Moturoa / Rabbit Island access and updates

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Access is open.

Currently all reserve areas and tracks on Moturoa/Rabbit Island and Rough Island are open.

All gas barbecues are open for use.

Remember if you see smoke or any sign of fire please call 111 immediately.

No firewood collection

There is no public firewood collection available on Moturoa/Rabbit or Rough Island. Health and safety requirements do not permit chainsaw use or access into the commercial forest areas.

Opening hours

Open during daylight hours only. The large signs at the gate and at the entrance to the reserve area indicates the time the gates will be locked each evening.

Help, I got locked in!

If you find yourself behind the gate after this time you will need to park in the reserve and call someone to pick you up. You can return the following day to collect your vehicle once the gate has been unlocked.

Map of Moturoa Rabbit Island front beach reserve

General information

Visitors are asked to keep to the marked trails and obey all signage.
Logging is in progress and trucks are in constant use.
Please use caution, particularly at intersections.
Dogs are not permitted on Moturoa / Rabbit Island. They are welcome on Rough Island.

Forest harvesting

Due to harvesting operations roads can close at any time. Please observe any operational signage and use alternative routes if necessary.

Dogs prohibited

Please note that dogs are prohibited on Moturoa / Rabbit Island.

Find dog exercise areas

Need help? Contact us

Phone 03 543 8400

Email enquiries to us during normal business hours.

There are so many reasons that Moturoa / Rabbit Island is considered one of Tasman’s favourite recreational spots.

Soon there’ll be even more to enjoy with some important recreational and cultural additions planned for this special beach reserve.

Last year, we received $5.64 million to benefit the wider community and iwi outcomes through tranche one of the Government’s Three Waters Better Off Support Package.

Among the 21 projects identified in the Better Off Funding programme is the delivery of recreation and cultural priorities from the Moturoa / Rabbit Island Management Plan.

Funding of $435,000 has been allocated, with an aim to have the wider project completed by the end of 2025.

This work will include a grade two mountain bike track west of Conifer Park, an equestrian link track from Rough Island to the front beach, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a self-contained toilet at the Māpua end of Moturoa / Rabbit Island.

The design and installation of Pou and interpretation boards by mana whenua will also provide greater awareness of iwi’s cultural association with the island.

A proposal to create new disc golf facilities was put forward by Nelson Tasman Disc Golf Inc. A well-balanced course consists of both ‘wooded’ and ‘open’ holes, so it’s an ideal spot to construct a course.

The club’s primary purpose is to create safe and inclusive disc golf facilities for the public to use, while also building a positive sense of community for disc golf players across Nelson Tasman.

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Last modified: 2 May 2024, 10:56