abel tasman from golden bay? nelson markets worth a night in takaka
Dec 6th, 2008, 03:29 PM
#1
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abel tasman from golden bay? nelson markets worth a night in takaka
hi me again.
would you give up a night in golden bay in favor of the nelson markets- or are the wares available in town during the week anyway?
i am debating returning early from golden bay just in order to "make" the market.
part of me thinks i will be bored after two nights in takaka (i am not a kayaker), but the other part thinks "what will i do in nelson for two nights once the market finishes?" any advice greatly appreciated.
i do like a good crafts market but will also be visiting chirstchurch'smarkets the previous weekend, so maybe it will be repetitive?
kerikeri
a last option of course is staying in moteuka, but on its own it's not appealing to me the way takaka and kaiteriteri are, so if i returned for the market, i would spend at least a night in nelson, which i was not planning to do.
or are the distances just not that bad and i'm driving myself mad?
i am pieces together accommodations based on acces to one of wilson's day trips...if i can access the same trips from the golden bay side, i would do that, but i get the sense that kaiteriteri is the 'it"place to organize these things.
would two nights be enough for takaka?
would you give up a night in golden bay in favor of the nelson markets- or are the wares available in town during the week anyway?
i am debating returning early from golden bay just in order to "make" the market.
part of me thinks i will be bored after two nights in takaka (i am not a kayaker), but the other part thinks "what will i do in nelson for two nights once the market finishes?" any advice greatly appreciated.
i do like a good crafts market but will also be visiting chirstchurch'smarkets the previous weekend, so maybe it will be repetitive?
kerikeri
a last option of course is staying in moteuka, but on its own it's not appealing to me the way takaka and kaiteriteri are, so if i returned for the market, i would spend at least a night in nelson, which i was not planning to do.
or are the distances just not that bad and i'm driving myself mad?
i am pieces together accommodations based on acces to one of wilson's day trips...if i can access the same trips from the golden bay side, i would do that, but i get the sense that kaiteriteri is the 'it"place to organize these things.
would two nights be enough for takaka?
Dec 6th, 2008, 08:05 PM
#2
Hi kerikeri -
I don't know anything about the Nelson markets, so can't help there.
As far as if two nights in Takaka is enough - what are you interested in doing while there?
It really comes down to what you like to do. If walking tracks, perhaps visiting Collingwood and/or Farewell Spit, visiting Pu Pu Springs, taking a boat into Abel Tasman, etc doesn't interest you, then yes, you could very well run out of things to do.
It takes about an hour to drive from Nelson to Motueka, then another 40 minutes to cross Takaka Hill to Golden Bay, then a little longer to actually reach Takaka.
Personally, I wouldn't make a day trip from Takaka to Nelson, but that's just me - I really don't like driving over Takaka Hill as it makes me carsick. Twice in one day would do me in.
Making a day trip from Kaiteriteri to Nelson is much shorter though, and it might be a good option for you (about an hour each way, no Takaka Hill to cross)
Kaiteriteri is very close to Motueka, so if Kaiteriteri is calling to you (which I can certainly relate to!), by all means stay in Kaiteriteri - there's certainly no reason to stay in both.
You can organize Abel Tasman activities from many places, including the Motueka Visitors Center, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, and the Takaka Visitors Center. Possibly the Nelson Visitors center too for that matter.
As for Nelson, there's loads to do there too - I doubt you'd have trouble filling your time there.
I don't know anything about the Nelson markets, so can't help there.
As far as if two nights in Takaka is enough - what are you interested in doing while there?
It really comes down to what you like to do. If walking tracks, perhaps visiting Collingwood and/or Farewell Spit, visiting Pu Pu Springs, taking a boat into Abel Tasman, etc doesn't interest you, then yes, you could very well run out of things to do.
It takes about an hour to drive from Nelson to Motueka, then another 40 minutes to cross Takaka Hill to Golden Bay, then a little longer to actually reach Takaka.
Personally, I wouldn't make a day trip from Takaka to Nelson, but that's just me - I really don't like driving over Takaka Hill as it makes me carsick. Twice in one day would do me in.
