Welcome
to the constantly traveling website.
Golden Bay Information:
Details of the Golden Bay Region for your
use to find where to go, what to do, etc.
This
is without a doubt one of the top
areas we enjoy visiting. A real hidden paradise. We begin our run to
Golden Bay after passing through the small
town of Riwaka a few kms north of Motueka on Route # 60. After a curve
in the road around the field of hops it is all go up the "Marble
Mountain". Just on your left not too far up the hill are a couple of
pull-offs so you can have a look at the stunning valley you just left
and looking out across the Riwaka River Valley toward the Kahurangi
National Park and the Arthur Mountain Range.
Up and up the road winds to the summit of 791 metres. The odd type of
rock should be noted jutting out all over the place. Just prior to the
summit are two places you may wish to stop. There is the road to the
Ngarua Cave next to the lookout stop and further on is an off road trip
to Canaan country of 11 kilometres to the 183 metre deep Harwood's
Hole. This is one of the deepest holes in the world and worth having a
look at. We drove our 7 metre bus to it but I don't recommend it to
anyone with a large vehicle except perhaps in the off season, very
narrow gravel road with very few places to pass.
After the summit you begin the descent on a grand scale. Stop at
Harwood's Lookout for a real look at Golden Bay from this height. As
you
descend it seems the road goes on forever. You have a bird's eye look
at the valley below. Some real twist and turns but the road is in
excellent shape and no worries. You reach the valley floor near Upper
Takaka and a picturesque land of milk and honey it appears. Gentle
rolling farmland. To the left is the Cobb Valley and a 27km drive again
not recommended for camper vans. A startling place to visit for the
views of Mount Arthur, one of the Lord of the Rings sites and the Cobb
reservoir.
This is the most popular access to the Kahurangi Park for walks.
Route 60 continues through the valley to the main centre of Takaka
where you can enjoy top cafes, restaurants, galleries and shops. A
place where it felt I had moved back in time to the hippy era of the
60’s with all its alternative lifestylers. A peaceful quiet community
with the locals happy and offering smiling hello’s. This is artist and
craftspeople country and every known art design options are everywhere.
A tour of the countryside will attest to the fact this has more art and
craft galleries, studios and shops than anywhere in New Zealand. Don't
miss the opportunity to stop by the Golden Bay Museum and the attached
Gallery. Oh by the way try the Golden Bay Salami and for a good meal
and top coffee we recommend the Wholemeal Café. This is also a place to
enjoy organic restaurants and food.
Take the Able Tasman Drive east from Takaka to Pohara (got a great
coffee shop there that does Totally Roasted coffee), and on to Wainui
Bay to enjoy the coastal area. You can go on but the road gets rough.
To your right as you drive out this route is the Able Tasman National
Park. This is an area of fabulous walks. Check at the Information
Centre in Takaka for complete information. On the way to Pohara you may
want to experience the Labrynth Rocks a maze-like limestone carved rock
area nature has carved from the Karst rock.
The two most appealing attractions in Golden Bay are first, the Pupu
Springs, a must visit. The world's clearest water and one of the
largest in the world. A pleasant walk through the facility. It is free
also. The other is to see the world's longest sandspit at Farewell Spit
out from the visitor's Centre at Puponga. This requires a booking for
the ride out but well worth it. The drive to Puponga is along Golden
Bay. Lots of one way bridges and also several places to pull over and
enjoy the Bay itself. The road going up to the Visitor's centre is a
shocker for the amount of traffic that it has on it so be careful if
you have a large vehicle. No place to give way. On the road out on the
left is one fine cafe/restaurant the Mussel Inn we heartily recommend.
. The end of the road for Route 60 is the town of Collingwood dead
ending at a motor camp. We recommend a stop for a brew at the
Collingwood Tavern. Believe it or not this town was once in the running
to become the nation's capital during the gold rush of the 1850's.
Wonderful sleepy little town now thank goodness.
The Tasman District encourages freedom camping for self-contained
vehicles. There are many wonderful quiet spots to spend the night and
day if so desired. There is a very remote spot we enjoy at the outlet
of the Anatori River many kilometres from the turnoff of Route Sixty to
the south toward Mangarakau. The road is dirt and narrow most of the
way but no problems. Definitely not much traffic. It is the home of New
Zealand's largest wetlands. An interesting semi-isolated area to
explore and enjoy for its wildness.
More later when we once again return to this wonderful spot. If you are
into the tramping/hiking this is where the northern start of the
world famous Heaphy Track begins plus the Able Tasman Track is located
here. So many great tracks in this area you have to have a look at the
Information below:
Here are a few websites for more information:
Golden
Bay Information
Golden
bay Information
Farewell Spit
Golden Bay
Information Site
Artists of
Golden Bay - Virtual Site Pupu
Springs The
Treasured
Pathway - Takaka to Farewell Spit
If you need to get in touch with Ron or
Paula
(or Sylvester and Chocolate):
© Copyright 2005 Ron Laughlin - All rights reserved
