Driving from Puponga to the Cape Farewell Lookout Car Park | Tasman | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: Tasman Region, West Coast Region

Tags: cape farewell lookout car park, driving, new zealand, puponga, tasman

Added: 2 years ago

Driving from Puponga to the Cape Farewell Lookout Car Park, in the Tasman Region of New Zealand's South Island.

The Tasman region covers the North West side of the top of the South Island. The region includes the Abel Tasman National Park. The park is one place that makes the Tasman area famous for its stunning scenery, golden sandy beaches, coves, bays, and bush walks. Tasman has two more national parks, Kahurangi National Park and Nelson Lakes National Park. Motueka and Takaka are the two major towns for entry to the Abel Tasman National Park.

In the South of Tasman is the small town of St Arnaud, located on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, the gateway to the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park, which sits at the northernmost part of the Southern Alps. This area has a vast selection of short and long walks which you can enjoy, from a quick stroll through the beech forest to remote mountain passes. The Nelson Lakes National Park contains over 16 lakes, including Blue Lake, which was recently discovered to have the clearest natural freshwater in the world. Glacier-carved Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa are two lakes that feature. From every angle, you will find impressive native beech forests, river valleys, glacial lakes, and craggy peaks.

Tasman's northern shores are some of the country's most beautiful coastline. The Abel Tasman National Park is a picturesque series of golden sandy beaches and inlets backed by forested hills. The park is a popular destination for kayaking and tramping. Water taxi services in the park enable visitors to enjoy a short stroll along its coastline and longer overnight trips.

In the west of the region, the town of Takaka is the main centre for Golden Bay, the area that borders the bay of the same name. Takaka attracts artists, craftspeople, and anyone seeking an alternative lifestyle. The town offers a selection of excellent cafes, art and craft shops, galleries, and a museum.

The town is also a base for those wishing to explore the mountainous Kahurangi National Park. The park is an adventure lover's paradise, with caving, fishing, rafting, and a network of walking tracks and huts. The well-known Heaphy Track is a 4-6 day walk west of the park, which ends at Karamea on the West Coast.

Golden Bay is a shallow bay bordered by Kahurangi National Park and Abel Tasman National Park. It is separated from the sea by Farewell Spit, which lies at the northwest end of the South Island. Golden Bay is a vast, beautiful paradise for nature lovers.

The small town of Collingwood is the ideal starting point for entry to the Kahurangi National Park from the north and the northern end of the Heaphy Track, one of the 9 Great Walks in New Zealand. Collingwood also makes a good base for trips to places such as Farewell Spit and Cape Farewell.

On the west coast at Cape Farewell, there is good surfing and some amazing coast views. There isn't a road going south along the coast into the West Coast region from Tasman, although you can walk the Heaphy Track.

The South Island of New Zealand is symbolised by vast open landscapes with an immense sense of freedom. The island is lightly populated in areas away from the main centres. The South Island is divided by the mountain ranges of the Southern Alps. These mountain ranges form the backbone that the South Island is famous for. They provide a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped peaks against fiords, extensive beech forests, golden sand beaches, and vast fertile plains. There are no active volcanoes but many hot pools. The South Island is more than just stunning scenery, though. Hike through unspoiled valleys, try out the many ski fields, or get an adrenaline rush with a bungee jump or kayak to golden sand beaches. Your visit to the South Island can be as relaxing or as wild as you want.