The Complete Guide to Visiting New Zealand's Golden Bay

golden bay tours

Tim Clayton Corbis / Getty Images

Getting There

Where to stay, farewell spit, wharariki beach, te waikoropupu springs, abel tasman national park, ngarua caves, rawhiti cave, wainui falls track.

  • The Mussel Inn

Golden Bay, in the north-west corner of New Zealand’s South Island, is an area of extreme natural beauty. It was one of the first places in New Zealand where Maori and Europeans interacted (Dutch explorer Abel Tasman came here in 1642), and it still has a frontier vibe and a feeling of being somewhat ‘apart’ from the rest of New Zealand. With forested mountains surrounding the area that don’t meet the ocean, and only one access road, getting to Golden Bay is a bit of an adventure, but a highly rewarding one. Here’s what you need to know about visiting Golden Bay.

There are three ways to get to Golden Bay:

  • By air from Nelson or Wellington to the tiny Golden Bay Airport just outside Takaka. Flights are generally quite expensive, and airplanes small.
  • By car (or shuttle service) over the Takaka Hill road along State Highway 60 from Motueka and Nelson. Nelson is the largest city in the northern South Island, and many travelers spend some time here before driving to Golden Bay. The Takaka Hill road is the only road into Golden Bay. It is twisting and narrow in places and can be a challenging drive in wet or icy conditions, but experienced drivers making the trip when the weather is good are unlikely to have any significant problems. The views are also spectacular, and there are many places to stop to check them out.
  • On foot. Golden Bay is bordered in the east by the Abel Tasman National Park , on the south by the Kahurangi National Park, and on the west by the North West Nelson Conservation Park. These parks contain some of New Zealand’s best-loved long-distance treks, including the Abel Tasman Coast Track (3-5 days) and the Heaphy Track (4-6 days) through the Kahurangi National Park. Travelers can either begin these walks in Golden Bay or end there.

If you want to travel between attractions in Golden Bay, having your own transport is essential. Like elsewhere in New Zealand—mainly rural areas—there’s limited public transport or shuttle options, and if you don’t have your own wheels, what you can do and see will be very limited.

There are two main settlements in Golden Bay: Takaka and Collingwood. Collingwood is about 16 miles further along the highway from Takaka. Takaka is larger, with a range of accommodation options, and a main street with several cafes, shops, and other businesses. Collingwood is much smaller, with fewer sleeping and dining options but lovely views of the Ruataniwha Inlet. There are other small settlements throughout Golden Bay with some accommodation options, but these can't be called towns.

Whether you choose to stay in Takaka or Collingwood should depend on what you want to see and do. Staying in Takaka gives you easier access to the western side of the Abel Tasman National Park. Collingwood is better situated for access to Farewell Spit and Wharariki Beach.

In either place there’s a range of accommodation to suit various budgets, from campsites to more upmarket boutique hotels (although no major chains here!)

Farewell Spit feels like the end of the earth because it practically is. Anyone lucky enough to fly over Golden Bay on a north-south (or vice versa) flight over New Zealand is likely to have seen the spit from the air, reaching out into the Cook Strait and the Tasman Sea. The long strip of land is an important bird sanctuary and nature reserve, with more than 90 bird species found here, including penguins. As such, you can only travel along the spit on a Department of Conservation-approved tour.

Redefining the word "windswept," Wharariki Beach is an enormous sweep of beach and dunes on the northern edge of Golden Bay, just west of the start of Farewell Spit. If you go at low tide, you can walk along the beach (if you can withstand the wind!), or horse treks can also be arranged. Even at high tide, you can admire the views from further up in the dunes. Getting to the beach requires an easy 20-minute walk over farmland, which helps build a sense of anticipation for visiting what is one of New Zealand's most beautiful beaches .

While New Zealand is famous for its bubbling hot springs, these spectacular cold springs are quite different, and perhaps more surprising. Pupu Springs (as they’re known) are a short drive from Takaka and are sacred to the local Maori people. There are signs asking visitors not to touch the water, which you really should obey. From the carpark, a boardwalk through forest and over streams leads to the springs, which are deep blue and turquoise, extraordinarily clear and vibrant with underwater plant life that thrives on the bubbling freshwaters.

If you’re dazzled by Pupu Springs and want to see more, the Riuwaka Resurgence is another similar, though smaller, spring of cold and clear water. It’s the start of the Riuwaka River. While the Resurgence itself isn’t far beneath the summit of Takaka Hill, on the way into Golden Bay, you can only drive there along the Riwaka Valley Road, north of Motueka, on the Tasman Bay side.

New Zealand’s smallest national park is also one of its most popular. Many people access the park from the eastern, Tasman Bay side, but trekkers who complete the full three-to-five-day Coast Track normally exit the park on the Golden Bay side. There are many gorgeous gold and white-sand beaches throughout the park, and as well as hiking, kayaking is a popular way to tour the coastline.

At the top of the Takaka Hill on the way to Golden Bay from Motueka, there’s a sweeping view of Tasman Bay by the Ngarua Caves sign. Many people just stop here to admire the view, but if you continue down the track, you’ll come to these lovely caves, which offer daily guided tours in season, and by appointment at other times. As well as the expected stalactites and stalagmites, visitors can also see ancient animal and bird bones.

Quite different from the Ngarua Caves, the Rawhiti Caves have some of the most diverse entrance flora of any caves in New Zealand, as well as stalactites that grow towards the light at the entrance. The carpark to the caves is about 15 minutes’ drive from Takaka, and you’ll need to hike for about an hour to get to the caverns themselves, along a reasonably rough track (avoid going in the wet).

The hiking track to Golden Bay’s largest waterfalls , on the northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park, is especially popular with families, as it’s not too challenging and quite short (about 90 minutes return). It provides a sample of the longer forested trails of the Abel Tasman National Park that family travelers may otherwise miss out on if they’re unable to do a multi-day trek with kids. The trail passes through beautiful native bush, including nikau palms and ferns. The falls themselves are about 65 feet high.

Eat and Drink at Mussel Inn

There isn’t a huge range of dining options in Golden Bay because of its small population (only about 5,000 inhabitants). But, the Mussel Inn is famous, and one of the best places to eat around here. A few minutes’ drive from Collingwood, the cozy inn has a crackling fireplace for colder days and lots of outdoor garden seating for sunny weather. The menu is simple and consists of local delicacies like green-lipped mussels served with garlic bread. They also brew their own beer and host frequent evening live music events.

Kahurangi National Park: The Complete Guide

The 13 Best Restaurants in New Zealand

Farewell Spit: The Complete Trip-Planning Guide

15 "Lord of the Rings" Filming Locations You Can Visit in Real Life

The Complete Guide to Motueka, Mapua, & the Ruby Coast in New Zealand's South Island

The Complete Guide to New Zealand's Great Walks

Abel Tasman National Park: The Complete Guide

The 10 Most Important Historic Sites in New Zealand

The Best 15 Beaches in New Zealand

The 15 Best Small Towns in New Zealand

The Top 20 Things to Do in New Zealand

The Complete Guide to Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand

The 15 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand

Top 10 Places to Go Hiking in New Zealand

Nelson Lakes National Park: The Complete Guide

The Ultimate Guide to New Zealand's West Coast

Abel Tasman

Separated from the rest of the world by one big ol’ hill, the isolation of Golden Bay is one of its biggest charms.

Unique, isolated & utterly charming, golden bay is separated from the rest of new zealand by takaka hill which can cause problems for anybody susceptible to carsickness.  whatever the temporary discomfort, the trip to golden bay is always worth it.  , full of lush green valleys, dairy farms, and long sweeping bays, the natural environment is stunning. there really is no other part of new zealand quite like golden bay.  it may have the more artists and creative types per capita than any other part of the country, but it is also home to some very traditional rural communities..

Takaka, a charming rural village, is the largest town in Golden Bay with a population of just over 1,300 people.  Collingwood is an even smaller village, located on a sometimes wild and windswept beach, flanked on another side by a large tidal estuary.  There are other small communities and holiday houses scattered along the coast around the large crescent shaped bay that is Golden Bay.

Golden Bay has a charm and vibe very much of its own, and is quite unlike anywhere else on the planet.  Local residents seem to have invented and installed a large scale anti-stress device somewhere in the area as it is physically impossible not to feel relaxed and at ease in the place.  Golden Bay is another favourite holiday spot for locals and visitors from overseas looking for somewhere off the beaten track.

Golden Bay is the northern access point for the Abel Tasman National Park.

Golden Bay has some of the most remote, wild and wonderful spots in New Zealand.  The western coast is full of long, windswept beaches, huge sand dunes, massive wetland areas, huge tidal estuaries, and rocky outcrops that belong to another planet.

Wharariki is perhaps the most accessible of these beaches, but is still a 20 minute walk across farmland from an unsealed road.  It is well worth the effort though with an amazing, beautiful beach, funky rock formations and a large NZ fur seal colony.

Further down the coast is the expansive Whanganui Inlet, a wonderful combination of tidal estuary, and wetlands.  The fishing out this far is wonderful because it’s well protected by the weather.  Recreational boats can only access the outer areas of the coast across a sandbar that is only passable under certain weather conditions.  Further down the coast is Anatori, a remote and stunning camping spot.

Much of this western area of Golden Bay is the Kahurangi National Park.  In addition to the Heaphy Track, another of New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Kahurangi is full of hiking trails, huts and some of New Zealand’s very best backcountry areas.

There are lots of fun family things to do and places to visit in “the bay”. An abundance of nature and good weather make it easy to plan and enjoy family time together.

The long thin piece of land that pokes out from the South Island’s north-western corner is Farewell Spit.  Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance.  The Spit is around 35km long and public access is restricted to the first 4km with vehicle access only allowed for supervised tours by concession holders. Farewell Spit Eco Tours   run awesome guided trips from Collingwood. 

The historic Langford Store in Bainham is well worth a visit. The store has been in the same family for generations, since it opened in 1928. EB Langford was the initial proprietor, followed by his grand-daughter Lorna who ran the store and post office for 63 years.

Langford Stire- Bainham - Golden Bay

 After a cuppa and a scone at the store, it’s a short drive to the Salisbury Falls swimming hole. This is a remarkably beautiful spot in the river with extraordinarily deep swimming holes, and big rocks from which to jump into the aforementioned swimming holes.  It also has the largest supply of the small flat stones that are perfect for skimming (skipping to our friends from the US of A). Visitors have been known to skim stones for so long their arms end up hurting for days afterwards.

The Wainui Falls Track , located just inside the National Park is an excellent walk for young families.  It includes a nice little suspension bridge and the rather picturesque waterfall at the end.

