We have been pottering about in Nelson & Tasman over the past few days.

Before heading to Nelson, after a very windy road, we stop for the night at Okiwi Bay. What a gorgeous place it is. And we managed to have a swim. Cath has rediscovered her love of diving and had several from the swimming platform – great fun. We also did the Fairy Walk through some bush…

Nelson – We stopped in Nelson to visit family and whilst we were there had a quick look around – we plan to revisit again. We visited All Saints’ Church in Nelson where Don’s Uncle Malcom was the Vicar as well as being the Archdeacon of Nelson. It has a very special feel about it. We visited the Cathedral too, which has very different architecture. Also spotted some great street art.

Riwaka – After Nelson, we stopped at the Riwaka Resurgence where the Riwaka river pours out of Takaka Hill. You walk through the forest to where the river emerges. Usually this pool and river are clear but after 2 days of rain, it was a rather muddy brown colour. What force the water had though.

Motueka – we stop for flat whites and a date scone at Toad Hall, a very quirky cafe and grocery store.

Takaka – we stop for the night near Takaka before visiting Tu Waikoropupu Springs. There are simply not enough superlatives to describe this place. Some facts: the springs (known as Pupū Springs), discharge 14,000 litres of water per second. In 1993, NIWA carried out optical measurements under water and found that the visibility was 63 metres. The water clarity is a result of natural filtering prior to the water’s emergence at Te Waikoropupū Springs. These springs are sacred. These pictures have not been edited or filtered in any way – what you see here is what we saw. Simply breath taking.

Pupu Hydro Walkway – From the Springs, we take a short drive to Pupu Hydro Walkway and once on the water race, feel like we have been teleported back to a levada walk in Madeira! What a feat of engineering this place is. Please read this information from their website: Where nature, history, energy, conservation and community comes together for an outstanding and educational experience. The historic Hydro Walkway is a 1 hour and 50 minute circuit that passes through the mature beech/podocarp forest of Kahurangi National Park; alongside a historic gold miner’s water race; across aqueducts that were a masterpiece of engineering of their time; through areas of regenerating forest and pakihi; to the fully restored and operational Pupu Hydro Society’s powerhouse. Whilst it was a hard slog walking up to the weir – even on what is said to be the ‘easier’ route up – the walk along the water race is just sublime and the views…!

Mussel Inn, Onekaka – we finish our day with a visit to the Mussel Inn. This place is fabulous, so very quirky. Great tap beers and delicious food. https://musselinn.co.nz/