MOTOR TRIPS ABOUT NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 29 December 1926, Page 7

MOTOR TRIPS ABOUT NELSON

VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS BY THE

N.A.A

Visiting motorists especially will feel grateful to the Nelson Automobile Association for drawing up the following list of motor trips within handy reach of Nelson. It will probably be found that the compilation will also prove of value to those local motorists whose opportunities of learning more about thenown district are restricted to holidaylime.

Reservoir' Reserve'; At the head ol Brook-st. Valley, about three mile's I'rorj town. Brook-st. branches to the scuih from Nile-st. East, near "Wainui" and Griffin's Factory. Road good. Maitai Valley: Although the Valley extends for several miles,. the road past the first ford is bad. The lower part of tlie valley, which gives a few minutes' run, is very pretty, but the first ford |)ast the cart bridge is tricky, as there is much water in it. Road feuds out ol town duo east. ■ '

"The Three Bridges": A very fine drive, one of the best iu New Zealand. About a 33-mjle trip round the Waimca Plain, Willi o'uiy a comparatively short distilnce of I ravelling over the same road twice. - Take road towards Richmond either over the Hill through Bishopdale or round the port, through Richmond, following the West Coast road to the blacksmith's shop at Brightwater, where continue straight on. The road will bring the driver out through Waimea West to Appleby, where the third bridge is crossed and Richmond reached again. Visitors should not mif* this drive through country which is said to remind Englishmen" of England countryside as much as anything in New Zealand. , At Brightwatcr," on this drive, is passed Snowden's Bush, a public park of_ native bush, which is worth a, few minutes' stop. Splendid roads all tlie way. •'

Aniseed Valley .-About 12 miles away, reached by crossing a sleep saddle from Hie Waimea Plain at Hope. The view from the saddle over the plains and qufc to sea is magnificent. Tho hill requires careful driving. C '^' e Bay: About 15 miles. Tak-.' the Blenheim road, leaving city at northeast, boundary. The road rims round the harbour for several miles and ove, bentle Annie Hill. Just over the hill, a sign directs to Cable Bay. From here ft)c road is very pretty and winding. Narrow road, whicli should be driven slowly, but is in good order. , Tea rooms at- the Bay. ' The Glen: This road turns off to the left before that leading to Cable Bay on the abovo run. Turn to left about three-quarters of * mile past Black Horse Hotel. The Boulder Bank, whicit encloses ,th e harbour, joins the mainland Here. Distance about 7 or 8 miles. Motueka and Riwaka: This is a longer trip and makes a fine day's outing Motueka about 34 miles, BHvaka 2 miles further. Turn off-at Appleby Railway Station-.beyond Richmond-on the West Coast road, at sign board. A beautiful ran; lo avoid traversing a large portion o the mam road twice, continue straight ahead at Appleby Post Office, where sign directs "Motueka via Mapua and lasman. This takes the driver through a arg c _ portion of the apple lands ano: lound Ruby Bay, mining the main road again at Jubilee Bridge at Lower Meniere. A few minutes' run round Riwaka is well worth while, as it is one of the most:.beautiful districts in the Dominion >n the lourney back for variation take the road showing "Nelson, Main Road" at Jubilee Bridge, and return to Nelson over the Moutere Hills. Excellent loads all the way r> n both journeys. Uairoa Gorge:-This, is reached' from Brightwatcr or Wakefield. At Bright water (urn off al Hotel (signboard!/Disjinne ,to junction of Forks and Wakefield road about 19 miles. Road fair • care reou.red in places. Journey can' he continued on round the Gorge to Wakefield and back to Nelson throw* he Waimea Plains to Nelson ; total distance about 43 miles. If (his route j, taken, tni-n to right at junction of road m the Gorge, passing through gale (signboard probably now erected) If proceeding to Wakefield one or two creek beds are a little trickv' if much wafer .is in them and should be taken with care,