Golden Bay

The journey from Hanmer Springs to our next stop, Takaka on Golden Bay, was our longest but most spectacular on the South Island. The increasingly loved Nissan, (now known as Hilda), had to take us over Lewis pass, the northernmost of the three main alpine passes on the island at just under 3,000 feet. The journey would have been a lot shorter however, had we not stopped continuously at the views. The one below is Kahurangi National Park.

We are now enjoying our last night in Takaka, a small town which lies in the Abel Tasman National Park. We have a wonderful apartment overlooking the Bay. Its tranquil, peaceful and utterly stunning. The picture below was sunrise from the deck this morning,

On day one here we were slightly uncertain where to go first and what to do. I know it was something Maggie should have been on top of but generally she's doing pretty good so I'm not complaining. Anyway, we headed to the nearest beach, bought a coffee and sat at a picnic table to plan. Within a couple of minutes a road biker stopped and sat with us. It turned out that John (originally from Merseyside) had just retired after 20 years as a local guide for walkers in the National Park. After about 10 minutes we had 3 days planned and maps scribbled on for most scenic routes. (Impressively he still had his Merseyside Bike Club top!).

It's been 3 days of contrasting and wonderful walking and discovery, including Wharariki Beach. This isolated beach required a bit of 'off road' driving and a 2km walk to reach its most westerly point. There was nobody else on the beach to begin with and the beach is covered by amazing sandstone rock formations.

As you walk down the beach you pass arches of the same rock and eventually to several rock pools where female seals play with their pups. Just an ordinary walk really.

We have visited Totaranui beach (recommended by some teachers who were escorting a school party up Conical Hill in Hanmer Springs!) and Pohara beach, which were both wonderful then Farewell Spit where we had a picnic overlooking the Bay. All these places have given us great memories and pictures but today we stayed inland and visited Wiakoropupu Springs and the Pupu Hydro walkway. The former are the biggest cold water springs in NZ and the walkway is a spectacular 6 mile walk surrounding a hydro electric plant first established in 1920 and later rebuilt after a major flood in the 1980's. We were there for 3 hours plus and saw just 3 people and one dog. We had several encounters with a small bird called the NZ fantail, who seem really curious of, and keen to have, human contact.

There are places I haven't mentioned, a fine meal at a local restaurant, and great drives across dirt tracks and wonderful waterfalls that will live long in the memory. It's off to Nelson tomorrow but plenty to do en route. One final pic of the view for tonight's meal at home!