Making a day trip from Kaiteriteri to Nelson is much shorter though, and it might be a good option for you (about an hour each way, no Takaka Hill to cross)
Kaiteriteri is very close to Motueka, so if Kaiteriteri is calling to you (which I can certainly relate to!), by all means stay in Kaiteriteri - there's certainly no reason to stay in both.
You can organize Abel Tasman activities from many places, including the Motueka Visitors Center, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, and the Takaka Visitors Center. Possibly the Nelson Visitors center too for that matter.
As for Nelson, there's loads to do there too - I doubt you'd have trouble filling your time there.
Dec 6th, 2008, 10:33 PM
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i was hoping you'd reply- thanks.
if motueka is an hour from nelson, is kaiteriteri further 20k still or is it 20 minutes?
your account of the drive convinces me i would not commute to the nelson market, but maybe i could go back to motueka...that night? or the next morning? i'd have two more nights to fill and i could arrange to acces abel tasman from that side.
i guess i'm confused about the distances because i thought motueka was closer than it actually is!
i don't know why i'm shying away from nelson, probably because i'm always in cities and this is a chance not to be
if motueka is an hour from nelson, is kaiteriteri further 20k still or is it 20 minutes?
your account of the drive convinces me i would not commute to the nelson market, but maybe i could go back to motueka...that night? or the next morning? i'd have two more nights to fill and i could arrange to acces abel tasman from that side.
i guess i'm confused about the distances because i thought motueka was closer than it actually is!
i don't know why i'm shying away from nelson, probably because i'm always in cities and this is a chance not to be
Dec 6th, 2008, 10:52 PM
#4
Hi kerikeri -
I didn't mean to confuse you. Kaiteriteri is a 10-15 minute drive from Motueka. Motueka is about 50-60 minutes from Nelson. So yes, the drive from Kaiteriteri to Nelson will be a bit longer, BUT you're on the Nelson side of Takaka Hill, so it's a heck of a lot shorter than driving to Nelson from Takaka.
Many people stay in Nelson and visit Abel Tasman from there, but that's never made much sense to me as there are closer places to stay.
You could easily visit Nelson from Motueka if you want to go to the markets w/o staying overnight. You're looking at 50-60 minutes drive each way, but it's a pretty drive!
I didn't mean to confuse you. Kaiteriteri is a 10-15 minute drive from Motueka. Motueka is about 50-60 minutes from Nelson. So yes, the drive from Kaiteriteri to Nelson will be a bit longer, BUT you're on the Nelson side of Takaka Hill, so it's a heck of a lot shorter than driving to Nelson from Takaka.
Many people stay in Nelson and visit Abel Tasman from there, but that's never made much sense to me as there are closer places to stay.
You could easily visit Nelson from Motueka if you want to go to the markets w/o staying overnight. You're looking at 50-60 minutes drive each way, but it's a pretty drive!
Dec 7th, 2008, 09:14 AM
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thanks, melnq8, for clarifying.
since you've been, would you say the two main attractions at takaka: the clear springs and the farm from which you can hike and see the spit, are fairly close to town?
my concern was that each attraction would take a full day to do (driving and participating) leaving me no beach days?
thanks again!
since you've been, would you say the two main attractions at takaka: the clear springs and the farm from which you can hike and see the spit, are fairly close to town?
my concern was that each attraction would take a full day to do (driving and participating) leaving me no beach days?
thanks again!
Dec 7th, 2008, 10:10 AM
#6
The Nelson market is only on a Saturday morning from 8am -1pm, it actually starts packing up just after noon. It is a great market lots of crafts, organic food, jewelry etc. I have been to a several markets in Australia and would rate the Nelson one as better than I have seen there.
The Pupu Springs is probably about a 20 -30 minute drive from Takaka, however Farewell Spit is about a 90 minute drive and if your will taking a tour along the Spit itself would probably be a day trip.
Nelson is not a large city as such, I think you would find there would be enough to do for two days, especially if you have a car.
Tahunanui beach is a great beach to visit, there are some nice cafes, along the beach-front. There are also several wineries in the near vicinity in the Brightwater area. Rabbit Island is another nice beach to have a look at.