Just north of Takaka is the rather remarkable Te Waikoropupū Springs or Pupu Springs for short. These are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and they contain some of the clearest water ever measured.  The spring discharges 14,000 litres of water per second (trust me, that’s a lot).  They are also rather pretty to look at and the little bush walk to get there is nice too!

Pupu Springs - Golden Bay

The qualities of the water from Te Waikoropupu Springs are of considerable scientific interest. In 1993, The National Institute for Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) carried out optical measurements underwater and found that the visibility was 63 metres.  More recent tests have put the visibility at 80 metres. This is very close to optically pure water, with clearer water found only beneath Antarctica’s near-frozen Weddell Sea. The water clarity is a result of natural filtering prior to the water’s emergence at the Springs.

Located just before you reach Takaka is Anatoki Salmon Fishing & Cafe.   When you arrive here you arm yourself with a fishing rod and then attempt to catch yourself a meal in a person-made lake populated with salmon raised on the property.  Once you’ve caught yourself a fish, you take it back to the cafe where it cleaned ready to take away and cook yourself, or to have it hot smoked while you wait.  This is an ideal and fun introduction to fishing for kids as it’s as close to a ‘sure thing’ as it gets.

Golden Bay attracts rock climbers from all over the world looking to access the renowned limestone crags in the area.  There are two main crag options for climbing in Golden Bay, with a few other off-track spots scattered around the place.

However, between the bush clad limestone bluffs of Paynes Ford and the sunbaked Pohara Sea Cliffs there are over 300 climbs to keep climbers entertained for many weeks. Located just outside Takaka is a campground that caters specifically to outdoors enthusiast who doesn’t mind living cheap and easy. The generally easy going rock climbing community congregate at Hangdog to share stories and experiences, in between their adventures.

As you drive into Takaka you will be struck by how many art galleries line the main road.  This will give you an initial indication of just how many creative people call Golden Bay home.  The fact you can live cheaply in Golden Bay, and that housing has always been comparatively affordable has drawn artists to the area for many decades. Let’s face it, creating pieces of art is not always the easiest way to make a living.

In addition to the galleries that line the main drag in Takaka, you will spot signs for galleries all over Golden Bay.  By way of example, Onekaka Arts is an excellent carver’s studio and shop for local jade (Greenstone or Pounamu to locals) and unique jewellery.   A short distance from Onekaka is Living Light Candles the perfect place to pick up the perfect gift! Estuary Arts has an extensive range of artwork in ceramic and glass, as well as acrylic and watercolour paintings. Peter Geen does incredible landscape paintings of places around Golden Bay that they look like photographs, only much, much cooler! The listings above are a small selection of the incredible arts and crafts available in Golden Bay.  The best way to discover the work of local artists is to wander through the galleries and stores in Takaka, or to cruise around the roads of Golden Bay stopping each time you see a gallery signposted!

Ngarua Caves is a visitor attraction right at the top of the Takaka Hill. The Caves make a perfect rest stop if your stomach needs some recovery time after having come up either side of the Takaka Hill.  However, it is also well worth the visit in its own right. 

The Caves have an extensive variety of stalagmites and stalactites, some of which can look rather phallic if that’s the way your mind works!  The Caves also contain an excellent skeletal display of the extinct moa, a large flightless bird.  Before hungry humans wiped them out, moa would sometimes fall through holes to the floor of the caves below, and it is the remains on these birds you will see. Located on the property is also a huge, truly remarkable piece of local jade.

The Abel Tasman National Park is the most recognised attraction of the region but once you’re here, there are plenty of other places to explore.

Kaiteriteri - Nelson Tasman region

golden bay tours

  • NZ: +64 9 930 7682
  • AU: 1800 953 040

golden bay tours

Golden Bay & Marlborough

7 days / 6 nights

The Golden Bay & Marlborough Tour is the best way to experience the top of the South Island.

Enjoy two 2 night stays (in Golden Bay and Blenheim) and leisurely pace to the travel.

The tour includes a full day tour out on Farewell Spit and Cape Farewll, a cruise Tasman Bay, visit the spectacular Omaka Aviation Museum, and enjoy a wine tasting at a Marlborough vineyard.

Tours include home pickup & return with in Christchurch, and return airfare packages including door to door service / home pickup from an incredible range of areas.

per person, twin share

Solo travellers (same gender) are matched for twin share at no extra cost.

NZD $795 Single Supplement

(to guarantee a single room)

Return Airfare Packages from $199 per person  (including door to door service – home pickup/dropoff)

EX: Auckland, Wellington + MORE.

Maruia Falls

Departure Dates

21 Feb 2024

20 Mar 2024

Door to Door Service + Flight & Transfer Options

Hotel or home pickup and return from Christchurch included on this tour.

Gold Club Tours offers a door to door service from a wide range of areas throughout New Zealand.

Return flights (incl door to door service / home pickup & return) from Auckland, Wellington + more from $199 per person.

Pickup Locations

  • Christchurch

Hotel or home pickup and return from Christchurch included.

Return flights (incl door to door service / home pickup & return) from Auckland, Wellington + more $199 per person.

If your area is not listed below, please contact us to find out if we can offer this for you – we look for reasons to say yes, not no.

Flights Packages

Return flights (incl door to door service / home pickup & return) are available from Auckland, Wellington + MORE.

Auckland & Wellington $199 per person ( Others  from  $199 per person).

* subject to airfares availability and flight times. Enquire with us via phone or email.

Travel Insurance

Gold Club Tours always recommend that guests take out travel insurance. This is important whether it is for international or domestic travel. In the event you are unable to travel before or during a tour, cancellation terms apply – take out insurance to protect yourself.

Tour Itinerary

golden bay tours

Christchurch, Hanmer Springs

This morning, you will be picked up from your nominated address, then head off to join the rest of your group for an easy coach journey to Hanmer Springs. Departing Christchurch in the early afternoon, we travel north past Leithfield and Amberley. Waipara is known for it’s vineyards and olive groves. The highway continues through farm land and gentle hill country, crossing the Hurunui River and passing through Balmoral Forest. The last part of the journey follows the Waiau River, stopping at the Hanmer Springs Bridge for a view of the river with its majestic cliff faces. Arriving in Hanmer Springs, a destination known for relaxation, we check-in and take some time to relax. This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant with your new companions.

Stay:  Hanmer Springs Hotel

golden bay tours

Hanmer Springs – Maruia Falls – Golden Bay

Today, we enjoy breakfast in the hotel before we set off for our scenic journey to Golden Bay. Our road follows various rivers along the way, including the Maruia River – where we make a stop at the beautiful Maruia Falls. The Lewis Pass takes us through Beech forest, and after Springs Junction, we’ll travel along a beautiful section of road that leads you through the enchanting Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, which has New Zealand’s largest natural population of Kakariki. Heading into the Abel Tasman region, we will turn towards Highway 60. Experiencing the long, slow climb over Takaka Hill (The ‘Marble Mountain’). The fabulous view of Golden Bay will keep you entertained. Arriving at our accommodation for the next 2 nights, we’ll check in and head out to dinner.

Stay:  Mohua Motel Golden Bay

golden bay tours

Farewell Spit & Cape Farewell Eco Tour

After breakfast, we head north to the famous Farewell Spit. We move from our tour coach to our special offroad vehicles for a full day exploration of the dunes, the lighthouse and the northernmost point of the South Island, Cape Farewell. Farewell Spit Nature reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance, being more strictly protected than a national park. The Spit is around 35km long, and only the first 4km has public access. Cape Farewell boasts dramatic cliff-top views, and seals and their pups can be seen all year basking on the rocks below. The spectacular coastal cliffs have an unusual geologic formation, with strata-lines of the layers which would normally be horizontal instead vertical.  We are guided by a local expert who will enable us access to visit this special place and Cape Farewell. We head to Fossil Point, at the foot of the Spit, a popular hauling out place for fur seals. The area is aptly named as fossilised shells and wormcasts emerge from blocks of mudstone at the base of the cliffs and sea life abounds in rock pools nearby. Further along the ocean beach we stop at the Lighthouse reserve, where we enjoy a 45 minute stop to view the lighthouse and pouwhenua, and discover the connection between the local Iwi and Onetahua (Farewell Spit). At the end of the day, we will return to the hotel to freshen up, before departing for dinner at a restaurant. 

After breakfast we’ll set off for Te Waikoropupu Springs. A short loop walk goes through the forest to a platform that sits partly over the water of Te Waikoropupū Springs. Discharging 14,000 litres of water per second, the springs are New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs and the largest coldwater springs in the southern hemisphere. They contain some of the clearest water ever measured. Arriving in Kaiteriteri and the Abel Tasman National Park, we depart from picturesque Kaiteriteri Beach on a scenic cruise right into the bays, islands and beaches of the majestic Abel Tasman National Park. You’ll get a chance to see and photograph the world-famous Split Apple Rock from close up, see native Fur Seals (Kekeno) in their natural habitat, marvel at the golden sands and the turquoise waters of the Astrolabe Roadstead, Anchorage, Bark Bay and Medlands beach all before you return to Kaiteriteri. At the conclusion of our cruise, we rejoin our tour coach and make our way to Nelson. We visit a local art gallery before arriving at our hotel, where we check in for the evening.

Stay:  Trailways Hotel Nelson

golden bay tours

Marlborough, Winery Visit & Tasting, Blenheim

After breakfast, we will explore Nelson at leisure for the morning, then head through to the Marlborough region. The drive to Blenheim is both beautiful and interesting, coastal views giving way to lush forests and vineyards. We’ll visit a local winery, and learn how Marlborough became New Zealand’s largest and most famous wine region. We’ll check into our hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner on site. 

Stay:  Chateau Marlborough Hotel or Scenic Hotel Marlborough (or similar)

golden bay tours

Blenheim – Omaka Aviation Museum Visit & Tour

This morning after breakfast, we’ll head off to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre for a guided in-depth tour. Omaka presents two outstanding exhibitions. The original Knights of the Sky exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson’s own collection of WW1 aircraft and artifacts. This story of aviation in the Great War is brought to life in sensational sets created by the internationally acclaimed WingNut Films and Weta Workshop.  The second exhibition ‘Dangerous Skies’, featuring stories from World War II, these are tales of daring, valour and tragedy stretching from the British Isles to the forests of Germany, an embattled but courageous Russia and the Pacific Islands. 

golden bay tours

Blenheim – Kaikōura - Christchurch

After breakfast we depart for Christchurch. Travelling along the SH1 Coastal Road which offers panoramic views of the coastline. We make a stop in Kaikōura, famous for the Kaikōura Whale Watch and a popular spot to try locally sourced crayfish. Then departing Kaikoura, we continue on to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch you are met and transferred to your home address or homeward flight.

