Summer has lured cyclists to the Tasman Great Taste Trail in similar numbers to other years, despite the damage from winter floods.
Nelson Tasman Cycle Trails Trust administrator Augusta van Wijk says early indications suggest there is no significant change in overall use. Spooners Tunnel had up to 150 people a day through it during the Christmas-New Year period which is on par with the same period last year.
“Spooners Tunnel specifically continues to be a destination, particularly for families and recreational riders.
“We’ve seen strong family use, including visitors from Quinney’s Bush Campground, and local businesses such as Flat Rock Café at Kohatu have welcomed cyclists back, with more than 1,000 people recorded as using that section of the trail between 22 December and 5 January.”
Kohatu Flat Rock Café owner Deb Coleman estimates numbers at the café have been 80 to 85 per cent of previous years, but “we’re getting there” and it was getting busier as summer progressed.
“Since (the trail) opened from here to Belgrove, it’s increased a lot. I think the first week of January was quieter and then it picked up in the second week. By the third week it was smashing it out and I’m hoping it will get better and better! It looks like it’s heading towards an amazing summer.”
Augusta says the Rabbit Island section of the trail and Mapua Ferry have also been busy, and most of the other trail counters compare well with previous years.
“We’re still moving into the ‘high season’ for international visitors and of course the Tour Aotearoa riders are due through here in March. This year we’ve worked with Tour Aotearoa organisers to reroute the ride away from flood-impacted sections.”
This year the tour will use the trail to Māpua before heading into the Moutere hills and across to the Motueka Valley-Tapawera section.
While most of the trail has reopened since the floods and work is ongoing between Belgrove and Wakefield. Augusta says the trust is working closely with Quail Valley Farms and forestry company PF Olsen to restore the trail from Quail Valley Rd through to the Wai-iti Reserve. At this stage, it is anticipated this section will largely follow the previous alignment, with some additional measures incorporated to improve long-term trail resilience, she says.
Between Wai-iti and Wakefield, she says several reroute options are being investigated as returning the trail to the banks of the Wai-iti River is no longer feasible. The trust is working with the Tasman District Council and engaging with landowners to identify the most suitable alternative route. Augusta says the trust hopes that section of the trail will be open by next summer, subject to landowner negotiations and council approval.
While the tunnel has reopened, Augusta says forestry harvesting operations at the beginning of April will involve logging trucks on weekdays on Tunnel Rd at its northern access and marshals will be on site to manage access. She says Tunnel Rd will remain open to cyclists only on those days, but will reopen to all recreation users on weekends and public holidays.
