Brightwater, Tasman District Community and Real Estate market information

About Brightwater:

Brightwater, home to about 2,000 people, is located about 20 minutes (19km) from Nelson and under 10 minutes drive (8km) south of Richmond on State Highway 6, the main arterial road to the West Coast.

Each February it plays host to the annual Brightwater Wine and Food Festival, an event that showcases the areas wine, food, craft, etc and that attracts thousands of visitors.

Brightwater is quite famous as the birthplace of Ernest Rutherford, of 'splitting the atom’ fame, who went on to win a Nobel Prize for his work. It’s also the centre for many rural residents scattered around the fertile southern Waimea Plains. Currently most houses are on the flat, although with the release of a recent new subdivision on the south eastern side of Brightwater, elevated sites are now available and new residents will be be able to enjoy some fabulous views over the Plains.

Brightwater is also home to Brightwater Engineering, a very large engineering firm servicing the national & international market. The firm has just recently (Jan 09) won the contract to design and construct a $100 million coal handling and processing plant at Solid Energy’s Stockton mine, near Westport.

Brightwater Shopping:

Locally there is a Four Square store, a local dairy, hairdresser, fish & chip shop, 2 garages, and the local hotel. Brightwater is also home to McGlashens Pottery. With the nature of the surrounding area being rural, there is also a selection of service industry players like mechancial services, etc. The Richmond Mall and main shops are about 8-9 minute drive from Brightwater.

Transport:

There is no regular commercial scheduled public transport service to from Brightwater. The trains stopped travelling through here in the mid 1950’s when the Nelson to Glenhope line was abandoned. Students who require transit to the larger schools in Richmond or further, do have access to public transport from Brightwater, if they meet qualifying conditions. NZ's Intercity Buses do operate a service through Brightwater but these buses cater to tourists rather than residents. Services depart from Brightwater at the Four Square Store, 58 Ellis Street.

Transport Link:

www.intercity.co.nz

Eating Out:

The local Brightwater Motor Inn has the Crossroads Restaurant, and as previously mentioned there is the local fish & chip shop. For something a little different there’s Vespers Cafe & Winebar in the heart of the township, set in a delightfully restored Old Church & garden. Just 3-4 minutes down the road, heading north towards Richmond on the Main Rd, is the Bedford Bar & Cafe in Hope. And in the opposite direction heading south to Wakefield, you’ll find Chateau Rhubarbe in Edward St. If you're happy to travel a bit further, its only 10 minutes to Richmond by car, where you’ll discover another dozen or so cafes, restaurants & taverns.

Information Supplied by:

David Leggott