Enjoy our story of two families (3 adults, 9 year old boy/girl, a 7 year old girl and 6 year old boy) riding the Great Taste Trail over 3 days from Nelson to Kaiteriteri in the South Island, New Zealand.
When we make the effort and take the time to go on a biking adventure with the family we want it to be an enjoyable experience. To help plan your adventure read about these families experience riding the 78km from Nelson to Kaiteriteri part of the Great Taste Trail.
Where is it?
The Great Taste Trail starts in Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand. There are multiple places to join the trail within the city or you can fly in and start from the airport.
The ride and is it doable for you?
The Great Taste Trail is a loop in Tasman. We are riding the coastal section of the loop from Nelson to Kaiteriteri. At the time of riding this section of the trail was the most developed though the rest of the loop is being developed.
We have chosen to do it over 4 days of riding with one of the days riding in the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park before heading home.
Car Shuttle – We had someone accompanying us will a car shuttling gear. There are options for gear and car transfers available if this would suit your family better.
DAY ONE – Nelson to Ruby Bay – 36km – is it doable?
Biking – We started our ride in Nelson City. It is a flat ride around the coast of Nelson to Rabbit Island, where you get the Mapua Ferry across a narrow channel to Mapua. Please check the ferry timetable as it only crosses the channel once an hour. It was good getting the longest day completed on our first day.
Accommodation – Camped overnight at Ruby Bay McKee Domain.
4km before you reaching Ruby Bay is the beautiful village of Mapua. There are several different accommodation options in Mapua and therefore maybe a more suitable place for you to stay.
Highlights/Tips – Climbing the big seat in Richmond. Swimming at Rabbit Island. Pushing our bikes on to the Ferry and crossing to Mapua on the Ferry. Ice Creams at Mapua. Pump track at Mapua.
DAY TWO – Ruby Bay to Motueka – 26km – is it doable?
Biking – This section involves some climbing to a high point. We used the Tow Whee Tow Rope to assist the kids with getting up this section.
Accommodation – We stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park in Motueka which has a variety of accommodation options.
Highlights/Tips –Â Watching the eels & exploring the gardens at Jester Cafe between Ruby Bay & Tasman, riding past apple orchards, Toad Hall Cafe in Motueka, Top 10 Holiday Park in Motueka – ground trampoline & swimming pool with climbing wall.
DAY THREE – Motueka to Kaiteriteri – 16km – is it doable?
Biking – This is the hardest day as you are going uphill and there are a few steep parts (only a few, though it did require our 8 year old to get off and push her bike a couple of times). The trail is signposted every 1 km.
Accommodation – Camped at Bethany Park in Kaiteriteri which is a large camping ground right next to the mountain bike park.
Highlights/Tips – Great coastal tracks & broadwalks through Motueka, stop at Riwaka Primary School to explore & play, ride through Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park is awesome – worth the climb into it.
DAY FOUR – Biking in the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park
Biking – There are a variety of tracks of different levels making up the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park. We enjoyed the pump track and introducing the kids to a couple of the easy trails. Including riding Easy Rider again.
We travelled home after riding in the park in the morning. A couple of the adults rode the 78km back to Nelson on their bikes while the kids were transported in the car.
What skills will you need to do this ride? This track is a well graded grade 2 trail. You need to be comfortable doing a gradual climb over 5km.
What level of fitness will you need to do this ride? Â You can complete the ride over as many days as you like and therefore determine how many kilometres you ride in a day. However due to where there is accommodation located it is likely riders will need to be comfortable riding 30-40km in a day. And they will need to ride this distance on consecutive days. This ride is not all falt you will need to be comfortable doing a gradual climb
How could the weather effect the success of your journey? Weather in this part of New Zealand is often favourable however you will need to be prepared for all weather conditions and wind.
Riding with Kids Attached or Towed? This is a graded wide trail that would be easy to ride with kids attached or towed behind your bike. Even the section in the mountain bike park is family friendly.
Be safe and comfortable when riding a section of the Great Taste Trail – Nelson to Kaiteriteri
Enjoy our multiday bikepath riding pages that introduce gear and stories to get you ready to ride.
Throughout this trail there is some support with riding through towns such as Motueka. You are generally not too far from help with this ride. Use our stories for multiday biking to help support you to be prepared to ride the Great Taste Trail – Nelson to Kaiteriteri.
Enjoy the experience and have fun
There were many highlights enjoyed along the way.
- The kids enjoyed having lots of reasons to get off their bikes and explore something different.
- A swim at Rabbit Island
- Beach activities
- You pass a variety of playgrounds
- Eating Ice Creams – Mapua/ Motueka/ Kaiteriteri
- Kaiteriteri is a destination in itself so you may choose to spend more time here
Log seat near Richmond, Nelson
Lots of great places to stop for food and get off the bikes.
Flying Fox McKee Domain Ruby Bay.
Pool climbing wall – Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park.
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Ride More Places
Bike Gear Stories
Women and families learning ...
Buying Guides
Solution Finder
Types of Riding Stories
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride