I was born in Motueka and lived there for four years later in my childhood, and while there are some absolutely beautiful places nearby, the town itself isn’t particularly interesting—more of a place you’d stop on your way from Nelson to Golden Bay, Collingwood, Farewell Spit, etc. Some of the most beautiful countryside I’ve ever seen has been when driving inland from Motueka, through Lower and Upper Moutere, towards Mt. Arthur and Tapawera, and the drive from Motueka to Christchurch, via Arthur’s Pass, is also worth it.