and the Jane Seddon or what left of her.

About a 7km walk with no rain turning to drizzle when we got home, lunch then read a book.

Town Clock

Kiysato Garden

Motueka Historical Footpath is interesting paques with Photos

Jane Seddon

What left of the Jane Seddon

Motueka

Today’s ride around Motueka with Lynda and Selwyn Buckett, hot enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt.

Cool Planter

Motueka Wharf

Floating Trailer

Saltwater swimming pools

Selwyn

Waterfront View

Robert, Lynda, and Selwyn

Marahau Beach

Wet and soggy all day today we moved west to Marahau Beach Camp NZMCA camp saver)

Tonight's park

Able Tasman Coast Track

We woke to a stunning day after a day of rain yesterday.

A short drive from the Marahau motor camp is the start of the track we walked to the first doc tent camp where we came across a black fantail and the first baby fantail I have seen. On the walk are Tinline Bay and beautiful views.

Called Kaiteriteri Bay for lunch.

Back in Motueka NZMCA to meet up with Robin and Jacque Porter joining our little group.

We all met in the far north of the North Island last year, lovely

Lovely carved entrance

Starting on boardwalks

Robert and Selwyn

Love this coastal swamp

Tinline Bay

Fay

Selwyn and Robert

Tinline Bay

Lynda

Black Fan Tail

Mum fantail

Baby Fan Tail

Weka

Look out on the walk

Kaiteriteri

Riwaka Resurgence

We left Motueka Wednesday after spending the night at the NZMCA where we met up with Robin and Jacque who joined our little group our guide leaders being Selwyn and Lynda well known in the Able Tasman we feel privileged to have them spend time with us.

First, stop Riwaka Resurgence at this site the Riwaka River springs out from the mountain. A special place for Maoris because of the incredibly clear water. Well worth the short stroll, unfortunately, a tree had fallen over the cave but we were still able to view half so indeed luck was on our side.

Entrance

Riwaka Resurgence Cave

Hawkes Lookout

Top of Takaka Hill and a short walk brought us to a platform with super views.

Selwyn and Lynda

Fay, Robert, Robin, Selwyn, Lynda

Port Tarakohe

We stopped for a late lunch at Port Tarakohe deciding to move to the Doc camp.

View on the drive

Port Tarakohe

Lunch at the NZMCA Port Tarakohe

Port Tarakohe

View on the drive

Totaranui

Totaranui Doc Camp Site, last 12kms is a narrow, winding, gravel road but well worth it. The three Motor homes managed to wiggle past a truck and trailer delivering gravel for the road, a bit of a heart-stopping moment.

Scenic campsite on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.

We got straight into cooking crayfish for happy hour.

Staying Three nights. No wifi

Check-in info office

Totaranui Beach

Jacque

Tonight's camp

Happy hour

Kereru

Anapai Bay

Just under 10km return we stopped off at Ngarata Homestead for a look-see before carrying on to Anapai Bay. We enjoyed this walk immensely returning via the headland track.

We got back and had a joint effort dinner early while the sun was up, lighting the fire for marshmallow roasting for dessert.

Fay and Selwyn

Robin

Robert, Selwyn, Robin

Lynda

Lynda, Jacque, Fay

Lynda, Selwyn, Robert, Ro

View from the lookout

Yummy dinner

Selwyn's Mussels

Lynda

Selwyn, Lynda, Fay, Jacque

Selwyn and Lynda

Awaroa Bay

It was a steady 10km walk to Awaroa stopping at Skinner Point for photos. We had to take off our boots to get across the estuary wading in freezing cold water cockle shells stopping for lunch on the other side. We had booked an Aqua taxi at 2pm from the bay so we were mindful of the time there was no way we wanted to walk back via those hills.

It was a fun way to end the day.

Wainui Falls

Time to leave rain is on its way, first, stop Wainui Falls 2km (40min) enjoyable walk from the car park.

Jacque

Fay, Robin, Robert

Wainui Falls

Robyn, Jacque, Fay, Robert

Port Tarakohe

Next, we stopped to take in the monument for Abel Tasman and the views. Then onto tonight’s stay at the NZMCA Park

Abel Tasman monument

View from monument

Tonight's park

Sunset tonight

Golden Bay

Rain set in after lunch after threatening all morning Selwyn and Lynda had a treat lined up for us. We were joined by Denise and Calvin Hunt who we met at Motueka NZMCA another north Island couple living on the road, off the 8 of us went into the back of beyond.

We ended up being introduced to a private collector, none of us had seen a private collection like it we were blown away.

What a great treat for a rainy day.

Takaka

Labyrinth Rocks Park

We have ended up in Takaka for the night in the middle of town in a private park up.

We had a break in the weather this afternoon the Labyrinth Rocks Park is only 4 minutes from town so had a stroll.

Takaka

Love the shops!!

We started with breakfast at the Wholemeal Cafe an old converted picture theatre then had a serious stock up at the bottle store and supermarket and we girls hit the shops each of us finding that little something that took our eye.

Golden Bay

Te Waikoropupu Springs, Beautiful and special

Collingwood

The Mussel Inn, liquid lunch

Lynda and Selwyn

Pakawau

Old School Cafe & Bar tonight’s stay Pop Stop by donation or $15 for power site

Pakawau

Moved over the road to Pakawau Beach Camp

On NZMCA camp saver, the weather isn't too good so going to stay two nights.

Pakawau to Puponga

A short drive from camp to Puponga then we walked the loop track not reaching fossil bay because the tide was in.

Lynda

Robert

Pakawau

Moody weather...

Pakawau Beach nice relaxing day today in camp went for a short walk at low tide.

Pakawau Beach

Good morning world up early to try and catch the low tide for a walk on the west coast today.

Wharariki Beach

We had a short drive from camp this morning to the beautiful Wharariki Beach and Cape Farewell. We all had a stroll on the beach then Jacque and Robin did the clifftop walk while the rest we drove with Lynda and Selwyn to Cape Farewell to pick them up.

Lynda, Selwyn, Jacque, Robyn

Cape Farewell

Peacock in the car park

Peahens

Collingwood

We headed back to Port Tarakohe NZMCA after our morning at the beach, along the way we were looking out for the Spoonbills we saw a couple of days earlier.

We stopped for lunch at Collingwood Courthouse Cafe.

Then onto Tarakohe Camp finished the afternoon with a walk to the Penguin nests no one was home but interesting.

Spoonbills

Port Tarakohe

Kaiteriteri

After a bike ride to Grove Scenic Reserve, we had lunch and left camp, arriving at Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve we are staying here for a week to have a rest and enjoy having a quiet look around.

It is an amazing large camp across the road from the beach.