Why go
- Town in Tasman District, New Zealand.
- Served by Motueka Airport (MZP).
History
Motueka is a town in the South Island of New Zealand, close to the mouth of the Motueka River on the western shore of Tasman Bay. It is the second largest in the Tasman Region, with a population of 8,290 as of June 2025.
Where to stay
9 Jackett Island, Tasman Region 7173, New Zealand · an-island-getaway-holiday-home.southislandnz.net
137 Lodder Lane, Riwaka 7198, New Zealand · edensedge.co.nz
32 Atkins Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · sunnyserenestudio.traveleto.com
289 Main Road Lower Moutere, R.D.2, Upper Moutere 7175, New Zealand · riverside.org.nz
182 Kina Peninsula Road, Tasman 7173, New Zealand · thewaters.co.nz
193 Kina Peninsula Road, Tasman 7173, New Zealand · almyrawaterfrontlodge.co.nz
4 Karo Place, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · lemontreelodge.co.nz
Main Road, Riwaka, Motueka 7198, New Zealand · riwakahotel.nz
31 Glenaven Drive, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · havenonglenaven.inn.fan
10 Fearon Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · motuekatop10.co.nz
59 Martin Farm Road, Kaiteriteri 7197, New Zealand · abeltasman.traveleto.com
500 High Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · happyapplebackpackers.com
55 Whakarewa Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · whiteelephant.co.nz
232 Umukuri Road, Motueka 7198, New Zealand · bushlinelodge.co.nz
Riwaka-Kaiteriteri Road, Kaiteriteri 7197, New Zealand
55 School Road, Riwaka 7198, New Zealand
184 Thorp Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand
20 Memorial Drive, Motueka 7120, New Zealand
200 Thorp Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand
Tasman 7175, New Zealand
91 Motueka Quay, Motueka 7120, New Zealand
133 Dehra Doon Road, Riwaka, RD3, Motueka 7198, New Zealand · terracedchalets.co.nz
25 Wallace Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
41 King Edward Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand
Indoor
Indoor
4 Poole Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand
Indoor
430 High Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · abbeycourt.nz
67 High Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · nautiluslodge.co.nz
314/316 High Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · avalonmotels.co.nz
71 King Edward Street, Motueka 7120, New Zealand · motuekagardenmotel.co.nz
Indoor
Restaurants & places to go
Indian, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options · 265 High Street, 7120 · revitecafe.com
Thai, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 · 109 High Street, Motueka, 7120 · chokdeemotueka.co.nz
Chicken, Indian, Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00; Su 17:00-21:00 Features: vegetarian options · 130 High Street, 7120 · motuekaindian.co.nz
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating · 484 Main Road Riwaka, 7198 · thomasbrotherslimited.co.nz
Chicken, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00 Features: takeaway
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-14:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 484 Main Road Riwaka, Nelson, 7198
Pizza, Restaurant · Pizza restaurant · pizzakitchen.co.nz
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Sandwich, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-16:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00 · 502 High Street, 7120 · toadhallmotueka.co.nz
Barbecue, Chicken, Donut, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:30-22:00 · 105 High Street
Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-14:00 · 16 Old Wharf Road · celciuscoffee.co.nz
Cafe · Opening hours: We-Fr 08:30-15:00; Sa-Su 09:00-15:00 Features: outdoor seating · 16 College Street, Motueka, 7120
Restaurant · restaurant · sprigandferntaverns.co.nz
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food
Chinese, Fast Food · Chinese fast food
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food · 21A King Edward Street, Motueka, 7120
Thai, Restaurant · Thai restaurant
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant
Turkish, Restaurant · Turkish restaurant
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Fish And Chips fast food
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Fast Food · Features: outdoor seating
Cafe · cafe
Restaurant · restaurant
Restaurant · restaurant
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Cafe · cafe
Airports
Nelson Airport (NSN) 26 km to the centre
Nelson, NSN, NZ — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air New Zealand) · direct flights to 4 destinations incl. Auckland, Christchurch, Palmerston North, Wellington (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 1 airline, 4 direct destinations
- Air New Zealand NZ (Dash 8-300, ATR 72, BEH) · 4 routes: Auckland*, Christchurch*, Palmerston North*, Wellington*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Motueka Airport (MZP) 2.6 km to the centre
TAS, NZ — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Karamea Airport 78 km to the centre
WTC, NZ
Getting there by ferry
Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 13 km from the centre
Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 19 km from the centre
Sea Shuttle Kaiteriteri-Awaroa
Ferry route · Sea Shuttle
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
October – March
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Shoulder season
April – May, September
Milder and quieter, with better value.
Worth avoiding
June – August
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Motueka Airport (MZP); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 2 ferry terminals within 20 km; routes include Sea Shuttle Kaiteriteri-Awaroa.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Motueka, NZ. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Intercity coach
Intercity coach