Tour Inclusions

  • ALL Dinners & Cooked Breakfasts
  • Quality 3 & 4 Star Accommodation
  • No Oversized Groups – Minimum 6 Unoccupied Seats
  • Minimum 35 Seats Tour Vehicle
  • Door to Door Service from  vast range of areas.
  • All Listed Sights & Admissions
  • Prices per person, based on sharetwin – single supplement available.

Tour Highlights

  • Hanmer Springs
  • Cape Farewell & Farewell Spit Tour
  • Abel Tasman National Park
  • Omaka Aviation Museum
  • Cruise Tasman Bay
  • Marlborough Winery & Tasting

Tour Reviews

Tour Leader

Our leader Graham was first class, helpful, informative and a lot of fun.

Cynthia Gibson , Kohimarama, Auckland

Accommodation

Incredibly comfortable and well appointed.

Lewis & Helen Woodburn, Remuera, Auckland

Cooked breakfasts at every location. Ample food selections available.

Stuart & Deb McKenzie, Tamatea, Napier

Dinners were exceptional. Especially in Takaka where the chefs interacted with us, explaining the different varieties. Fantastic!

Rebecca Gudmundsen, Ngongotaha, Rotorua

Tour Vehicles

The tour coach was superb and our driver John Gould was a true professional. His driving was faultless and he took a real pride in his coach.

Carl Southern , Henderson, Auckland

Included Activities & Admissions

Exactly what I had signed up for.

Home Pickup

Prompt, courteous, comfortable.

Peter Sledmere, Hataitai, Wellington

Home Dropoff

Very professional, and what helpful and kind drivers.

Value For Money

Tour totally exceeded my expectations – definitely value for money.

Allan Sendles, Remuera, Auckland

Farewell Spit Eco Tours

golden bay tours

  • See all photos

golden bay tours

Similar Experiences

golden bay tours

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Jo Lo

Farewell Spit Eco Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

NZ Tourism.com

  • North Island Tours
  • South Island Tours
  • North & South Island Tours
  • Australia – New Zealand
  • Self Drive Tours
  • Coach Tours
  • Guided Tours
  • Small Group
  • Motorhome Holidays
  • Adventure Tours
  • Top 10+ Things to See & Do
  • Northland & Bay of Islands
  • Coromandel Peninsula
  • Bay of Plenty
  • Gisborne & Eastland
  • Hawke’s Bay
  • Waikato & Waitomo
  • Whanganui & Manawatu
  • Wellington & Wairarapa
  • Marlborough
  • Nelson Tasman
  • Kaikoura & Hanmer Springs
  • Christchurch – Canterbury
  • Mount Cook & Mackenzie
  • Dunedin & Otago
  • Stewart Island
  • How to Book a Tour
  • Touring/Transportation Options
  • Accommodation Options
  • Car Rental for Self Drive Tours
  • Campervan Rental for Self Drive Tours
  • Driving in New Zealand
  • Route Planner & NZ Map
  • Tailor Made Enquiry Form
  • Large Group Tour Enquiry Form
  • Custom Private Tours Enquiry Form

Golden Bay Tours

On the other side of Takaka Hill is Golden Bay, a part of the Nelson region that is further off the beaten track, but very much worth the journey. Small towns offer a mix of quirky cafés and craft shops, and adventure activities include 4WD trips to Farewell Spit, a nature reserve and the world’s longest sandbar. It’s a part of the country that’s wild and pristine, nowhere more so than at Te Waikoropupu Springs -thought to be the clearest freshwater springs in the world. Wander down the forest trail to see them but don’t be tempted to swim because the springs could easily become contaminated.

The town of Takaka is the largest centre of the region – it’s laid-back and quirky, and offers several café and accommodation options. At the other end of the bay is Collingwood, a tiny village where trips depart to Farewell Spit and hikers set out on the Heaphy Track to the West Coast.

Golden Bay New Zealand, Photo: Miles Holden

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

  • Spot a variety of seabirds on a 4WD tour of Farewell Spit
  • 178-metre Harwood’s Hole – deepest sinkhole in the Southern Hemisphere
  • Wander to the Te Waikoropupu Springs
  • Follow the Art Trail at Collingwood
  • Mountain bike the Rameka Track on the Takaka Hill and sample vegetarian fare at a Takaka café.

Useful Golden Bay Resources

  • Golden Bay Official Site

Golden Bay Day Tours & Attractions

Listing view, north island tours & day trips.

  • Northland & Bay of Islands
  • Gisborne & Eastland
  • Hawke's Bay
  • Waikato & Waimoto
  • Wanganui - Manawatu
  • Wellington & Wairarapa

South Island Tours & Day Trips

  • Kaikoura & Hanmer Springs
  • Christchurch & Canterbury
  • Mount Cook & Mackenzie
  • Dunedin & Otago
  • Southland & Stewart Island

New Zealand Package Tours

  • Seat in Coach Tours
  • Small Group Tours
  • Special Interest Tours

Tours by Locations

  • North & South Island Tours
  • Australia - New Zealand Tours
  • Australia Tours

❤️ TOP 5 Tour Packages

  • 1. Lord Of The Rings New Zealand Tour
  • 2. New Zealand Itinerary 15 days - BEST of New Zealand
  • 3. New Zealand Itinerary 7 Days: North & South Island Highlights
  • 4. New Zealand Itinerary 10 days: Essential New Zealand
  • 5. New Zealand Itinerary 7 Days: Majestic New Zealand

North Island Day Tours

South island day tours,   how to book a tour.

We make it easy to book your trip:

  • 1. CHOOSE YOUR ITINERARY
  • 2. ITINERARY MODIFICATIONS
  • 3. ITINERARY CONFIRMATION
  • 4. DEPOSIT PAYMENT
  • 5. FINAL PAYMENT
  • 6. ITINERARY DOCUMENTS
  • 7. GO ON A VACATION OF A LIFETIME!

  REVIEWS FROM OUR CUSTOMERS

  lowest price guaranteed.

If at any time before your initial deposit date you find the same itinerary for less simply send us a copy of the quote and we will match the deal plus we will even send you a NZ$100 to your bank account as a thank you for your business.

TOURIST INFORMATION

  • New Zealand Visa
  • Best Way To Get to New Zealand
  • Health, Medication and Safety
  • New Zealand Regions
  • Public holidays
  • Weather and Climate
  • New Zealand Festivities
  • Local Transportation
  • New Zealand Etiquette

TAILOR MADE TOURS

We offer you the flexibility to either choose from our existing itineraries or create your own itinerary based on your preferences, requirements, and travel dates. To begin, just get in touch with us and receive your personalized itinerary within 48 hours.

CUSTOM PRIVATE TOURS NZ

You can upgrade your itinerary by taking a private car and an English-speaking driver/guide for the entire itinerary.

Custom Private Tour Inquiry Form >>

TOURS FOR LARGE GROUPS

Looking for a personalized New Zealand tour for a group of 10 or more people? Contact us for a competitive price quote. We specialize in creating unique itineraries that inspire groups.

NEW ZEALAND TOUR PACKAGES:

  • Day Tours & Activities
  • Tailor Made Tours
  • Tours For Large Groups

USEFUL LINKS:

  • How To Book
  • BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • HTML Sitemap

TRAVEL RESOURCES

Connect with us.

  • South Island Self Drive
  • North Island Self Drive
  • Both Islands Self Drive
  • Lord of the Rings Self Drive
  • Motorhome Rental Packages
  • Self Drive Walking Holidays
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Ski and Snow Tours
  • Adventure Tours
  • Hiking Tours
  • Kayaking and Canoeing
  • Rafting Tours
  • Cave Adventures
  • Fishing Charters
  • Horse Trekking Tours
  • Surfing Holidays
  • Great Walks
  • North Island Guided Walks
  • South Island Guided Walks
  • Kiwi Style Hiking
  • Independent Walks
  • Grades and Fitness
  • Bay of Islands
  • Coromandel Peninsula
  • Christchurch
  • Fox Glacier
  • Franz Josef
  • Hanmer Springs
  • Holiday Parks/Powered Motorhome Sites
  • Auckland International Airport
  • Hamilton Airport
  • Napier Airport
  • New Plymouth Airport
  • Palmerston North Airport
  • Tauranga Airport
  • Wellington Airport
  • Blenheim Airport
  • Christchurch Airport
  • Invercargill Airport
  • Nelson Airport
  • Picton Ferry Terminal
  • Escorted Coach and Rail Tours
  • Independent Coach Tours
  • Private Tours
  • Cruise Ship Excursions
  • Discovery Cruises
  • Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruises
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruises
  • Hauraki Gulf Overnight Cruise
  • North Island
  • South Island
  • Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Day Tours
  • Adventure Day Tours
  • Food and Wine
  • Maori Culture Day Tours
  • Photography Tours
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Hiking Holidays
  • Horse Riding Holidays
  • Self Drive Holidays
  • Snow and Ski Holidays
  • Motorhome Rental
  • Airport Shuttles
  • Auckland New Zealand
  • Bay of Plenty
  • The Coromandel
  • Tongariro National Park
  • Waitomo Caves
  • Fiordland National Park
  • Franz Josef Glacier
  • Marlborough
  • Mt Cook - Aoraki
  • Stewart Island
  • Or maybe you'd like to:
  • View Sitemap
  • Contact Go NZ

golden bay tours

Golden Bay in a Day

Pricing From $339

Our Golden Bay In A Day tour offers travelers the opportunity to experience the tremendous natural beauty of some of the region's most popular attractions, including the stunning Golden Bay.

The tour begins with an 8:30 AM departure from Nelson and will pass by the Waimea Plains and the historic Upper Moutere before continuing on to Takaka Hill. From here, travelers will embark on foot across the marble rock outcroppings dotting the terrain into the scenic forests in order to reach a stunning vista that allows for a magnificent view of Nelson below. Then it’s back to the touring van for a drive to some of the most celebrated scenic overlooks in the area which includes Fisherman Island, the Abel Tasman and the Kahurangi National Parks, and the spectacular Golden Bay.

One of the more fascinating stops on this tour is at Te Waikoropupu Springs, the largest cold-water spring in the entirety of the Southern Hemisphere which contains the clearest, most pristine water ever measured on the planet. This is one of several unique attractions found in Golden Bay. The Te Waikoropupu Springs are considered to be “wahi tapu”, a location held in high cultural and spiritual regard by the Maori who originally inhabited this area. Rich with mining lore, the area around the spring is also where you can witness that various stages of re-vegetation using beech and podocarp trees and, most importantly, endemic plant species.

