Posts by Jacquie Boer
Le Cafe (Picton)
Le Cafe is a cultural hub for the Picton community, hosting many visiting musicians and providing a meeting spot for locals and a highlight for visitors to the Picton waterfront. We absolutely loved the food that we were served. My fish was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented and Clem’s venison burger was delicious. Sitting in…
Read MoreMotuara Island (Marlborough Sounds)
Family members gifted us an experience for Christmas a couple of years ago and we finally redeemed it in the form of a half-day trip to Motuara Island with Beachcomber Cruises based in Picton. It was an 7:30am check in but the need for an early morning breakfast and coffee was well catered for by…
Read MoreCloudy Bay Vineyard (Marlborough)
Whether you’re a serious wine connoisseur, a gourmand, or just someone looking for a picturesque setting to enjoy a nice glass of wine, there’s an experience for you at Cloudy Bay. We enjoy relaxing outdoors sitting in a couple of the excellent bean bags and watching the clouds scuttle overhead. It always feels like the perfect…
Read MoreThe Styx (Nelson)
The Styx Restaurant By The Sea is a Nelson institution and has a special place in my heart. It was established by chef Joe Horton and Tony Robertson in 2012, the same year that I moved to Nelson with my two children and started my own business. Since then it’s been a dearly loved venue…
Read MoreAra Roa – Villa and Boutique Lodgings (Northland)
Spending more than 25 years doing anything indicates commitment, and for Ara Roa hosts Paul and Susanne, that’s a commitment to welcoming visitors to stay in a truly special part of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Whāngarei Heads and the Whananaki coastline is in Northland (about two-and-a-half hours north of Auckland). If you live in the North it’s…
Read MoreMoutere Inn (Upper Moutere)
Many a weary traveller has taken respite in this fine establishment during its 125-year history. It’s the oldest public house in New Zealand and is still in its original building. The Inn is a popular weekend destination for motorcyclists, Nelsonians, and visitors to the region. What perhaps isn’t so well known is that the food…
Read MoreNeudorf Vineyards (Upper Moutere)
It’s been more than 30 years since I first visited the cellar door at Neudorf Vineyards. The first block was planted in 1978 by Tim and Judy Finn. With the recent passing of Tim in our minds we went to spend an afternoon in the lovingly created space he and Judy have curated for so…
Read MorePizzeria Bella (Nelson)
It’s been a little while since I had a visit to Pizzeria Bella but I needed something to eat before catching Bill Bailey at the Trafalgar Centre and popped in here. The place was humming with happy diners and I was warmly welcomed by the attentive staff. I was very pleasantly surprised by the delicious…
Read MoreMaruia Falls (Shenandoah)
The power of nature is evident at Maruia Falls, south of Murchison. The falls were formed by the powerful magnitude 7.3 Murchison earthquake of 1929. Maruia Falls are quite a sight (and a sound) but please do heed the warning signs – these falls are definitely for looking at and not for swimming. Maruia Falls…
Read MoreThe Bakery at Wakefield (Tasman)
It’s a good sign when the queue stretches out the door and the people just keep on coming in! The Bakery at Wakefield is always one of our places to stop at the start of a roadie when we’re heading south out of Nelson. The pies are absolutely delicious – always generous filled and tasty…
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