NZ Tourism.com Golden Bay Tours
On the other side of Takaka Hill is Golden Bay, a part of the Nelson region that is further off the beaten track, but very much worth the journey. Small towns offer a mix of quirky cafés and craft shops, and adventure activities include 4WD trips to Farewell Spit, a nature reserve and the world’s longest sandbar. It’s a part of the country that’s wild and pristine, nowhere more so than at Te Waikoropupu Springs -thought to be the clearest freshwater springs in the world. Wander down the forest trail to see them but don’t be tempted to swim because the springs could easily become contaminated.
The town of Takaka is the largest centre of the region – it’s laid-back and quirky, and offers several café and accommodation options. At the other end of the bay is Collingwood, a tiny village where trips depart to Farewell Spit and hikers set out on the Heaphy Track to the West Coast.
You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…
- Spot a variety of seabirds on a 4WD tour of Farewell Spit
- 178-metre Harwood’s Hole – deepest sinkhole in the Southern Hemisphere
- Wander to the Te Waikoropupu Springs
- Follow the Art Trail at Collingwood
- Mountain bike the Rameka Track on the Takaka Hill and sample vegetarian fare at a Takaka café.