On the eastern edge of Golden Bay, the tour will pass magnificent limestone formations that have been created over thousands of years of geological development. The route will also include a brief visit to the Abel Tasman memorial lookout, a location that carries special significance for the Maori, the Dutch and the nation of New Zealand as a whole!

Travelers will enjoy a gourmet, leisurely lunch on Tata Beach composed of local, fresh produce. The beach includes spectacular views of a mussel farm, nearby Wainui Bay, the popular golden sands of Ligar Bay, and the Abel Tasman National Park. Following this satisfying meal, travelers will embark on their final short walk of the day into a hidden and remarkable limestone formation shaped by erosive undersea currents and home to a unique collection of plant species.  

Departures Daily

Start: Nelson (8:30am)

Finish: Nelson (5:30pm)

  • Stunning alpine then coastal views in route.
  • Diversity of landscapes.
  • Walking on golden sand beach while a Picnic lunch kiwi style is being prepared.
  • The unique discoveries and stories in a small hidden corner.
  • Diverse landscapes and forest types.
  • Gourmet picnic lunch.

Cost per person

October 2022 - September 2023

  • Adult: NZ$339
  • Child: NZ$169.50

Maximum of 11 people This tour can be done as an exclusive tour, prices on application

Child Policy:

Children 15 years and under travelling half price if travelling with 2 adults

Enquire Now!

Similar Tours

Private Taste Buds for Foodies Full Day Tour

  • © 2024 Go New Zealand

Website by Bam Creative

Book now, pay later No credit card required

Fields marked with * are required

Please add the ages of the children and infants travelling with you. Ages would be at time of travel. Add ages for children (2-17 years) and infants (1 - 24 months) separated by a comma. Eg. 5, 7, 10

Your Details

Available options.

Please select the primary option first. Following that choice, if there are any secondary options available please select one of them.

Please enter Nelson accommodation here

Other passengers.

Please list the full name(s) of each passenger travelling with you.

General Information

Please specify if you wish to include any tour options or extra days & if you have any special requirements. e.g dietary, physical, medical; and (if available) advise arrival and departure flight details in New Zealand.

Send Booking Enquiry

Start Your Holiday

Self-Drive Holidays

Adventure Holidays

Book Accommodation

Book Car Rental

Book Campervan Hire

Coach Touring

Cruise Holidays

Family Holidays

About Blog Explore NZ

Search Tours

Wine, Art & Wilderness Tours - Nelson - Marlborough - NZ

Golden Bay in a Day Tour

Golden Bay one of the least known absolute gems in New Zealand. Huge diversity of landscapes from wild storm worn coast to placid estuaries, amazing limestone grottos, the worlds clearest spring water…

golden bay tours

Golden Bay In A Day Tour

*Please note: Golden Bay in a Day and Wild NorthWest can be combined into a 2 day 1 night stopover. Details and price on application.

  • Spectacular views, caves, short walks
  • Te Waikoropupu Springs – clearest water in the World
  • Takaka village, a town with a hippy persona
  • The golden sands of Tata Beach
  • Wainui Falls, the largest waterfall in the region
  • Grove Reserve – a thrust up collection of strange limestone formations supporting a rare and unique collection of almost tropical plant life with unbelievable habits

Request a booking

Tour overview

Depart Nelson 8.30 am and travel over the productive Waimea Plains, through the historic Upper Moutere and up Takaka Hill. The first short walk is through ancient granite and marble rock outcrops and into a quaint forest remnant for a spectacular view back towards Nelson.

There are options to be guided through Ngarua Cave (Middle Earth) and exit on to a Hobbit film site. The drive continues over an altitude of 791 metres for views of Fisherman Island and Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and Golden Bay.

The taonga, Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere and is the clearest water ever measured in the world. This small area surrounding the springs is wahi tapu, a place held in high cultural and spiritual regard, is steeped in gold mining history and is the perfect place to observe the many stages of re-vegetation of a unique indigenous forest that contains a huge collection of plants including mature beech and podocarp trees and plants found nowhere else.

Towards the eastern side of Golden Bay the road passes through a natural hole and along side amazing limestone formations to the Abel Tasman memorial lookout which is significant to Maori and the Dutch as well as New Zealand as a whole.

View the Golden sands of Ligar Bay then feast on a gourmet lunch on Tata Beach before overlooking a mussel farm, Wainui Bay and Abel Tasman National Park.

The final short walk of the day is virtually into a hidden secret. A fascinating limestone area shaped and worn by strong undersea currents before being thrust up from the ocean into a sub-tropical climate that supports a unique collection of plants, some with strange habits and incredible stories.

golden bay tours

Enquire about this tour

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Message

Wine, Art & Wilderness tours New Zealand

Get In Touch

Tiaki Promise

Discover New Zealand

Golden Bay sits to the north west of Tasman Bay and the city of Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park. One road in and one road out make this a destination that requires a little more planning and determination to visit than other areas of the South Island but for those who do the reward is stunning vistas of rugged mountains, green valleys and miles of golden sand beaches. Farewell Spit which sits off the northern tip of the bay and this is the longest sand spit in the country at 25 km. It is also a nature reserve and an internationally-renowned bird sanctuary with over 90 bird species recorded in the area. Every spring, thousands of wading birds arrive from the northern hemisphere. Other birds range from black swans to sparrows. Penguins also breed in the area.

Golden Bay in a Day Tour with Wine, Art & Wilderness - Includes Lunch

Golden Bay in a Day Tour with Wine, Art & Wilderness - Includes Lunch

Travel over the productive Waimea Plains, through the historic Upper Moutere and up Takaka Hill. The first short walk is through ancient granite and marble rock outcrops and into a quaint forest remnant for a spectacular view back towards Nelson. The taonga, Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere, and is the clearest water ever measured in the world. This small area surrounding the springs is wahi tapu, a place held in high cultural and spiritual regard, is steeped in gold mining history and is the perfect place to observe the many stages of re-vegetation of a unique indigenous forest that contains a huge collection of plants including mature beech and podocarp trees and plants found nowhere else. View the Golden sands of Ligar Bay then feast on a gourmet lunch on Tata Beach before overlooking a mussel farm, Wainui Bay, and Abel Tasman National Park.

Lord of the Rings 'South of Rivendell' Private Scenic Helicopter Flight to Mt Olympus

Lord of the Rings 'South of Rivendell' Private Scenic Helicopter Flight to Mt Olympus

Fly over the spectacular Kahurangi National Park to Golden Bay. Land on Mt Olympus, which is extremely remote and can only be accessed by helicopter. The area sprouts rocky outcrops which over time have been eroded by weather to form incredible columnar shapes, formations that were used to portray the 'South of Rivendell' in the Lord of the Rings - where the nine travellers hid from the crebain crows of Saruman. Marvel at the spectacular views and unique landscape before your return flight to Nelson.

Cruise to Golden Bay Day Tour with Wine, Art & Wilderness - Includes Lunch

Cruise to Golden Bay Day Tour with Wine, Art & Wilderness - Includes Lunch

Enjoy a scenic drive across the Waimea Plains, the Moutere Hills, and on to Kaiteriteri. Here, join a cruise along the coastline of Abel Tasman National Park, passing golden sand beaches, Split Apple Rock, Adele Island wildlife sanctuary, and Fur Seal colonies before arriving at the beautiful beach of Totaranui. Exploring Golden Bay, see the best spots including Te Waikoropupu Springs - home to some of the clearest fresh water in the world before enjoying the return drive home with its stunning views across Takaka Hill. This is an all-inclusive tour, including refreshments and a gourmet picnic lunch.

Farewell Spit Eco Tour including picnic lunch

Farewell Spit Eco Tour including picnic lunch

Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance, around 35km long and public access is restricted to the first 4km. More strictly protected than a national park, vehicle access is granted only to supervised tours. Onetahua is the Maori name for Farewell Spit and translated means "heaped up sand". The Farewell Spit Eco Tour which, as well as exploring the spit, stops in Puponga and at the most northern point on the South island, Cape Farewell. From the cliff top, seals and their pups can be seen all year basking on the rocks below. At the Farewell Spit Lighthouse there is time to explore around the historic buildings and enjoy the  refreshments provided in the century old lighthouse keepers' residence. Along the beach you have stunning views of the Tasman coastline and the opportunity to climb the sand dune at Mullet Channel for panoramic views of the inter-tidal plain and a stop at Fossil Point, where fossilised shells and worm casts emerge from blocks of mudstone cliffs.

Golden Bay Kayaks Family Guided Tour

Golden Bay Kayaks Family Guided Tour

Explore the spectacular Abel Tasman National Park with Golden Bay Kayaks. Leave from Tata Beach in Golden Bay for a fun-filled tour of the local culture, heritage and ecological diversity. Visit New Zealand's largest shag colony, paddle through a magnificent granite archway and explore the areas beautiful beaches. A great tour for the family, enjoy an incredible day on the ocean with your friendly and knowledgeable guides.

Nelson Lakes Discovery Day Tour with Wine, Art & Wilderness - Includes Lunch

Nelson Lakes Discovery Day Tour with Wine, Art & Wilderness - Includes Lunch

This tour begins with a scenic drive to Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park, which protects the northern section of the Southern Alps. During the Ice Age, massive glaciers gouged out basins in the mountainous headwaters of the Buller River to form a series of alpine lakes. The steep, craggy, and bare-faced mountains and shingle fans lend a dramatic atmosphere to the park but at their base near the lake, you will take a gentle walk through the beautiful beech forest. This is the perfect place to see conservation in action and the results of an intensive pest trapping and eradication program. You will experience the vivid birdsong and the rejuvenated forest understory returning to its pre-European condition that has allowed the re-introduction of kiwi & kaka and improved the breeding conditions of robins, tomtits, and rifleman, New Zealand’s smallest bird, as well as other birds and insects.

The Ultimate Lord of the Rings Private Scenic Helicopter Flight

The Ultimate Lord of the Rings Private Scenic Helicopter Flight

Be immersed in some of the incredible scenery from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. Begin this spectacular flight heading north-west over Golden Bay to land on Mt Olympus and explore the ‘South of Rivendell.’ You’ll then fly towards Mount Owen over the vast Kahurangi Park. Land once more to see rugged terrain recognisable from the scene ‘exit from the mines of Moria.’ You’ll have the opportunity to take photographs before heading back to Nelson, flying over Tasman Bay.

Check out our travel blogs here

Get inspired with stories and advice on visiting New Zealand.

Our team of New Zealand specialists can help you create the perfect touring itinerary. Whether you want to explore the South Island on a self drive holiday or the North Island on an escorted coach tour package we can design or recommend the best options. We have a huge range of accommodation ideas to suit everyone and our first hand experience of destinations and activities means that we can give the best, most up to date honest advice.

