Discover Motueka
Motueka is an expanding town located on State Highway 60, on the western side of Tasman Bay. Positioned just west of Māpua and approximately 10 kilometres from Kaiteriteri, it is a convenient access point to the Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay via Takaka Hill. Historically known for its hop cultivation, Motueka has evolved into a lively hub that caters to both tourists and a growing local population.
Motueka Quay and the Janie Seddon Shipwreck
The town is bisected by the main highway, but a detour along Old Wharf Road will lead you to Motueka Quay, which stretches along the waterfront. At the southern end of the quay, you'll find the picturesque Janie Seddon shipwreck, a notable landmark. After viewing the wreck and the nearby historic wharf, head to the northern end of the quay, near the golf course. Here, you can wade across a small inlet to reach a 6-kilometre-long sand peninsula.
A Unique Beach Experience
The ocean side of this spit features a sandy beach, for a distinctive walking experience and a pleasant spot to relax. If you prefer to keep your feet dry, you can access the spit from the north end of Staples Street.
The Home of Hops
Motueka was traditionally inhabited by Ngāti Rārua and Te Ātiawa iwi, who valued the fertile river flats and coastal access for seasonal food gathering and cultivation. European settlers arrived in the 1840s, and among them were German immigrants who brought with them specialist knowledge of hop growing and brewing, particularly from regions like Bavaria and Bohemia.
Recognising the region’s ideal combination of sunshine, well-drained soils, and cool evenings, these settlers began cultivating hops alongside other crops, helping to establish a commercial hops industry by the late 19th century. Their expertise in trellising, drying, and processing laid the foundation for what would become New Zealand’s premier hop-growing area. In recent decades, the global rise of craft brewing has further elevated Motueka’s profile, with locally developed varieties like Motueka™ and Riwaka™ sought after by brewers worldwide.
Several restaurants and bars around Motueka offer opportunities to try out the local hop flavours.
Getting to Motueka
To reach Motueka from Nelson, follow State Highway 6 southwest, then take State Highway 60 northwest, which runs through the town and continues to Golden Bay. The drive takes 40 minutes and is 42 km.
Other nearby places to visit include the Riuwaka Resurgence, Hawkes Lookout on Takaka Hill, with views across Motueka and Tasman Bay, and day walks and kayaking options in Abel Tasman National Park.
