South Island Tasman/Marlborough Region 2021
Tasman/Marlborough RegionSouth Island New Zealand 2021
Motueka
We are having a few nights in sunny Motueka NZMCA Camp.
We walked into town today along the walkway and did the shops. I bought some cycle shorts last year in Coppins Outdoor Centre and today bought some smaller ones we both have lost a lot of weight this year.
It’s a 6 km return walk taking in all the shops.
Moving on tomorrow towards Nelson we cross on the ferry in 3 weeks.
Tonight's stay
Nelson
Staying in Richmond Motorhome and Caravan Park for 7 days $120 on power. We took a look around Mapua craft shops and had lunch with Lynda and Selwyn Buckett.
Staying 7 daysNelsonFrom the Richmond Motorhome and Caravan Park, we biked along the waterfront toward the city turning around when the trail ran out 42 km return. With a chilling wind and a sore bum from not being on the bikes for so long, we were happy to get home.
42km-2hr returnNelsonA day off the bikes yesterday for bum recovery. We had a lovely BBQ dinner with the Foster family from Port Waikato and the Kanji family ex Port Waikato now living in Blenheim, great night thanks, guys.Today from Richmond Motorhome and Caravan Park, we picked up the cycle trail just down the road again and biked to Rabbit Island where the ferry takes people across to Mapua 40 km return. Lovely hot day with people on the beach.
Rabbit Island ferry wharf
Rabbit Island beaches
40km-2.30hr returnLast ride for Nelson from camp to Wakefield 36 km return.
Tomorrow moving on to Pelorus Bridge (Kahikatea Flat) Campground - Powered site on Doc Pass.
36km-2hrMiyazu Japanese GardenOn our way out of Nelson, we visited the Miyazu Japanese Garden small but cute.
Miyazu Japanese Garden Nelson
Pelorus BridgeWe are at Pelorus Bridge (Kahikatea Flat) Campground - Powered site on Doc Pass for 7 days. 
Staying 7 days
View from the bridgePelorus BridgeThe weather is drizzle and high humidity. We were keen to do the Trig K Lookout hike today taking in the waterfalls along the way, before the rain sets in properly making it even more slippery.The sign said 4hr return but we did the loop in 3hrs taking the climb at a snail's pace 8kms return.
Stopping at the cafe for a treat then back to the beautiful camp.
1st waterfall
2nd waterfall
Something broke the trig
New life growth
Fungi
8km-3hr loopPelorus BridgeDoc camp power sites are on the opposite side of the river where the main camp is.
We like having this part to ourselves secluded in the bush with a toilet and shower block.
If we want to use the washing machine and dryer it is over at the main camp.
The cafe with good food is handy just over the bridge in the car park.
Beautiful bush setting
driveway in
Shower and toilet blockPelorus BridgeThe Doc camp power sites are just off the main highway on Maungatapu Rd.
Roberts great grandfather lived on this road so we went for a bike ride to have a look around. At the end of the road is the start of the Pelorus Track and a 2hr return hike to the Emerald Pool.The ride 28km-2hr return from camp
Roberts Great Grandfathers house
This is cool and very well done
End of the road info on the hikes
some nice river crossings
28km-2hr return from campPelorus Bridge
Doc Camp's unpowered sites are down a long narrow drive beside the Cafe.
We drove over in the rain to do some washing.
The Marlborough Caravan Club is here, so it looked busy.
No passing on the drive-in
Campsites
Marlborough Caravan Ralley
More camping outback
Kitchen, Laundry, Toilet block
Kitchen 
Laundry
Pelorus Bridge
Tawa Walk, a short walk with some beautiful Tawa reaching for the heavens.
Pelorus Bridge
Daltons Track and Circle Loop Track
A 16km-4hr return hike, hard going walking most of it in farm paddocks following the river.
Interesting sights with trees being removed in the pine forestry on the hills. And staying on the fence line as requested while the girls are in the paddock, they didn't seem to mind us passing through.Got back just in time for a late lunch at the cafe.
Pelorus BridgeTotara Walk is a short walk and has access to the river, a nice way to spend our last day here. 