Discover New Zealand is part of the New Zealand Fine Touring Group of companies. It specialises in self drive, seat in coach and guided coach touring holidays across New Zealand's North & South Islands. We have hundreds of tour ideas listed to inspire you or give you an indication of what is possible to achieve on your New Zealand adventure. Whether it is a luxury fully guided coach tour or a self driven off the beaten track adventure, we have something suitable for everyone. Our wide range of tour lengths and tour prices give you options and are tailor-made so we can build the itinerary to suit your interests and needs. Our team of consultants are all 100% Pure New Zealand Certified specialists and are passionate about designing your New Zealand holiday. Our consultation service is free and our quotes are provided with no obligation. Based in the heart of Wanaka you can be assured you will get the best local advice when planning your dream holiday to New Zealand. Contact one of our experienced team today. Discover New Zealand is also Qualmark Gold Certified. This is Tourism New Zealand's official measure of how our business impacts the environment and our team are proud to have achieved the highest level of quality.

© Copyright 2024 Discover New Zealand | [email protected]

See the South Island NZ Travel Blog

15 of the Best Things to Do in Golden Bay

By Author Jon Algie

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2024

Categories Golden Bay

15 of the Best Things to Do in Golden Bay

Golden Bay is a small region at the top of the South Island famous for its unspoilt beaches and quiet pace of life. There are heaps of fun things to do in Golden Bay, including trips to Abel Tasman National Park, the scenic drive to Anatori and a place where you’ll see some of the clearest water in New Zealand.

Tākaka and nearby

Tākaka is the biggest town in Golden Bay and you’ll most likely pass through it a couple of times. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Golden Bay it’s your best bet, although Collingwood is nice too.

Tākaka Hill

The steep, winding road over Tākaka Hill separates Golden Bay from the rest of the South Island and can be a little intimidating. The good news about drives like this in New Zealand is that the views are usually stunning, and it’s the same for Tākaka Hill.

golden bay tours

It takes around an hour to drive from one side of the hill to the other (Motueka to Tākaka). There are a few places to pull over and grab some photos, or you could check out Ngarua Caves (short cave tours), Harwood’s Hole or Tākaka Hill Walkway. Stop at Riuwaka Resurgence on the Motueka side if you have time.

golden bay tours

Te Waikoropupū Springs

You’ll see some of the clearest water in New Zealand on the short walk around Te Waikoropupū Springs . It’s one of the most popular things to do in Golden Bay and it’s easy to see why! For the best experience try to get there while the sun is shining (and not too early / late) as it looks a lot better in good light.

golden bay tours

The Grove / Labyrinth Rocks

The Grove is a forest area just outside of Tākaka with an interesting twist. Massive rocks are strewn along and around the short track — definitely one of the more unique bits of forest you’ll see. That is unless you’ve already been to the Labyrinth Rocks — it’s very similar but, as you might expect from the name, it’s a little easier to get lost.

golden bay tours

Pretty much everyone knows Abel Tasman National Park is home to the South Island’s best beeches, but there’s a much more accessible beach in Golden Bay which is almost as nice. Tata Beach is stunning, and only a 20-minute drive from Tākaka — it’s a great option if you’re not keen to drive the whole way to Totaranui.

golden bay tours

Rawhiti Cave

One of our favourite caves in the South Island is found on the outskirts of Tākaka. Rawhiti Cave is located up a steep, muddy hill — definitely not the easiest place to visit! Once at the top you’ll see the cave mouth filled with thousands of stalactites guarding the entrance. You can’t walk very far in but what you can see is really impressive.

READ MORE: Top 12 Caves in the South Island

golden bay tours

Downtown Tākaka

Tākaka is a cute little town with plenty of places to eat, sleep and drink. There are also a few galleries (lots of artistic people live in Golden Bay) and as you’ve already seen there’s heaps to do nearby. It’s a great base for exploring the Golden Bay region — check out our post about the best things to do in Tākaka for more information.

golden bay tours

Abel Tasman National Park

The Totaranui side of Abel Tasman National Park is accessible down a long gravel road. It takes around an hour to drive there from Tākaka, passing by Tata Beach along the way.

Totaranui Beach + Walks

After that winding drive you can hang out at Totaranui Beach or do a walk on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Walk in either direction and you’ll find stunning beaches, including Anapai Bay and Goat Bay . You could see both with around five hours of hiking. There’s a huge camping ground at Totaranui Beach — it could be a good idea to stay a night or two if you’re keen to explore Abel Tasman National Park for more than just a day.

golden bay tours

Wainui Falls

You’ll pass by Wainui Falls on the drive from Tākaka to Totaranui. The walk should take around 30 minutes all up and it’s easy — a beautiful waterfall at the end too! It’s far more interesting than any inland places you’ll see on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Combine it with the walk to Anapai Bay and/or Goat Bay and you’ll see some of the best the national park has to offer in one day! You could even do it from Nelson if you really had to (3-4 hours’ drive each way).

golden bay tours

Collingwood + Western Golden Bay

Here’s a collection of some of the other best things to do in Golden Bay, mostly centered around the Collingwood side of the region.

Collingwood

Collingwood is about a quarter of the size of Tākaka and is the only other proper town in Golden Bay. The waterfront area is nice and it’s a good base for exploring the nearby area, which includes most of the stuff below. There’s also a decent beach in Collingwood and it’s the starting point for tours to Farewell Spit.

READ MORE: 10 of the Best Things to Do in Collingwood

golden bay tours

Wharariki Beach

If you’re only going to visit one beach in Golden Bay, it should be Wharariki Beach . Famous for its rock formations just offshore and caves along the beach,  it’s perfect for strolling at sunset. It’s a bit of a walk from the car park to the beach but it’s very scenic, with rolling green hills all around. 

golden bay tours

Cape Farewell

Cape Farewell is right at the northern tip of the South Island, a short drive or walk from Wharariki Beach. There’s a platform right by the carpark with a good view of Cape Farewell, but if you’re keen for a short walk head up the hills either side for a better look.

golden bay tours

Puponga Farm Track

The sights in this part of Golden Bay (Wharariki Beach, Cape Farewell + others) are linked together by the Puponga Farm Track. It’s made up of several shorter tracks and it’s easy to just do a specific section. We walked either side of Cape Farewell — to the north we got a good look at Farewell Spit and to the south we saw Wharariki Beach from above. So many cool views and we only saw a small section — let us know if you’ve done the whole thing!

golden bay tours

Farewell Spit

There are some walks you can do around the base of Farewell Spit, but if you want to see the whole thing you’ll need to book a tour. We missed it last time we visited but my mum did it a few years back and raved about it. The photo of Farewell Spit below was taken close to Cape Farewell — you can get a decent view of it from up there on a clear day.

golden bay tours

This long drive from Collingwood takes you along a mostly gravel road to the Anatori River. A little further past that is the end of the road, with about 50 km of wilderness between it and the northernmost tip of the road in Kohaihai.

golden bay tours

The drive to Anatori features some awesome views, and it’s always cool to see “end of the road” places like this. Jackson Bay, at the southern end of the West Coast is another one to check out.

golden bay tours

Heaphy Track

Part of the wilderness I mentioned south of Anatori is the Heaphy Track, a Great Walk which takes 4-5 days to complete. One end of the track starts close to Collingwood while the other is at Kohaihai on the West Coast — we did the walk to Scotts Beach from the Kohaihai end and highly recommend it — one of the best beaches on the West Coast!

golden bay tours

Other Things to Do in Golden Bay

Other things to do in Golden Bay include golf, watersports, walks (heaps of walks I haven’t mentioned here) and cycling. There are also some interesting pockets of history to explore and some very windswept and lonely stretches of beach. Golden Bay is a special region of the South Island — a compact little area full of natural beauty and so many different walks and scenic drives to take advantage of it. Add it to your South Island itinerary !

golden bay tours

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Check out our South Island travel guide for lots of tips!

  • Latest Posts

golden bay tours

Latest posts by Jon Algie ( see all )

  • Golden Bay Itinerary: Day Trips from Nelson + a Longer Stay - March 26, 2024
  • John Wilson Ocean Drive, Dunedin - March 19, 2024
  • 15 of the Best Things to Do in Golden Bay - March 12, 2024

South Island Tours NZ

  • Small Group Tours
  • Cycle Tours
  • Private Tours

golden bay tours

  • Golden Bay Geological Gems Tour
  • Bluff Oyster Festival & Stewart Island
  • Golden Bay Art and Farewell Spit Tour
  • Molesworth Station & Kaikoura Tour
  • Molesworth and Upper West Coast Tour
  • Central Otago in Autumn Tour
  • Stewart Island and Catlins Tour
  • Hurunui Art & Garden Tour
  • Canterbury Foothills and Rivers Tour
  • More tours...

golden bay tours

  • Molesworth Station Cycle Tour
  • Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Tour
  • Private Tours Customise your own tour 4 Day (3 night) Scenic Tour 3 Day (2 night) Scenic Tour
  • 4WD Tours 4WD Molesworth Station Tag-along Tour 4WD Molesworth Tour Lead Vehicle Seat 4WD D’Urville Island – Marlborough Tag-along Tour 4WD D’Urville Island – Marlborough Tour Lead Vehicle Seat North Otago 4WD Tag-along Tour

Golden Bay Geological Gems & Farewell Spit Tour

Proceed booking, already a member, don't have an account create one., or continue as guest, adding item to wishlist requires an account, tour details.

Discover Golden Bay in more depth, from mountain top glacial lakes with pristine beech forests, meander through the amazing karst limestone rocks in a natural geological wonderland, to hearing the local history of bygone days of mineral mines, shipping routes and hear of the characters who forged out a living in this wonderland of hidden gems.

Enjoy day tours to Whanganui Inlet and Cobb Valley with our local guide who grew up here. Enjoy a Farewell Spit Tour and the Abel Tasman boat cruise on this nature lovers tour.  

Departure & Return Location

Start and finish in Nelson

Departure Time

Price includes.

  • Abel Tasman Boat Cruise
  • Farewell Spit Eco Tour 6.5 hours
  • Two guided tours to out of the way Golden Bay gems
  • 6 nights’ accommodation
  • 6 Breakfasts, 2 Morning Teas, 4 Lunches
  • 6 Evening Dining experiences

Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policy

Deposit $300 per person. Balance is due one month prior to your tour departure date.  

Deposit, Cancellation and Refund Policy: Should you have to cancel there is the option of transferring to another tour date, or we will reimburse you $200 and retain $100 as a booking fee.

