Takaka & Beyond

Takaka, the main centre for the stunning Golden Bay area, is a great place to base yourself to explore the delights of Golden Bay. It is a funky, lively artistic town with plenty of organic shops and cafes, galleries and craft outlets to explore.

About 7km northwest of Takaka lie Te Waikoropupu Springs. New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs are set in a reserve protecting old gold workings, regenerating forest and a fine patch of mature bush. Some 30km northeast of Takaka is Farewell Spit, a nature reserve on a sand spit jutting into the Tasman Sea.

Wharariki Beach has a wild and beautiful coastal landscape, where the wind and waves have created massive rock and sand-dune formations. It's located 6km from the township of Collingwood. Nearby Kahurangi National Park, 451,000ha of glaciated mountain ranges and rich forest, is home to an exceptional variety of native plants and wildlife.

With it's many hours of sunshine, relaxed atmosphere and many recreational playgrounds you won't want to leave Nelson. Start with the art and craft trail, where the characters are as colourful as their vibrant works. The One Ring was made by a Nelson jeweller and many local artisans worked on props for The Lord of the Rings movies.