Mapua ferry launch brings Tasman cycle trail a step closer

September 9th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

Work on building the Nelson Tasman cycle trail toward Motueka is well under way now, with the section to Mapua set to launch within a month and meetings being conducted on fundraising for the extension to Motueka.

The Tasman loop of the trail was recently officially branded 'Tasman's Great Taste Trail' and has a new logo (pictured right), the result of a design competition won by Lisa McGlinchey of Richmond.

Now things are just about ready to celebrate the official launch on Sunday 2 October of the cycleway ferry, "The Flat Bottom Fairy", which will carry cyclist and their bikes from Rabbit Island to Mapua wharf and back. The 6.8km track through Rabbit Island is nearing completion.

"The Flat Bottom Fairy" will operate on launch day from 9.30am to 5.30pm to take visitors and their bikes across the estuary for a gold coin donation - or free to those in full fairy costume!

The official opening will be at 12 noon on the Mapua shore to bless the ferry. Organisers, the Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust (NTCTT), expect a huge number of the region's cyclists to take the opportunity to test the Rabbit Island - Mapua route, bring or buy a picnic and explore.

Newly elected chairman of the trust David Bonnett says the new brand and logo will greatly enhance promotion opportunities for the region’s cycle tourism. He says the regional brand and logo captures the essence of cycling and all that the region has to offer cycle tourism.

"It reflects the key marketing hooks for the region: food, wine, beer, local produce, art and unique scenery; and is a name that businesses along the trail could easily leverage off.

“Tasman's Great Taste Trail uses emotive words and encourages visitors to not only enjoy the ride but to enjoy all that our region has to offer,” he says. “We envisage opportunities to create a taste of the coastal trail - for instance bite-sized rides from Richmond to Wakefield - or we could encourage riders to enjoy the whole 175 kilometre gourmet feast.”

He says it’s hoped developing destinations along the route will bring economic benefit to local businesses. (Read our June story on this work.)

The new 12m ferry was put into the water 10 days ago by owner/builders John Ward and Paul Nankivell. They have been working on the barge since last December, and will use it to ferry cyclists from Rabbit Island across to Mapua, plus for "cruise and coffee" trips on the estuary and out into Tasman Bay in calm seas.

The ferry is equipped with 15 bike racks and can take 50 passengers. Marine engineer John says he and house-builder Paul, who both have their skipper's licences, will "suck it and see" as far as how the vessel is used, but they plan channel crossings once every 2½ hours in busy periods.

The logo competition began in May. Winner Lisa McGlinchey says her design combines two basic ideas - a person on a bike and a trail. “The shape of the trail, which reflects the coastline around Nelson and Tasman, and the orientation of the cyclist are used to convey movement and flow,” she says. “The heart of the cyclist is highlighted to communicate both the energy and emotion the trail incites, as well as portraying the message ‘I love this’.”

Tasman's Great Taste Trail is part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, which is being created to generate lasting economic, social and environmental benefits for New Zealand communities through a network of world-class cycling experiences.

The Trail, which is being built in stages through a partnership between Tasman District Council and the NTCTT will run from Nelson Airport in a loop around Tasman District passing through Mapua, Motueka, Riwaka, Ngatimoti, Tapawera, Kohatu, Belgrove, Wakefield, Brightwater and back to Richmond.

Funding has been secured for the Nelson, Richmond, Mapua and Brightwater sections of the trail. In order to extend the trail right around the triangle, local communities, environmental groups and tourism providers are being canvassed for ideas on how sections can be funded.

During August a series of meetings were hosted by NTCTT at the Moutere Inn seeking input and ideas from people who could benefit in various ways from the trail. The aim was to form working groups which will develop and promote all parts of the trail infrastructure including funding, accommodation, communications and guiding.

For more information on how you or your organisation could be involved in the cycle trail project in and around Motueka, Your first port of call could be Lois Walker at i-SITE.

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