Cancellations received after final payment has been made – 50% of trip value will be refunded. We understand that cancellations can occur due to illness or unexpected events therefore we recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance.  

Pre Tour Hotel Nelson

Meet your group and tour guide at Hotel Nelson, where we will stay and have a welcome dinner.

Inclusions: D

Day 1 Abel Tasman

This morning we drive to the Abel Tasman coastline to meet your boat for a scenic Abel Tasman boat cruise from Kaiteriteri Beach to Totaranui, your guide will meet your boat to drive you to Pohara, with some interesting stops along the way.

Tonight’s accommodation is in Pohara in a holiday home not far from the beach.

Inclusions: B MT L D

Day 2 Cobb Valley

Today we will go with our local guide to the Cobb Valley and Mt Arthur Tableland, hear about the forming of the glacial dam at the Cobb, gold mining and asbestos mining pioneers in this geologically rich part of New Zealand.

Day 3 Westhaven Inlet

Today we will go with our local guide to Westhaven Inlet also known as Whanganui Inlet. We will hear of flying crayfisher men, early sea faring relic discoveries, coal seams exposed in sea cliffs just waiting to be chiselled out for passing ships to use, coal and gold mining exploits and the day the power came on in 1969, plus many other tales.

Tonight’s accommodation is at Collingwood Park Motels.

Day 4 Farewell Spit Eco Tour

Enjoy a 6-hour guided Farewell Spit Eco Tour which includes driving to the most northern point of the South Island to see the cliff top dunes of Farewell Spit and the migrant wading birds on the intertidal plain, a tour not to be missed.   Enjoy dinner at the local tavern tonight to round off a fabulous day of nature’s wonders.  

Inclusions: B L D    

Day 5 Milnthorpe Scenic Reserve tour

Enjoy a walk through the Milnthorpe Scenic Reserve tour in the morning before visiting Te Waikoropupu Springs (or ‘Pupu Springs’) famous for the clarity of the water, enjoy a short walk on boardwalks around the springs.

Get a spot of lunch in the heart of Takaka, then we visit the Ngaire Caves at the top of the Takaka Hill for a stunning cave tour before returning to Nelson city.  

We stay the night in Nelson and enjoy a farewell dinner.  

Inclusions: B D

Nelson Finale

Your tour ends after breakfast, airport drop offs by arrangement.

golden bay tours

Related Tours

Custom made South Island tours

Customise your own tour (Made-to-Order)

New South Island 4WD tour around North Otago!

North Otago 4WD Tag-along Tour

THE 5 BEST Golden Bay Tours & Excursions

Golden bay tours.

  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Walking Tours
  • Speed Boats Tours
  • Kayaking & Canoeing
  • 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
  • Hiking & Camping Tours
  • Nature & Wildlife Tours
  • Private Tours
  • Multi-day Tours
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • Adventurous
  • Good for Couples
  • Good for Kids
  • Good for Big Groups
  • Budget-friendly
  • Good for Adrenaline Seekers
  • Hidden Gems
  • Honeymoon spot
  • Good for a Rainy Day
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

golden bay tours

1. Farewell Spit Eco Tours

Geordielad1965

2. Golden Bay Kayaks

eliasgrantliolis

3. Golden Bay Air

Carodale

4. Charlie's Discovery Speedboat Trips

gorasheen

5. Kahurangi Guided Walks

SusanE2763

6. Wildcat Charters

xrubytan

7. Gold Hunting Adventures

What travellers are saying.

Grant B

  • Golden Bay Air
  • Golden Bay Kayaks
  • Charlie's Discovery Speedboat Trips
  • Farewell Spit Eco Tours
  • Kahurangi Guided Walks

Farewell Spit Tours

Sand dunes & panoramic views

A highlight of the trip along the spit beach is the opportunity to stop and climb one of the low sand dunes that run down the spine of the spit. From the top of the dunes a 360 degree view unfolds. Discover more...

Lighthouse

The historic lighthouse is located about 27 kms along the beach, almost at the seaward end of Farewell Spit.  Discover more...

Gannet Colony

Gannet colony

The Australasian Gannet colony, a short way past the lighthouse, is New Zealand's newest mainland gannet colony.  Discover more...

wader watch image

Wader Watch Area

The Wader Watch Area is an ideal spot to view birds like bar-tailed godwits, knots, turnstones and other arctic waders.  Discover more...

Fossil Point morning sun

Fossil Point

Fossil Point is a beautiful meeting place of ocean and land. Look closely here and you'll see small fossilised shells and worms outlined in the rock at the base of the cliffs.  Discover more...

Cape Farewell

Cape Farewell

Cape Farewell is the northern-most point of the South Island. Peep over the edge of the dramatically sculpted quartz sandstone cliffs and you may see lazy New Zealand Fur Seals soaking up the sun on a rocky ledge far below.  Discover more...

Farewell Spit Tours - Gannet

Welcome to Farewell Spit Tours

Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance, being more strictly protected than a national park.

Farewell Spit is around 35km long and public access is restricted to the first 4km. Vehicle access is only allowed for supervised tours by concession holders. Through sharing the experience of visiting Farewell Spit we can help to raise public awareness of this extraordinary ecosystem, so vital for our migratory birds.

Come with us to this special place, where you can view the historic lighthouse and explore its intriguing reserve. The Farewell Spit Tour, our most popular, departs from Collingwood and visits Cape Farewell (the South Island’s most northern point) and Fossil Point, and also includes our Lighthouse tour.

Feel free to explore our Discovery page where you will find incredibly interesting places such as Cape Farewell , Fossil Point , the Wader Watch area , the sand dune environment , the Lighthouse and the Gannet Colony at the tip of the spit.

Red and White Fleet Logo

Experience A Piece of San Francisco History

Create the best memories of san francisco .

Memories are what we create when we travel. 

At Red and White , w e believe the friendliness of our staff, the quality of our vessels,

the rich content of our narration and the local food and drinks we serve

all help create the best memory of your time on the Bay.   

As a family-owned and operated business for over 130 years,

we take pride in being res ponsible stewards of San Francisco Bay.

  So come aboard an d  create the best memories of your time in San Franc isco.

Red and White Fleet Harbor Princess

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

The original classic. A jaw-dropping one-hour nonstop adventure for your senses. Not to mention the most famous bridge in the world, and an equally infamous island prison.

$38 Adult (18+)

$29 Youth (5-17)

Ages 4 and Under Free

San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise

Our 90 minute San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise gives you unbeatable views of the San Francisco skyline and world famous Bay Bridge, as well as all the most popular sights on San Francisco Bay and finishes with a trip under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

$48 Adult (18+)

$36 Youth (5-17)

California Sunset Cruise

Our two-hour sunset cruise is the perfect way to cap off a day in San Francisco. Ever wanted to see the California sun drop slowly into the Pacific Ocean, framed by the majestic Golden Gate, from the middle of San Francisco Bay? This is your cruise. Yes, people propose on this cruise. A lot.

$58 Adult (18+)

$38 Youth (5-17)

Fleet Week_edited_edited.jpg

Specialty Cruises

Fireworks

4th of July Fireworks Cruise

 More information coming soon!

Happiest Hour on the Bay

Join us on our 5:30pm Golden Gate Bay Cruise for a 60-minute sightseeing tour of San Francisco Bay and enjoy happy hour pricing on cocktails, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.

Best of Fisherman's Wharf Combo Package

A Big Bus hop on hop off bus in front of the iconic Fisherman's Wharf crab wheel.

Golden Gate Bay Cruise + Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour + SkyStar Wheel Fisherman's Wharf

Our Best of Fisherman's Wharf Combo package combines three must-see attractions into one convenient, all-inclusive experience, saving you time and money while ensuring you see the best of what Fisherman's Wharf has to offer. Perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned visitors alike, this package guarantees a day of excitement, discovery, and unforgettable memories in San Francisco's most iconic neighborhood.

Adult (13+): $108 Youth (3-12): $89

Under 3 Free

Land Tours and Local Attractions

A Big Bus hop on hop off bus in front of the iconic Fisherman's Wharf crab wheel.

Golden Gate Bay Cruise + Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Fancy a little bus ride with your Bay Cruise?  Discover the most iconic sights of San Francisco on a hop-on, hop-off tour. Sit back and relax in the comfort of one of our open-top buses, as an entertaining audio guide tells you about the city’s unique history.

SkyStar Wheel Fisherman's Wharf

Add a ride on San Francisco's newest crown jewel...SkyStar Wheel to any of your cruises with us!

You'll leave your heart in San Francisco after a ride on the City's first waterfront observation wheel! Standing over 150 feet tall, SkyStar offers spectacular views of San Francisco and its Bay.

What Makes Us Different

1906 photo of two men in front of a tall ship in San Francisco Bay

Family Owned and Operated for over 130 years

Locally owned and operated for more than 130 years in San Francisco, Red and White Fleet is an authentic, original piece of San Francisco History and a proud certified San Francisco Legacy Business.

Hybrid Electric Vessel, Enhydra on San Francisco Bay

Clean, Safe, High Quality Vessels

We take A LOT of pride in our vessels, keeping them clean, safe and in top operating condition at all times. Come see for yourself. 

Red and White Fleet crew welcoming guests onboard Enhydra

The Best People Provide the Best Experience

Our staff is the best on the Bay. Yeah, we're biased. But EVERYONE on our team is focused on giving you the best experience when you sail with us. 

California Green Business Logo

We Walk the Sustainability Talk

We are pioneers in adopting hybrid electric technology on the water. We've been running bio-diesel for years. All our silverware and paper are biodegradeable. And we're proud to be a certified San Francisco Green Business. 

Image of a headset and the words 16 languages

Award-winning, Multilingual Audio Tour

The only cruise with award winning, complimentary multilingual headphone audio in 16 languages. 

No Hidden Fees Image

No Service Fees

The price on our website is the price you pay. No murky "service fees" or additional charges

Founded in 1892, the historic Red and White is legendary for its premiere San Francisco cruises. As a local, family owned business Red and White is committed to the environmental sustainability of San Francisco Bay and community education.

In 1892, seventeen-year-old Thomas Crowley launched the first of many companies which would one day be a fixture of the San Francisco Bay. Using $80 he had saved, he purchased a used Whitehall rowboat, and started a business supplying the ships at anchor in the Bay. His inaugural boat was just eighteen feet long and  five feet wide, and he rowed it alone through the waters of the Bay transporting both goods and passengers at a time when no bridges connected the city to the other parts of the Bay.

A 1939 harbor cruise in front of the San Francisco bay bridge.

What our customers are saying...
We are proud to be a part of the following organizations:

California Green Business Logo

golden bay tours

Availability

Farewell spit tour.