Havelock & OnamalutuFrom Pelorus Bridge our next stop was Havelock for a look and dump station facilities, before heading bush again staying 3 nights at Otamalutu Doc Camp (no internet or cell phone reception) flush toilets are spotless it cost us $5 per night for power after our Doc Pass.We managed a walk and bike ride, but the main walks were closed due to storm damage earlier in the year.
Reading about the Doc Camps north from Havelock most are closed because of access due to storm damage. It’s taking a huge effort from Doc to sort out the Marlborough Region. We look forward to doing more here when we return.
We have moved to Blenheim racecourse for 2 nights $12 per van. There is a toilet and washing machine but we have parked on the grass along the drive this time so will save the washing for Picton tomorrow.
I had done some research online and found a good clothing shop in Blenheim for the last of what we needed for summer even down to a swimsuit, happy to get that out of the way before crossing to the North Island.
Bike ride
Walk
PictonSitting first in line at the Interisland Ferry Terminal, our trip has been brought forward to sail at 10 am and is going to take an extra hour because we will exit Queen Charlotte Sound through the northern entrance.Feeling lazy we only visited Edwin Fox Ship Museum for $5 per adult, and frog managed to get a haircut before we pass over to the other side. They wanted double to cut mine virtually the same cut sexist I say so would rather stay scruffy.
We stayed overnight at Crow Tavern and had a nice roast dinner, all very convenient.
We decided to travel up the East Coast from this time, taking a week to get to the Auckland border.
InterislanderOnly five of us in the Plus Lounge, bonus!!
Useful Links:
Tasman/Marlborough Region
South Island New Zealand
2021
Motueka
We are having a few nights in sunny Motueka NZMCA Camp.
We walked into town today along the walkway and did the shops. I bought some cycle shorts last year in Coppins Outdoor Centre and today bought some smaller ones we both have lost a lot of weight this year.
It’s a 6 km return walk taking in all the shops.
Moving on tomorrow towards Nelson we cross on the ferry in 3 weeks.
We are having a few nights in sunny Motueka NZMCA Camp.
We walked into town today along the walkway and did the shops. I bought some cycle shorts last year in Coppins Outdoor Centre and today bought some smaller ones we both have lost a lot of weight this year.
It’s a 6 km return walk taking in all the shops.
Moving on tomorrow towards Nelson we cross on the ferry in 3 weeks.
Tonight's stay
Staying in Richmond Motorhome and Caravan Park for 7 days $120 on power. We took a look around Mapua craft shops and had lunch with Lynda and Selwyn Buckett.
Staying 7 days
Nelson
From the Richmond Motorhome and Caravan Park, we biked along the waterfront toward the city turning around when the trail ran out 42 km return. With a chilling wind and a sore bum from not being on the bikes for so long, we were happy to get home.
42km-2hr return
Nelson
A day off the bikes yesterday for bum recovery. We had a lovely BBQ dinner with the Foster family from Port Waikato and the Kanji family ex Port Waikato now living in Blenheim, great night thanks, guys.
Today from Richmond Motorhome and Caravan Park, we picked up the cycle trail just down the road again and biked to Rabbit Island where the ferry takes people across to Mapua 40 km return. Lovely hot day with people on the beach.
Rabbit Island ferry wharf
Rabbit Island beaches
40km-2.30hr return
Last ride for Nelson from camp to Wakefield 36 km return.
Tomorrow moving on to Pelorus Bridge (Kahikatea Flat) Campground - Powered site on Doc Pass.
36km-2hr
Miyazu Japanese Garden
On our way out of Nelson, we visited the Miyazu Japanese Garden small but cute.
Miyazu Japanese Garden Nelson
Pelorus Bridge
We are at Pelorus Bridge (Kahikatea Flat) Campground - Powered site on Doc Pass for 7 days.
Staying 7 days
View from the bridge
Pelorus Bridge
The weather is drizzle and high humidity. We were keen to do the Trig K Lookout hike today taking in the waterfalls along the way, before the rain sets in properly making it even more slippery.
The sign said 4hr return but we did the loop in 3hrs taking the climb at a snail's pace 8kms return.
Stopping at the cafe for a treat then back to the beautiful camp.
1st waterfall
2nd waterfall
Something broke the trig
New life growth
Fungi
8km-3hr loop
Pelorus Bridge
Doc camp power sites are on the opposite side of the river where the main camp is.
