Appleby: Glass Art and Trails in the Tasman District

In Appleby, glass art and public art sit side by side. Höglund Glass Gallery features a constantly changing exhibition of glass art by Höglund. There is also a free graffiti wall beside the Appleby Overbridge on the Tasman's Great Taste Trail. This gives you the chance to discover two different art forms: a changing glass art exhibition and a graffiti wall in a public space.

Glass Art and Demonstrations

Höglund Art Glass offers glassblowing demonstrations. If you would like to see a demonstration, call ahead, as dates can change. This is especially helpful if you are planning your day around the experience. The Höglund Glass Gallery exhibition and the demonstrations are two distinct options for anyone interested in how glass art is made and presented.

Trails and Getting Around Appleby

Appleby Bridge Recreation Reserve also offers a practical connection to local trails: a shared walking and cycling path in the reserve forms part of a link to the Tasman's Great Taste Trail and the Waimea West Shared Pathway towards Brightwater. The reserve is listed as a primary Level 1 entrance to Waimea/Waimeha River Park. Together, these details offer guidance for travellers who want to include Appleby's trails in their plans as well as its art.

More Experiences in the Tasman District

The Tasman District offers a range of experiences, from coastal landscapes and walks to cultural and historical sites. Its coastline includes more than 700 km of open coast and estuary shores. Notable landscapes include Farewell Spit, New Zealand’s longest sandspit. Te Waikoropupū Springs are New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs and the largest cold-water springs in the Southern Hemisphere. For local Māori, they are a taonga and wāhi tapu, a place of great cultural and spiritual significance.

The Great Taste Trail also offers different ways to explore the region. It is part of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail. Its coastal route runs from Nelson through Richmond, Māpua and Motueka to Kaiteriteri; the rail trail route runs from Richmond through Brightwater and Wakefield to Tapawera. Wide views of Tasman Bay, the Waimea Estuary and the Western Ranges are among the landscapes described along the trail. Check for current trail closures before setting out.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is open year-round, but is busiest from October to April. If you plan to stay in one of its four huts or at one of its 18 campsites, you must book in advance year-round; check booking conditions before your trip. You can explore the entire track on foot or use a water taxi or kayak to travel between locations. Check the tides, weather and current track updates before setting off.

For a different nature outing, a short trail through lush native bush leads to the cascading Wainui Falls. They are the largest and most accessible waterfalls in Golden Bay/Mohua. Check the weather and stream conditions before setting out. The Lake Rotoiti Circuit is suitable for families with children. You can take a water taxi for one leg of the journey or stay overnight in a hut; check water taxi availability in advance.

The Pupu Hydro Scheme is also part of the Tasman District’s cultural and technical heritage. Today it is a working museum and the earliest known hydroelectric power station for public electricity supply in Nelson and Marlborough. Together with the springs, it adds another regional highlight alongside the coast, trails and waterfalls.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Travel Style

This distinction can help you choose a place to stay that suits the experiences you have planned.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Tasman, Hope, Kaiteriteri, Pohara, Stanley Brook, Onekaka.

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