Region
TAKAKA HILL (also known as Marble Mountain)
Golden Bay, a hidden paradise with only one road in and out! At 791 metres above sea level it takes approximately 30 minutes to get over the hill. There are many worthwhile stops along the way, Ngarui Caves takes you inside the mountain. Canaan Road at the summit of the hill – 12 kms down this road and then 40 minutes walk from the car park you will arrive at Harwoods Hole – 183 metres deep! The tramping trails here connect with the Inland Track of the Abel Tasman National Park. The Bush-Walkers can be accessed from the Inland Track. Golden Bay is filled with many beautiful places to see and things to do. We have listed below many interesting day trips if you would like to get out and explore while you are here in our little piece of paradise. WAINUI FALLS
One of the highest waterfalls in our coastal region. The walk to the falls takes about 40 minutes from the Wainui Falls Car Park and follows the river up through native bush forest. About half way there is a swing bridge across the river – one of the many highlights of this beautiful walk. The falls are amazing, roaring through a gap in the rock about 20 metres above the pool below. ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
Abel Tasman National Park is best known for its beautiful coastline – golden beaches, rugged headlands, coves, sandy estuaries and rocky reefs and islands. The mild climate and high sunshine hours make the park an attractive place to visit at any time of the year. Day visitors can take advantage of the launch services fixed timetable and landing points to walk a section of the Coast Track. The more common forest birds, like tui and bellbirds, can be seen along with pukeko around the estuaries and wetlands. Some people choose to walk the more wild Inland Track through the hilly centre of the Park. The Bush-Walkers is only 10 minutes walk from some parts of the Inland Track. TOP END OF ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
The Abel Tasman National Park was founded in 1942 and is named after the explorer Abel Tasman. The top end of Abel Tasman National Park has the most beautiful, often totally deserted beaches in the whole of the Abel Tasman National Park. Crystal clear waters, golden sands at Mutton Cove and Anapai Beach, and seals at Separation Point are just some of the beautiful attractions along this amazing trail. The walk takes approximately 5-6 hours. We can drop you off at Totaranui Beach, where the trail begins and you can walk back to The Bush-Walkers via Pigeon Saddle (Map provided). AWAROA ESTUARY & RIVER
Of the Abel Tasman National Park, Awaroa is the largest and most fascinating of the estuaries and tidal inlets with its mudflats, sandbanks and shallow winding streams. Other attractions are the old steam engine used at the beginning of the century for beech bark processing and the old school site remains. THE GROVE
Only a short 10 minute walk through limestone formations, crowned with huge Northern Rata trees to a viewing area overlooking Golden Bay. The Grove Scenic Reserve is part of the “Crimson Trail” – called because of the blaze of red Rata flowers at Christmas time. CAVES
There are many natural caves in the hills surrounding Golden Bay. Many are on private land and only accessible through guided tours and others are on Department of Conservation land which can be accessed by anyone. The underground cave systems are extensive, only experienced and fully equipped cavers should venture beyond natural light. Some caves include Rawhiti Caves, Harwoods Hole, Ngarui Cave (guided only). TAKAKA
The main township of Golden Bay. About a 40 minute drive from The Bush Walkers, Takaka offers a collection of excellent cafes and restaurants, supermarket, organic shop, banks, retail shops, art galleries and movie theatre. PUPU SPRINGS (Te Waikoropupu Springs)
Pupu Springs is the largest freshwater springs system in New Zealand and one of Golden Bays best known attractions. FAREWELL SPIT
Farewell Spit is the longest natural sand bar in the world. It extends 35 km from the western tip of Golden Bay and is approximately 800 metres wide. The Spit has been created from the shifting of sand dunes. The Spit is a vast sanctuary for at least 100 species of seabirds, including migratory species from the tundra of Alaska and Siberia. Public access is permitted at the base of the Spit for approximately 2.5 kms, access beyond this point is only with licensed tour operators. WHARARIKI
Just a 20 minute walk from the Wharariki Car Park, is one of New Zealands most amazing landscapes. Features are sand dunes, immense sea cliffs and arches. Incredibly wild and rugged! KAHURANGI NATIONAL PARK
This is one of New Zealands largest National Parks – from the base of Farewell Spit south to Murchison, east from Tapawera to the Heaphy River in the west. The most popular access to the park is from the “Heaphy Track”, which is one of New Zealands great walks. To get to the West Coast takes approximately 5 days and is 78 km. Other access to the Kahurangi National Park from Golden Bay is via Cobb Valley. COBB VALLEY
A 27 km drive from Upper Takaka. Drive through the Takaka River Gorge and you arrive at the beautiful Cobb Valley. There are many walks in this area, mostly suitable for 2 to 4 day tramps into the Kahurangi National Park, although a visit to the spectacular views of the Cobb Reservoir will take only an afternoons drive. KAYAKING
One of the most awesome ways to discover the Abel Tasman National Park is by sea kayaking. Kayaks can be either guided by Golden Bay Kayaks from Totaranui Beach or Tata Beach, or you can freedom kayak if you wish. To hire – phone Nigel, Golden Bay Kays on (03) 525 9095.Liquid error: getaddrinfo: Name or service not known