We like having this part to ourselves secluded in the bush with a toilet and shower block.
If we want to use the washing machine and dryer it is over at the main camp.
The cafe with good food is handy just over the bridge in the car park.
We like having this part to ourselves secluded in the bush with a toilet and shower block.
If we want to use the washing machine and dryer it is over at the main camp.
The cafe with good food is handy just over the bridge in the car park.
Beautiful bush setting
driveway in
Shower and toilet block
Pelorus Bridge
The Doc camp power sites are just off the main highway on Maungatapu Rd.
Roberts great grandfather lived on this road so we went for a bike ride to have a look around. At the end of the road is the start of the Pelorus Track and a 2hr return hike to the Emerald Pool.
The ride 28km-2hr return from camp
Roberts Great Grandfathers house
This is cool and very well done
End of the road info on the hikes
some nice river crossings
28km-2hr return from camp
Pelorus Bridge
Doc Camp's unpowered sites are down a long narrow drive beside the Cafe.
We drove over in the rain to do some washing.
The Marlborough Caravan Club is here, so it looked busy.
Doc Camp's unpowered sites are down a long narrow drive beside the Cafe.
We drove over in the rain to do some washing.
The Marlborough Caravan Club is here, so it looked busy.
No passing on the drive-in
Campsites
Marlborough Caravan Ralley
More camping outback
Kitchen, Laundry, Toilet block
Kitchen
Laundry
Pelorus Bridge
Tawa Walk, a short walk with some beautiful Tawa reaching for the heavens.
Pelorus Bridge
Daltons Track and Circle Loop Track
A 16km-4hr return hike, hard going walking most of it in farm paddocks following the river.
Daltons Track and Circle Loop Track
A 16km-4hr return hike, hard going walking most of it in farm paddocks following the river.
Interesting sights with trees being removed in the pine forestry on the hills. And staying on the fence line as requested while the girls are in the paddock, they didn't seem to mind us passing through.
Got back just in time for a late lunch at the cafe.
Pelorus Bridge
Totara Walk is a short walk and has access to the river, a nice way to spend our last day here.
Havelock & Onamalutu
From Pelorus Bridge our next stop was Havelock for a look and dump station facilities, before heading bush again staying 3 nights at Otamalutu Doc Camp (no internet or cell phone reception) flush toilets are spotless it cost us $5 per night for power after our Doc Pass.
We managed a walk and bike ride, but the main walks were closed due to storm damage earlier in the year.
Reading about the Doc Camps north from Havelock most are closed because of access due to storm damage. It’s taking a huge effort from Doc to sort out the Marlborough Region. We look forward to doing more here when we return.
We have moved to Blenheim racecourse for 2 nights $12 per van. There is a toilet and washing machine but we have parked on the grass along the drive this time so will save the washing for Picton tomorrow.
I had done some research online and found a good clothing shop in Blenheim for the last of what we needed for summer even down to a swimsuit, happy to get that out of the way before crossing to the North Island.
Reading about the Doc Camps north from Havelock most are closed because of access due to storm damage. It’s taking a huge effort from Doc to sort out the Marlborough Region. We look forward to doing more here when we return.
We have moved to Blenheim racecourse for 2 nights $12 per van. There is a toilet and washing machine but we have parked on the grass along the drive this time so will save the washing for Picton tomorrow.
I had done some research online and found a good clothing shop in Blenheim for the last of what we needed for summer even down to a swimsuit, happy to get that out of the way before crossing to the North Island.
Bike ride
Walk
Picton
Sitting first in line at the Interisland Ferry Terminal, our trip has been brought forward to sail at 10 am and is going to take an extra hour because we will exit Queen Charlotte Sound through the northern entrance.
Feeling lazy we only visited Edwin Fox Ship Museum for $5 per adult, and frog managed to get a haircut before we pass over to the other side. They wanted double to cut mine virtually the same cut sexist I say so would rather stay scruffy.
We stayed overnight at Crow Tavern and had a nice roast dinner, all very convenient.
We decided to travel up the East Coast from this time, taking a week to get to the Auckland border.
Only five of us in the Plus Lounge, bonus!!
Useful Links: