{"id":2544,"date":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","slug":"golden-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bookabach.co.nz\/holiday-ideas\/holiday-destinations\/south-island\/golden-bay","title":{"rendered":"Golden Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Beyond Nelson and Tasman Bay lies a land surrounded by national parks, blessed with landscape so picturesque, Tolkien could have imagined it: white sand beaches, valleys with pristine rivers, limestone caves, rising to dramatic mountains and lakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Parts of Peter Jackson\u2019s Lord of the Rings trilogy and Hobbit films were filmed on location here, and many locals have lovingly labelled this place \u2018Middle Earth\u2019. With such a backdrop \u2013 it\u2019s not hard to see why.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Golden Bay is cut off from the rest of the South Island by mountains. Drive in over Takaka hill, \u201cMarble Mountain\u201d and Golden Bay stretches before you, below is the main township of Takaka.\u00a0 There are a procession of lovely beaches, whose yellow sands give the area its name. At the end of the SH60 lies the town of Collingwood. Beyond is Farewell Spit, which shelters Golden Bay from the north, and provides a sanctuary for migratory birds. On the west side of Farewell Spit lies the Whanganui inlet.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In summer, the beaches around Golden Bay aren\u2019t too crowded, and there are plenty of swimming holes in the many rivers. Along with an abundance of adventurous options like hiking, kayaking, walking, mountain-biking, freshwater and ocean fishing, there are also plenty of leisurely activities too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Not surprisingly, people seeking an alternative to an urban lifestyle have made this their home.\u00a0 Visitors to the area can enjoy wine tastings, boutique beer breweries, art and craft galleries too. Eco-tourism is taking off with unique experiences on offer: bird-watching tours to Farewell Spit, flying fox rides, horse treks, salmon farm fishing and Hobbit tours.<\/p>\n\n\n

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There are three National Parks in this area. The Kahurangi National Park is famous for the Heaphy Track, the longest of NZ\u2019s Great Walks, 4-6days. The Abel Tasman National Park\u00a0 is immensely popular in summer, for its stunning mix of beaches and coastal forest. Try hiking the Coast track (3-5 days), or the Inland track, sea kayak around the park\u2019s coastline or catch a water taxi to a remote beach. Nelson Lakes National Park features mountains, beech forest and tranquil lakes.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Top ten things to do<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n
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  1. Walk to Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs \u2013 the largest freshwater springs in Australasia<\/li>\n\n\n
  2. Kayak or hike in the Abel Tasman National Park<\/li>\n\n\n
  3. Explore Te Anaroa Caves in Rockville – take a fully-illuminated walk through stalactites and moa bones<\/li>\n\n\n
  4. Walk the Wainui Falls track and take a dip in the many swimming holes<\/li>\n\n\n
  5. Walk to the lookout to view Harwoods Hole \u2013 experienced cavers can abseil here<\/li>\n\n\n
  6. Mountain-bike the Rameka track or one of the many other trails on offer<\/li>\n\n\n
  7. Head into Takaka for the market on Saturday mornings<\/li>\n\n\n
  8. Take a horse trek or eco tour to Cape Farewell Spit and see the birds<\/li>\n\n\n
  9. Head to the Grove Scenic Reserve near Takaka – walk through limestone formations and rata trees<\/li>\n\n\n
  10. Go trout fishing in the Aorere and the Takaka Rivers<\/li>\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s some other activities<\/a> you can try while staying in Golden Bay:<\/h2>\n\n\n

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