The Pupu Springs is probably about a 20 -30 minute drive from Takaka, however Farewell Spit is about a 90 minute drive and if your will taking a tour along the Spit itself would probably be a day trip.
Nelson is not a large city as such, I think you would find there would be enough to do for two days, especially if you have a car.
Tahunanui beach is a great beach to visit, there are some nice cafes, along the beach-front. There are also several wineries in the near vicinity in the Brightwater area. Rabbit Island is another nice beach to have a look at.
Dec 7th, 2008, 12:36 PM
#7
Couldn't you also visit the various craft and art galleries in Nelson without being there for the fair?
I didn't find it difficult to do a day trip to Abel Tasman from Nelson. The company that organizes the launches picks you up in time to coordinate with the water taxi etc.
That way I was able to stay in a nice B&B and do golf, shopping, and eating in Nelson, without having to rent a car for that leg of the trip.
I didn't find it difficult to do a day trip to Abel Tasman from Nelson. The company that organizes the launches picks you up in time to coordinate with the water taxi etc.
That way I was able to stay in a nice B&B and do golf, shopping, and eating in Nelson, without having to rent a car for that leg of the trip.
Dec 7th, 2008, 12:51 PM
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thanks, nelsonian, for that comparison and mlgb for that comment.
with a day free in nelson, would it be possible to see the arts and crafts in their natural habitat (the shops)? will they be open sunday, as that's pretty much the spare day i have...
i'm also not sure whether i'll be gutted to leave the whole beach area scene, or if it will be so overrun that i'll be happy to go.
lastly, it seems the kaiteriteri side is 'the' way to organize day treks into the park- but maybe i'm making the park out to be more complicated then need be. i tramp all the time and maybe these boats and kayaks have me thinking it is far more complex an undertaking than it actually is.
i mean, can i pull up to the park entrance and start walking, or is it necessary to take a boat?
oh, and i am not a full day tour type of person. i need to move at my own pace and get a bad headache after an hour on a boat.
i'm a lot of fun! whinge whinge.
thank you,
kerikeri
with a day free in nelson, would it be possible to see the arts and crafts in their natural habitat (the shops)? will they be open sunday, as that's pretty much the spare day i have...
i'm also not sure whether i'll be gutted to leave the whole beach area scene, or if it will be so overrun that i'll be happy to go.
lastly, it seems the kaiteriteri side is 'the' way to organize day treks into the park- but maybe i'm making the park out to be more complicated then need be. i tramp all the time and maybe these boats and kayaks have me thinking it is far more complex an undertaking than it actually is.
i mean, can i pull up to the park entrance and start walking, or is it necessary to take a boat?
oh, and i am not a full day tour type of person. i need to move at my own pace and get a bad headache after an hour on a boat.
i'm a lot of fun! whinge whinge.
thank you,
kerikeri
Dec 7th, 2008, 01:40 PM
#9
From Marahau (not far from Kaiteriteri) you can just park you car and walk into the park.
You can do the same from Totaranui on the Takaka side, but as I mentioned in a previous thread, it's more difficult to get to Totaranui.
Kaiteriteri is basically a small beach community.
The boats aren't as complicated as they sound. You can book a water taxi into the park from many places, including the Visitors Centers I mentioned earlier, or you can just call the boat service from your accommodation to book. The boats leave from Kaiteriteri, Maraharu, and Totaranui.
As far as attractions in the Takaka area:
The Farewell Spit tour is 7.5 hours - when we took it, it left from Collingwood around 10:30 and returned at 6. Then there's the drive to and from Collingwood, so it's definitely a full day.
If you want to do Cape Farewell on your own, you can freedom walk as far as the 4 km marker, but then it's private access (tour companies) after that.
You can also drive to Cape Farewell, then take the road to Wharariki Beach and walk to the beach via private property - it's only about 20 minutes from the carpark. You can usually see seals from Wharariki Beach.
Te Waikoropupu Springs Hydro Walk is 7 kms from from Takaka - it took us 90 minutes to walk the entire loop, which was more difficult than we expected. There's also a shorter walk just to the springs.
From Upper Takaka you can drive the 27 km to Cobb Valley and access several walking tracks.
You can also access the Heapy Track from Takaka - it's on the way to Collingwood, then about 33 km of unsealed, rough road to the trail head.
