Driving SH60 from Puramahoi to Takaka | Tasman | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: Tasman Region

Tags: driving, new zealand, puramahoi, takaka, tasman

Added: 2 years ago

Driving SH60 from Puramahoi to Takaka, in the Tasman Region, on the western corner at the north end of the South Island of New Zealand.

Takaka is located at the south eastern end of Golden Bay in the Tasman region. With a community that includes many alternative lifestylers it's a town full of character. There's a small museum, a movie theatre and a great choice of shops and cafes. The town also offers plenty of value-for-money accommodation, including backpacker lodges, B&Bs and homestays. Other nearby attractions include Waikoropupu Springs, the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, and an art trail that will reveal the region's creativity. A nature lover's paradise, there is just one road in and out of Golden Bay, and those who travel over the ‘Marble Mountain' or Takaka Hill, are richly rewarded by sweeping views of rugged mountains, fertile valleys and stunning beaches.

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 makes the Tasman area famous for its stunning scenery, golden sandy beaches, coves, bays, and bush walks. Tasman has two more equally great national parks, Kahurangi National Park and Nelson Lakes National Park. Motueka and Takaka are the two major towns for Abel Tasman National Park entry.

In the South of Tasman is the small town of St Arnaud. Located on the shores of Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud's the gateway to the stunning Nelson Lakes National Park. The park sits at the northernmost part of the Southern Alps. Accordingly, this area has a vast selection of short and long walks. These range from a quick stroll through beech forest to remote mountain passes.

Furthermore, the Nelson Lakes National Park contains over 16 lakes. These include Blue Lake, which has some of the clearest natural freshwater in the world. Glacier-carved Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa are two lakes that feature. Accordingly, from every angle, you will find impressive native beech forests, river valleys, glacial lakes, and craggy peaks.

Furthermore, Tasman's northern shores are some of the country's most beautiful coastline. As a result, the Abel Tasman National Park is a picturesque series of golden sandy beaches and inlets backed by forested hills. The park is also 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 also 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, 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. There isn't a road going south along the coast into the West Coast region from Tasman, although you can walk the Heaphy Track.

Golden Bay is a shallow bay with Kahurangi National Park and Abel Tasman National Park as its borders. Additionally, Farewell Spit, which lies at the northwest end of the South Island, separates Golden Bay from the sea. As a result, 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 northern end of the Heaphy Track, one of the 9 Great Walks in New Zealand. Further, the town is a good base for trips to Farewell Spit and Cape Farewell, with good surfing and amazing coast views.