Top things to do in Māpua & Ruby Coast

blurry placeholderGreat Taste Trail friends boarding Mapua Ferry Rabbit Island

Ride Tasman's Great Taste Trail

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail is a scenic coastal cycle path perfect for short rides and afternoon adventures. Enjoy stunning views of Tasman Bay and the Western Ranges as you ride. Stop at boutique wineries, craft breweries, and local eateries, or watch artists at work. The ferry between Māpua and Rabbit Island adds a fun twist, with Māpua Wharf offering waterfront dining and unique shops.

Top tip: For a longer ride, consider an overnight stay in Māpua.

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Have an arty experience

If you’re looking for an authentic arty experience, look no further than Māpua and the Ruby Coast. There’s just something about the place that gets the creative juices flowing in the veins of the locals … perhaps it’s the laid-back seaside lifestyle, maybe it’s the stunning vistas that surround them, or perhaps there’s just something special in the water. Peruse the art, sculpture and jewellery collections at the cool store galleries, watch the artists at work in their pewter workshop, or simply indulge in some boutique shopping in the Māpua.

blurry placeholderDining at Jellyfish in Mapua Web Res taken by Oliver Weber credit www.nelsontasman.nz

Savour local flavours

If anyone knows how to celebrate the diverse flavours of our region's soils, crops, fruits, and bays, it’s the Māpua and Ruby Coast community. With a craft brewery, wine bar and a selection of restaurants at the seaside, you can enjoy the full-bodied beverages made from the Moutere clay soils and local hop fields, alongside delectable seafood and fresh seasonal produce all year round.

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Taste local at the Appleby Farms Icecream Shop

They say there’s nothing better than the taste of local, and the Appleby Farms cow-to cone philosophy certainly meets the brief. The milk comes from two family-owned Nelson farms, which head 15 minutes to the creamery in Stoke, where it is blended with other beautiful ingredients, such as Nelson boysenberries. During the summer, you can get your fix from the ‘silver bullet’ Airstream at Tāhunanui Beach, but all year round, you can find delicious flavours such as ‘Bad Boys & Berries’ and ‘Tangled Passion’ at Hamish’s on the Māpua Wharf.

blurry placeholderKissing Gate Glamping credit Kissing Gate Glamping

Stay in quirky accommodation

If you're looking for somewhere quirky and unique to rest your head for the night, look no further than Māpua and Ruby Coast. For a fairytale experience, The Jester House is the place to go, where you'll get to stay in a B&B shaped like a giant boot. A Juliet balcony, spiral staircase and open fireplace complement the whimsical world of mosaics, sculptures and artworks outside. Or, if some cute-as-a-bunny huts sound like your cup of tea, head straight for Rabbit Island Huts, whilst Kissing Gate is renowned as one of the world's top 14 glamping sites by TripAdvisor.

blurry placeholderThe Playhouse Theatre

Enjoy some dinnertime entertainment

For a unique cabaret experience and delicious local fare, The Playhouse Café & Theatre is a must-do in Nelson Tasman. Located just off the coastal highway near Māpua, the playhouse boasts a full entertainment calendar, including music, theatre, comedy, magic, and burlesque. Its grotto-style interior and extraordinary grounds, dotted with fascinating sculptures, make it a true oasis of art and culture.

blurry placeholderMates, fish and chips – it doesn’t get more classic than that for a laid-back afternoon in Māpua.

Relax with fish and chips on the Māpua Wharf

Our region is bordered by stunning bays and estuaries, sparking regular debates among locals about the best place for fish and chips. Māpua Wharf often tops the list, with its refreshing sea breeze and the sound of waves lapping against the shore. 

blurry placeholderSwimming in Mapua

Jump off the Māpua Wharf

The Māpua Wharf is a hot spot for swimming, fishing, and the ever-popular wharf jumping, particularly in the summer months (although we have seen some brave souls jumping in the middle of winter). Plunging off the wooden platform into the waters below, then laying back and riding the tide appears to be a favourite pastime for many wharf visitors, whilst others just like to watch from afar with a glass of wine in hand at Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar

blurry placeholderRuby Bay Arts credit Sue Newitt

Explore the Ruby Coast Arts Trail

The creative spirit of the Nelson Tasman region is deeply embedded in the townships of Māpua and the Ruby Coast, and this is celebrated through a surprisingly diverse range of galleries and studios. Art enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with the Ruby Art Trail, which spans eight unique locations running the length of the Ruby Coast and beyond.

blurry placeholderMapua Interactive Gallery Credit Rare Creations

Visit an interactive gallery

Try something a little different and visit Māpua's Interactive Wooden Art Gallery. Immerse yourself in a world of play as you push buttons, turn handles, spin knobs and wind up music boxes to activate toys and bring them to life. Then, browse the Rare Creations workshop and gallery showcasing a spectacular array of wooden arts and crafts made either on-site or by other artists from around New Zealand.