There's so much to see and do while visiting Manuka Island and the Nelson Area.
Just twenty minutes from Nelson City and Motueka, Manuka Island is located in the centre of Nelson's award winning wineries, cafes, olive groves and art studios.
Manuka Island is three minutes drive to Rabbit Island beach reserve. Rabbit Island is known as the "jewel" in the Tasman Bay with its long white sandy beach which is very safe for swimming. It also has numerous walking, biking trails and a favourite for picnic's and barbeques.
It makes a lovely relaxing flat bike ride to Rabbit Island from Manuka Island, using the Tasman Great Taste Cycle Trail which is a kilometre from our gate.
We provide free use of quality bicycles especially suited for local use on the Tasman Great Taste Cycle Trail (conditions apply).
For those wanting cycle trips further away we recommend Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours.
Manuka Island is recognised by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) and The NZ Ornithological Society as a very unique and special ecological area with its habitat and endangered birds, such as Banded Rail, Fern bird and NZ Bittern. Official bird counts on Manuka Island are done at regular intervals. In both the Eco Cottage and Karaka Studio we provide a comprehensive NZ bird book and binoculars for interested guests. Many of our guests (even ones that have never done it before) enjoy sitting quietly on the deck enjoying being amateur ornithologists, doing their own bird counts during their stay.
Seifrieds Vineyard is an easy walk or bike ride, also just a kilometre from the end of our drive. There are numerous other vineyards and cafes in close proximity.
Mapua is a little Coastal township (visible from your bed at Manuka Island) which has many boutique cafe, restaurants and beer brewery. It is ten minutes drive from Manuka Island.
Christine Boswick's famous pottery studio is just across the estuary and her work, along with other New Zealand international artists such as Katie Gould, Royce McGlashen and Maureen Ryan are in our cottages.
Manuka Island is central (within 60 minutes drive) to three well known National Parks - The Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks. These are ideal for kayaking, swimming, walking or site seeing.
There are four beautiful swimming rivers within 30 minutes drive- the Motueka, Aniseed, Lee and Wairoa Rivers. They all have lovely clear fresh water with great pools and picnic areas.
Fly fishing rivers include the Motueka River, but just a bit further away (60-90 minutes drive) are the famous trout fishing rivers of the Buller, Matakitaki Rivers as well as beautiful Nelson Lakes National Park.
For the golfer, there is a choice of 5 golf courses within an easy drive (the closest is Greenacres Golf Course, just five minutes away).
Nelson Saturday Market is very popular and has high quality local crafts. Motueka has a Sunday market.
You are very welcome to stroll around our 14 acre property whilst experiencing the stunning, ever-changing vista. We are also happy to advise you on what activities would be most suitable to help you have an enjoyable stay. Please feel free to contact us.