New Zealand South Island logo.

Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Golden Bay Beaches

We have spent a lot of time exploring Golden Bay over the past few years. It’s one of our favourite areas in New Zealand. If you’re dreaming of sun-kissed shores and turquoise waters, the pristine beaches of Golden Bay in the Nelson Tasman region are the best in the South Island. Uncover the hidden gems and find your perfect beach as we explore the best Golden Bay beaches.

The best Golden Bay beaches with calm blue water and lined with lush bush.

Table of Contents

Getting to golden bay.

Golden Bay is nestled at the northwestern tip of the South Island in the Nelson Tasman Region. 

You can kick off your adventure by road, winding your way through scenic routes that showcase the region’s breathtaking landscapes. 

Alternatively, catch a quick regional flight to Takaka in Golden Bay and start your beachcombing expedition straightaway.

The Best Golden Bay Beaches

Pohara beach  golden bay.

A man in distance on Pohara Beach at low tide during sunset.

First on our list is Pohara Beach, a laid-back paradise with a local charm. 

With its flat, long beach, Pohara Beach is perfect for beach walks at low tide and for swimming at high tide. 

Feeling adventurous? Kayak your way around the bay for a unique perspective.

Our favourite and best beach in Golden Bay offers stunning panoramas of the coast and surrounding bushclad hillside as well as phenomenal sunsets.

An additional bonus at this beach is staying beachfront at Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, which offers a camping experience with all the modern conveniences such as kitchens, BBQs and a lounge room.

Pohara Beach is close to Pohara’s cafes and restaurants.

Additionally, Pohara to Takaka is only 9 minute’s drive.

Awesome Things to Do in Pohara, NZ

Bush and park reserve with sea views at Ligar Bay, one of the best Golden Bay beaches.

A few minute’s drive from Pohara Beach is Ligar Bay, a gem for nature enthusiasts and a favourite for swimming. The shallow beach makes it a great place to take young children. 

Moreover, the reserve at Ligar Bay is an ideal spot for picnics. We love having outdoor lunches with sea views at the beach.

Tata Beach  Golden Bay

Blue sky, golden sand and blue ocean at Tata Beach.

The next beach after Ligar Bay, Tata Beach, is a haven for sunseekers. Picture golden sands meeting crystal-clear waters. It’s perfect for a lazy day of sunbathing.

For those who prefer more activity, there is a boat ramp for boaties, and Golden Bay Kayaks are based here. They offer independent hire of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and guided tours.

Stick around for sunset, as Golden Bay beaches have some of the most stunning sunsets on the South Island. Also, if you stay till dusk, look out for penguins.

The bright blue water at Wainui Bay in Nelson Tasman region

For a touch of wilderness, keep driving along Abel Tasman Drive to the next beach at Wainui Bay. The scenic coastal drive is a Golden Bay highlight.

Wainu Bay, nestled in the Abel Tasman National Park, is the last stop at the end of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. 

The beach is framed by lush native forests, making it a captivating spot for a stroll. You might even encounter some native birdlife along the way.

For those who enjoy walking trails, the walk to Taupo Point offers an hour’s walk with epic coastal views and natural rock formations.

Additionally, the best waterfall in Golden Bay, Wainui Falls, is just a short drive from here.

New Zealand South Island Travel Insider Guide tip

Many Golden Bay beaches have extreme tidal ranges of several metres rise and fall daily. Be aware of this if taking a long beach walk during the incoming tide.

Totaranui Beach  

Totaranui Beach, a true jewel of Golden Bay, beckons with its expansive golden sands. 

Nestled within Abel Tasman National Park, it’s a gateway to the coastal trails and hidden coves of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. You can walk some of the track in either direction.

There is a campground for those who love getting off the beaten track, but bear in mind that there is limited data reception and no cafes/shops. 

For those who treasure remote places, this is one of the best beaches Golden Bay has.

Looking for short walks in Golden Bay? Read our story on the best short walks in Golden Bay .

Patons Rock  

View of sea and a wooden tabel at a Golden Bay beach.

In the other direction, head west to Patons Rock, which offers a safe and shallow beach with fine sand, making it an ideal swimming place.

The best thing we love about Patons Rock is the Patons Rock Reserve and its giant trees. They have picnic tables and benches among the trees, offering beautiful beach views. 

The beach boasts a 2.5-kilometre expanse with a breathtaking view of Golden Bay, making it a perfect spot for a long walk.

Patons Rock also has many holiday homes to rent, so you could easily base yourself there as a central point to explore Golden Bay. 

Patons Rock to Takaka is only a 9-minute drive. Collingwood to Patons Rock is a 16-minute drive.

Tukurua Beach 

Blue wooden tables with view to the calm sea and blue sky.

Another calm, isolated beach, Tukurua Beach, can only be accessed by staying at Golden Bay Holiday Park. 

The holiday park, with its own private beach, offers beachfront camping as well as cabins and villas for those who prefer luxury.

You can wake early to see the sunrise from the sea and experience the gorgeous colours of sunset at the end of the day. Besides, there are beach walks to enjoy the beauty of nature.

For those not staying at the holiday park, you can access the adjoining beach, Parapara Beach Golden Bay, off Parapara Beach Road.

Milnthorpe Beach Golden Bay

golden bay tours

The beach at Milnthorpe provides a deserted island feeling. It’s another of our favourite Golden Bay beaches. 

The best part is where the Parapara Inlet meets the sea; there’s a cool concrete walkway that you can access at low tide that takes you to the beach.

Milnthorpe Beach has trails along the beach through regenerated forest. However, the main attraction of Milnthorpe is the Milnthorpe Park & Scenic Reserve, with its network of walking trails ranging from a few minutes to 3 hours. 

Collingwood Beach

Driftwood on the beach at Collingwood Beach

History buffs, this one’s for you. Collingwood Beach not only offers a relaxing escape but also a glimpse into the region’s past. 

Collingwood Beach is a perfect choice for those who want all the facilities, such as pubs, restaurants and galleries nearby.

You can explore remnants of the gold rush in the two museums, browse the shops and galleries, and have lunch at one of the cafes or the waterfront pub.

Collingwood Beach is just minutes from the village centre and offers epic coastline views framed by immense mountains. It’s also a great place to throw a fishing line or take a stroll on the beach.

For those who want to stay awhile, there are beach houses for rent (some adjacent to the beach), or there are motels.

The Collingwood Holiday Park, situated along the Aorere River and Collingwood Beach, offers phenomenal water views of the Aorere River mouth, Kahurangi National Park, and Farewell Spit. They offer waterfront camping sites and basic cabins.

Farewell Spit 

Rocky outcrop and beach at Fossil Point at Cape Farewell.

Farewell Spit, located at the westernmost point of Golden Bay, is the world’s longest natural sandbar.

Spend the day bird watching at one of New Zealand’s most important bird sanctuaries and looking out for penguins and seals. 

Farewell Spit has many walking trails ranging from minutes to hours. However, visitors are only permitted to explore the first four kilometres of Farewell Spit independently. The best way to experience the entire length of the spit is on a 4WD safari. 

If you’re looking for a fun short walk in Golden Bay, check out the Puponga farm trail to Fossil Point (on the West Coast). It’s a 30-minute, one-way walk through a mix of farmland and bush leading to the wild coast. The rocks have fossils embedded, so it’s pretty cool to check out.

Wharariki Beach  Golden Bay

Female walking on sand dunes at Wharariki Beach, Golden Bay.

Saving the best for last, Wharariki Beach is a must-visit. Many visitors consider it the best beach Golden Bay offers. 

Towering rock formations and vast stretches of sand make it a photographer’s dream. 

Explore the famous Archway Islands (try to get there at low tide) for a truly epic experience on your Golden Bay beach tour.

You need to walk along a 20-minute trail to visit this beach. However, the walk, which starts through paddocks and along a bushy hillside track, takes you through some stunning scenery to the remote Wharariki Beach.

Wharariki Beach is known for its rugged coastline and sand dunes, with wild winds and waves that have sculpted the rocks and cliffs over time.

The area is also well known for its seal population, and if you are lucky, you may see them sunning on the beach rocks.

This beach has epic views and wild surf; your Instagram will love the photos. However, it is not safe to swim!

Experience the Best Beaches in Golden Bay   

So there you have it, beach enthusiasts! Golden Bay’s beaches offer diverse experiences, from tranquil sunbathing to adventurous explorations. If you love chasing the sun and exploring beaches as much as we do, let the Golden Bay beaches NZ adventure begin! 

We think you may be interested in reading

The Best Nelson Tasman Activities & Attractions Best Things To Do In Golden Bay New Zealand Top 3 Golden Bay Camping Grounds with water views

Sharing is caring!

Similar Posts

Top 3 Golden Bay Camping Grounds with water views

Top 3 Golden Bay Camping Grounds with water views

Golden Bay, one of the most gorgeous regions in New Zealand’s South Island, is a natural haven that offers a perfect camping getaway. These past four years, we have visited the area eight times! We love Golden Bay, and we love exploring the campgrounds. This article shares our top 3 Golden Bay camping grounds with…

The Best Nelson Tasman Activities & Attractions 

The Best Nelson Tasman Activities & Attractions 

The Nelson Tasman region offers some of the most sensational coastal landscapes you will see in New Zealand’s South Island. With its charming towns and overload of outdoor adventures, Nelson Tasman is an unbeatable holiday destination. It’s also one of our favourite areas in New Zealand. So keep reading, and we will share with you…

Chasing NZ Waterfalls: The 7 Best South Island Waterfalls

Chasing NZ Waterfalls: The 7 Best South Island Waterfalls

When it comes to untouched beauty, few places in the world can rival the captivating landscapes of New Zealand. Among its many wonders, the cascading waterfalls in New Zealand South Island stand out as some of the most awe-inspiring attractions. We are constantly chasing waterfalls and are on a mission to discover these hidden South…

Truman Track Punakaiki NZ: A Jaw-Dropping West Coast Walk

Truman Track Punakaiki NZ: A Jaw-Dropping West Coast Walk

If there’s one place that shows off the untouched allure of New Zealand’s wilderness, it’s Truman Track. This West Coast short walk, not far from Punakaiki, ranks as one of our favourite short walks on the South Island of New Zealand. The easy walk is a mouth-dropping experience, from the lush subtropical rainforest to the…

Awesome Things to Do in Pohara, NZ

Pohara is a beloved holiday destination for many New Zealanders due to its beautiful beachside location. However, many international tourists have yet to discover this hidden Golden Bay paradise. Nestled on the gorgeous shores of New Zealand’s South Island, with its pristine golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking natural surroundings, this enchanting destination offers a…

Discover The 24 Best Things To Do In Golden Bay New Zealand

Discover The 24 Best Things To Do In Golden Bay New Zealand

Welcome to New Zealand’s Golden Bay. This hidden paradise on the northwestern tip of New Zealand South Island is one of our favourite areas in New Zealand. With its dazzling landscapes and vibrant arts scene, Golden Bay is a haven for nature lovers, creative souls, and tranquillity seekers. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are waterfalls, springs,…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Skip to content

Phone: 03 442 5877 or from overseas call: +64 3 442 5877

  • Autumn  /  6:59pm
  • AUD CAD EUR GBP JPY NZD USD

Destinations

Experiences, help & info.

