One of the most frequent comment from visitors to Golden Bay is that they wished that they had arranged to stay longer! One reason being that there are so many diverse activities to participate in, from simple beach walks to conducted tours.
The Golden Bay climate is ideal year-round for outdoor activities. Summer time day temperatures are usually 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) and even in mid-winter, day-time temperatures in Golden Bay usually reach 13C (55F) to 15C (60F). This very mild climate together with Nelson region's high sunshine hours ensures that the beautiful outdoors of Golden Bay can be enjoyed year-round.
GOLDEN BAY WALKS (hiking or tramping)
By far the most popular activity of our guests.
From our beach front lodging it is possible at low tide to walk north along the beach for 10 km to Collingwood or head south for 15 km almost to Takaka.
Some of the more famous walks are discussed in the National Parks section.
Because of our central location between two National Parks, there are enough day walks within 1 hours drive of our accomodation to keep even the most avid walker satisfied for many weeks. The Department of Conservation lists some of these Golden Bay walks
Here is a list of the most popular walks in Golden Bay, all within one hours drive of Adrift in Golden Bay.
Te Waikoropupu Springs
Features: A whole river emerges from an underground cave system. The world\’s clearest fresh water.
Drive time: 15 min towards Takaka
Walk time: 30 min return, very easy.
Definitely not to be missed. One of New Zealand\’s most visited reserves. A circular track through native bush takes walkers past old gold mine workings and a series of springs. The largest spring has a viewing platform and underwater periscope.Â
Wharariki Beach
Features: Wild West Coast beach - big waves, caves, seals and massive sand dunes.
Drive time: 40min towards Farewell Spit
Walk time: between 40min – 2 hours return, easy, but there is a steepish drop-off on one side of a section of the track (this can be avoided by walking along the top of the hill).
Highly recommended for those who haven\’t yet experienced a wild West Coast beach. Made all the more attractive by the fact that there is no vehicle access directly to the beach and requires a 20 walk across farmland from the car park. On arriving at the beach, there are three rocky islands – the furthest out is inaccessible at all times and features a dramatic archway through its centre. The next island inland features a series of rock pools when at low tide, baby seals can often be found at play and provide great entertainment for visitors. The closest island has two caves running through it out to the sea which can be explored if you have a flashlight with you. For the more adventurous, you can proceed down the beach to the left to a stone arch and several caves – a path cuts inland and allows you to return to the car park via an inland farm track. Take warm, windproof clothing with you and beware of tidal changes. Not safe for swimming.
Mutton Cove, Abel Tasman National Park
Features: The most attractive and quietest part of the Abel Tasman coastline. Golden sand and often crystal clear water.
Drive time: 40 min. Â Pohara to Totaranui (presently closed due to road slips) Sea shuttle runs twice daily through summer from Port Tarkohe for $20per adult return
Walk time: 2 hours one way. Easy but can include a side trip to Separation Point (seal colony) which is a steep, rocky track.
Cost: Water taxi $32p/p.
It is recommended to book a water taxi from Totaranui to Mutton Cove and walk back. Taxis to Mutton Cove run only in the morning - the last water taxi departs at 10:45am. Please enquire at reception between 9am and 9.30am on the morning you wish go or call directly (AquaTaxi brochures can be found at reception) to reserve a seat and check to ensure conditions are calm enough for the boat trip. There are no shops in the national park, so take food and a drink with you and something warm to wear.
Pupu Hydro Walkway
Features: bird life, history, scenery.
Drive time: 15 min towards Takaka
Walk time: 2 hours round trip
Turn off Highway 60 as for Te Waikoropupu ( Pupu) Springs but take the right fork about 1 km from the highway.
Wainui Falls
Features: a variety of landscapes including New Zealand native bush and to one of the best waterfalls in the region.
Drive time: 20 min. Drive past Ligar Bay & Tata Beach to Wainui Bay
Walk time: Easy 40min walk but does cross a swing bridge and the path is narrow in part (not for the faint-hearted)
The falls are sign-posted from the main road to Totaranui at Wainui. The walk starts off across farmland then follows the river through a wooded area. The next section cuts across a cliff face then into a lowland area of bush finishing at the base of the waterfall.
Kaituna Track
Features: native bush, old gold workings. Be rewarded after the walk with a snack and drink at the Naked Possum Café.
Drive time: 40 min. At the road junction just before Collingwood, turn left toward Bainham.
Walk time: Easy, 20min to 3 hours return.
The start is situated across the road from The Naked Possum. It is possible to follow the track right through to the Westhaven Inlet on the West Coast (an 8 hour tramp). Most people prefer to walk only to the site of the old Kaituna gold workings (20mins) or on to the river forks, an easy 3 hour return jaunt.
Grove Reserve
Features: Dramatic karst limestone features and a view over Golden Bay.
Drive time: 5min. Drive towards Takaka from Pohara. Turn left at Clifton.
Walk time: Easy 30 min return but the last section of track can be slippery in wet weather.