You can do the same from Totaranui on the Takaka side, but as I mentioned in a previous thread, it's more difficult to get to Totaranui.
Kaiteriteri is basically a small beach community.
The boats aren't as complicated as they sound. You can book a water taxi into the park from many places, including the Visitors Centers I mentioned earlier, or you can just call the boat service from your accommodation to book. The boats leave from Kaiteriteri, Maraharu, and Totaranui.
As far as attractions in the Takaka area:
The Farewell Spit tour is 7.5 hours - when we took it, it left from Collingwood around 10:30 and returned at 6. Then there's the drive to and from Collingwood, so it's definitely a full day.
If you want to do Cape Farewell on your own, you can freedom walk as far as the 4 km marker, but then it's private access (tour companies) after that.
You can also drive to Cape Farewell, then take the road to Wharariki Beach and walk to the beach via private property - it's only about 20 minutes from the carpark. You can usually see seals from Wharariki Beach.
Te Waikoropupu Springs Hydro Walk is 7 kms from from Takaka - it took us 90 minutes to walk the entire loop, which was more difficult than we expected. There's also a shorter walk just to the springs.
From Upper Takaka you can drive the 27 km to Cobb Valley and access several walking tracks.
You can also access the Heapy Track from Takaka - it's on the way to Collingwood, then about 33 km of unsealed, rough road to the trail head.
Dec 7th, 2008, 06:52 PM
#10
Nelson is chock full of galleries and museums, many will have Sunday hours (perhaps shorter hours).
You can get an idea by exploring the website
http://nelsonarts.org.nz/
You can get an idea by exploring the website
http://nelsonarts.org.nz/
Dec 7th, 2008, 08:10 PM
#11
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thanks to you both for the link and those great details.
it turns out i've found accommodation on 2 consecutive nights on either side of takaka hill, and i'll just do a one day point to point hike from kaiteriteri side and explore the pond and beaches on the other. no more drama.
so, where does everyone like to stop for food en route? and where in nelson?
kerikeri
it turns out i've found accommodation on 2 consecutive nights on either side of takaka hill, and i'll just do a one day point to point hike from kaiteriteri side and explore the pond and beaches on the other. no more drama.
so, where does everyone like to stop for food en route? and where in nelson?
kerikeri
Dec 7th, 2008, 08:30 PM
#12
Ah, food...
A few of my favorites -
Little India, with locations in Christchurch, Queenstown, Nelson and Dunedin.
Mantra (Indian), with locations in Arrowtown and Christchurch.
Indian Summer, Te Anau
La Toscana, Te Anau
The Smokehouse, located on Mapua Wharf (not sure about this one anymore, wasn't so good last time we ate there, but might be worth a look).
Flax, located on Mapua Wharf right next to the Smokehouse.
The Wholemeal Cafe, Takaka
The Brigand, Takaka
Penguins, Pohara (Golden Bay)
Waimea Estates, Richmond, Nelson - great lunches (winery).
A few of my favorites -
Little India, with locations in Christchurch, Queenstown, Nelson and Dunedin.
Mantra (Indian), with locations in Arrowtown and Christchurch.
Indian Summer, Te Anau
La Toscana, Te Anau
The Smokehouse, located on Mapua Wharf (not sure about this one anymore, wasn't so good last time we ate there, but might be worth a look).
Flax, located on Mapua Wharf right next to the Smokehouse.
The Wholemeal Cafe, Takaka
The Brigand, Takaka
Penguins, Pohara (Golden Bay)
Waimea Estates, Richmond, Nelson - great lunches (winery).
Dec 8th, 2008, 09:44 AM
#13
The latest hot restaurant in Nelson is Hopgood's, 284 Trafalgar Street.
03-545-7191, dinner Mon-Sat, lunch Tues-Sat..sorry no Sunday hours!
Do you know about cuisine.co.nz?
You can search their restaurant reviews and they have food ratings similar to Zagat.
03-545-7191, dinner Mon-Sat, lunch Tues-Sat..sorry no Sunday hours!
Do you know about cuisine.co.nz?
You can search their restaurant reviews and they have food ratings similar to Zagat.
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