The walk wanders past towering columns of limestone covered with creepers and heavy sub-tropical native vegetation. The path leads to a cleft in the rock with a dramatic view over Golden Bay.Â
Fossil Point
Features: A walk over farmland leading to a wild sandy beach with rocks containing fossils exposed at low tide. Nibbles and a drink sold at the Paddle Crab Café.
Drive time: 50 min to the base of Farewell Spit.
Walk time: Easy, 2 hours return.
Abel Tasman Coastal Walks south of Totaranui
Features: Abel Tasman coastline. Sandy bays usually combined with a water taxi trip.
Drive time: 40 min. Drive past Ligar Bay, Tata Beach and Wainui Bay to Totaranui
Walk time: Various. See the water taxi brochures at reception for more detailed information
Taupo Point
Features: A quiet beach walk with interesting rock formations and sandy coves finishing at a historic Maori settlement.
Drive time: 20 min. Drive past Takaka and Pohara to Wainui
Walk time: Easy, 2 hours return but the final section is rocky and can be slippery. Access is tide dependant.
Rawhiti Cave
Features: Follows a river valley to a stunning cave entrance covered with a multitude of stalactite formations.
Drive time: 30 min. Drive past Takaka towards Pohara, turn right at Motupipi then first left up Packards Rd to the end.
Walk time: Easy at first but in order to get the cave, there is a long series of switchbacks which are quite demanding. 3 hours return.
Salisbury Bridge and Falls
Features: A historic foot bridge built during the gold mining days leads to Salisbury Falls and swimming hole.
Drive time: 40 min. At the road junction just before Collingwood turn left then continue past Bainham. A stop at the historic Bainham store is well worthwhile, where fresh coffee and home-made cakes are available.
Walk time: Easy. 10 min.
Guided walks are also available.Â
MOUNTAIN BIKING IN GOLDEN BAY.
Golden Bay has one of the best downhill mountain bike trails in New Zealand, the Rameka Track. Starting at the summit of the Takaka hill (Marble Mountain) it descends almost 1000 vertical metres through native bush.
One-way transport to the top of the Marble Mountain and excellent rental bikes are available in Takaka.
Rameka Track was recently voted Number 83 in New Zealand's nationwide poll "101 Must Dos for Kiwis".
It is possible to mountain bike the Heaphy Track from 1st May until 30th September each year until at least 2013. The track can be done in one day by a very fit cyclist but only when daylight hours permit and a minimum of 2 days each way is highly recommended. Then why not ease those aches in one of our luxury spas!
HORSE TREKKING IN GOLDEN BAY.
A great way to experience some dramatic scenery. Conducted rides from one and a half hours to several days are run by Cape Farewell Horse Treks.
KAYAKING IN GOLDEN BAY AND ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK .
Enjoy a different perspective of our local coastline from the sheltered waters of Golden Bay in our two stable kayaks available free to guests.
For the more adventurous kayaker, escape the crowds and kayak the quieter northern parts of Abel Tasman National Park from Golden Bay. Half day guided tours, family guided tours and independent kayak hire from hourly to multi day tours all from Golden Bay Kayaks.
SCENIC FLIGHTS IN GOLDEN BAY AND N.W. NELSON
Remote Adventures operates a charter flight service from Golden Bay and will also provide return transport for those doing the Heaphy Track.
SAILING IN GOLDEN BAY.
Just 40 mins north from our accommodation, variety of small sailboats can be hired at a very nominal fee for sailing in the sheltered waters of the Para Para inlet. Sailboards are also available.Â
CAVING IN GOLDEN BAY.
Golden Bay boasts 3 different conducted cave tours as well as the most extensive cave systems in the Southern Hemisphere.Â
GOLDEN BAY ROCK CLIMBING.
Golden Bay sits between 2 large limestone outcrops, one in Kahurangi National Park and one in Able Tasman National Park. This affords some excellent and varied climbs, the best known being Payne's Ford.Â
GOLF IN GOLDEN BAY.
Our local 9 hole course at Pohara, is right along side the seashore where you can enjoy some excellent views from the course and clubhouse.Â
FISHING IN THE BAY.
Take a day out to go fishing.
You can try your hand at landing a salmon or two at Anatoki Salmon Farm where you only pay for what you catch!
Fish our beautiful clear rivers for trout.
Spend some time out in Golden Bay sea fishing or dredging (in season) for scallops.
Bring home your trophies to cook on the BBQ!Â
BIRDWATCHING.Â
FARM VISITS
Golden Bay's mild climate supports a wide range of different farming ventures our main industry being dairy farming.
If you have never seen cows being milked you can watch this at one of our local farms.
Bencarri Farm started as a farm for alpacas, llamas and sheep but now has developed along the lines of a park zoo for rare animals complete with a cafe where you can also feed the tame eels.
Golden Bay Air : Direct scheduled flights from Wellington to Takaka and Karamea.  Rental cars for hire at Takaka Airport. Scenic flightseeing tours over Farwell Spit, West Coast, Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Park. Heaphy Track and Abel Tasman shuttle transfers. The link to our home page is www.goldenbayair.co.nz
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