  • 03 442 5877 within NZ
  • +64 3 442 5877 from overseas
  • Golden Bay Activities

Golden Bay & Farewell Spit Tours

Golden Bay & Farewell Spit Tours

Quality Experiences

Booking flexibility, nz owned & operated, friendly support humans.

All Golden Bay Experiences Family Friendly Activities Half Day Tours Kayaking Wildlife Tours

At the top of New Zealand's South Island, Golden Bay is a popular destination for outdoor activities, exploring sandy beaches and visiting natural attractions. There are plenty of Golden Bay activities on offer to experience this area of natural beauty. Join a horse riding tour on the famous Wharariki Beach or go kayaking in the secluded northern end of Abel Tasman National Park.

  • Displaying 4 results

Kayaking - Full Day Freedom Kayak Golden Bay

Explore the quiet northern end of Abel Tasman on a full day freedom kayak tour from Tata Beach in Golden Bay. Summer only.

Kayaking - Half Day Guided Kayak Tour Golden Bay

Discover the secluded northern end of Abel Tasman National Park on a half day guided kayaking tour with Golden Bay Kayaks. Summer only.

Kayaking - Half Day Freedom Kayak Golden Bay

Experience a taste of Abel Tasman National Park on a half day freedom kayak with Golden Bay Kayaks. Summer only

Kayaking - Private Guided Eco Tour Golden Bay

Kayak the northern end of Abel Tasman on a private eco tour with Golden Bay Kayaks, including wildlife spotting, rock formations and beautiful scenery

Golden Bay - Golden Beaches - Alpine Valleys

Golden Bay is one of New Zealand's most diverse and appealing holiday destinations. Imagine a region with endless variety, where golden beaches, alpine valleys and tranquil fishing rivers share a close proximity with the sea. Breathtaking scenery, arts and crafts, sporting activities. There's something for everyone. Golden Bay is nestled into the South Island's north-west corner. A chain of steep and rugged mountains cuts its fertile river plains and valleys from the rest of the island. Unless you're a migrating whale, you don't go past Golden Bay on your way to anywhere.

93% of new customers that used Everything New Zealand to provide advice and securely book their NZ activities have let us know they've had a good or excellent experience with us. Thank you .

  • Read Reviews
  • Most Popular
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Accommodation

North Island

  • Bay of Islands
  • Poor Knights Islands
  • Tongariro National Park

South Island

  • Abel Tasman
  • Christchurch
  • Doubtful Sound
  • Fox Glacier
  • Franz Josef
  • Hanmer Springs
  • Lake Tekapo
  • Milford Sound
  • Stewart Island
  • Action Flights
  • Adventure Activity Combos
  • Bungy Jumping
  • Canyon Swing
  • Climbing & Caving
  • Hang Gliding
  • Mountain Biking
  • Paragliding
  • Quad Biking
  • Ski & Snow
  • Surfing & Sledging

Sightseeing

  • Attractions
  • Cycling Tours
  • Family Friendly Activities
  • Fiordland National Park
  • Food & Wine Tasting Tours
  • Glow Worm Tours
  • Half Day Tours
  • Hiking Tours & Guided Walks
  • Historical Tours
  • Lord of the Rings
  • Night Activities
  • Overnight & Multi Day Tours
  • Segway Tours
  • Sightseeing Combos
  • TV & Movie Tours
  • Wet Weather Activities
  • Wildlife Tours
  • Helicopter Flights
  • Hot Air Ballooning
  • Parasailing
  • Scenic Plane Flights
  • Horse Riding
  • Maori Cultural Experiences
  • Offroad & 4WD
  • Target Shooting
  • Trike Tours
  • Dolphin Swim
  • Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

Food & Wine

  • Dining Experiences
  • Massage & Day Spa
  • Whale Watching
  • Group Bookings
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Who Are We?

  • Operator Sign-up
  • Australian Activities

Other Stuff

  • Currency Converter
  • Weather Forecast

Nelson Tasman Logo

Top 10 Things To Do In Takaka & Golden Bay

  • Visit Nelson Tasman
  • Destinations

Golden Bay & Takaka

  • Top 10 - Takaka & Golden Bay

golden bay tours

1. Journey the length of Farewell Spit

At a whopping 34km long, one of the largest natural sandspits in the world has formed at the top of the South Island, the result of continuous coastal erosion and oceanic drift from the West. The Spit forms the ‘birds eye view’ of  Golden Bay  into the shape of New Zealand’s very own national bird - the kiwi - and it is home to over 90 wetland and migratory bird species of its own... how’s that for irony? As a dedicated wetland of international importance, Farewell Spit is what we like to call paradise for nature lovers, and is home to gannets, godwits, knots, and waders, as well as playful seal pups and cheeky oyster-catchers. A trip to the Spit with  Farewell Spit Tours  just wouldn’t be complete without a leisurely climb to the crest of the undulating sand dunes, before a speedy descent to the base, racing against the wind-wrought ripples that lay before you.

Te Waikoropupu Springs 15mb7

2. Visit Te Waikoropupū Springs

Just a short distance from the  Takaka  township, you’ll find the extraordinary  Te Waikoropupū Springs . Holding the title as the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, and the largest coldwater springs in the Southern Hemisphere, this wahi tapu (sacred place) is considered a taonga (treasure) by local Māori, and is held in high cultural and spiritual regard. Although you cannot swim in the springs, or even so much as glide your finger across the surface, it is easy to appreciate its allure when it contains some of the clearest water ever measured. A vibrant community of eels and native fish can be seen darting around underneath the bubbling surface, and the senses are awakened with the sweet sound of birdsong emerging from the depths of the manuka and kanuka forest.

golden bay tours

3. Dine like the locals

If there's one thing you'll find in Golden Bay it's good hearty food and a laid-back dining experience. The Mussel Inn is a favourite with the locals, k nown for their freshly steamed mussels and quirky but relaxed vibe. The internationally famous live music venue hosts a full and vibrant entertainment calendar, and has everything you need for a fun and authentic Golden Bay experience; from a large open fire for those cold winter nights, to sturdy tables for dancing on, and a comprehensive selection of homemade beverages. Other popular dining destinations include Roots Bar in Takaka, Old School Cafe in Collingwood and Toto's Pizzeria in Wainui. There are also plenty of great distilleries in the area that are well worth checking out. 

Wainui Falls taken by Ryan Domenico credit www.nelsontasman.nz

4. Take a short stroll

Stunning natural landscapes abound in Golden Bay, so you'll want to allow enough time to explore some of these scenic locations. The picture perfect Wainui Falls   can be reached with a short one-hour return walk through lush native bush. Shaded by overhanging nikau palms, the stroll along the banks of the flowing Wainui River is both a relaxing and mesmerising experience, until your senses are awakened by the thundering sound of the falls as they cascade down granite bedrock into the deep blue pool below, curtained in a halo of spray. Labyrinth Rocks Park and The Grove Scenic Reserve offer a spectacular experience as you walk through limestone outcrops, with the lookout from The Grove nothing short of extraordinary and the magical shapes, faces and little figurines discoverable at Labyrinth Rocks sure to ignite the imagination of curious little ones. 

Photo: Ryan Domenico

golden bay tours

5. Kayak around pristine, quiet bays

Exploring the extraordinary coastline by kayak is as good as you imagined, but better with Golden Bay Kayaks . The only company operating guided tours into the Abel Tasman National Park from the North, they are a small family-focused company operating from the beautiful Tata Beach . Slip straight into the clear waters, paddle around the Tata Islands, watch the seals frolicking in the rock-pools and enjoy the peace and quiet of this pristine paradise. Everyone's appetite for kayaking is catered for whether you are looking for a morning of stories with friendly, local guides or to share special times with your family. You may want to treat yourself with a Bespoke Eco Private Tour or take your time and explore the entire length of the Abel Tasman National Park on a multi-day trip.

Photo by Kane Hartill

Kane Hartill 2

6. Catch your dinner at Anatoki Salmon

If you enjoy fresh fish, a visit to  Anatoki Salmon  for an authentic and fun family experience will take the meaning of ‘fresh’ to a whole new level. Feel the thrill of catching your own dinner as you spend the afternoon on the banks of the Anatoki River, casting your rod into waters abundant with premium Chinook salmon. Watch as they back-flip out of the water, wiggle their tails on the surface and tease your line with cautious nibbles. Then, choose a picnic spot along the picturesque riverbank to eat your catch, smoked or raw, or take it home with you for a classic kiwi feed, BBQ style. 

golden bay tours

7. See Wharariki Beach

The wonderful, windswept Wharariki Beach rivals the recognised wonders of the world, and it’s easy to see why. A spectacularly rugged coastline and a scattering of arches, caves and sand dunes have formed as a result of its exposed location on the wild northwest of the South Island, and you’ll regularly see seal pups bounding along the sand and twirling playfully in the rockpools. It's just a short 20-minute walk through undulating farmland, manuka groves and coastal forest to the beach, or you could take a longer stroll along the Puponga Hilltop Track if you want to see other gems such as Cape Farewell and the Pillar Point Lighthouse. Top tip: explore the hidden gems of Wharariki on  horseback , cantering across the sand and crossing over the lush green hills of the Puponga Farm park. 

Farewell Spit credit Golden Bay Air2

8. Take a scenic flight

Golden Bay is undoubtedly home to some of New Zealand's most scenic locations, from the majestic sand dunes of Farewell Spit to the crystal-clear springs at Te Waikoropupū Springs and the wild, windswept Wharariki Beach . If you're short on time, or you just want to see these landscapes in all their glory, a scenic flight to see them from above is a truly unforgettable experience. Savour the sights as you trace the sheltered shortline, the dunes and lakes and the rugged mountain landscapes on a scenic flight or helicopter trip , combining a Golden Bay tour with one of the Abel Tasman or Kahurangi National Parks if you wish.

Photo: Golden Bay Air

golden bay tours

9. Go on a caving adventure

From the curious caver right through to the advanced abseiler, Golden Bay has an array of exciting cave systems to explore. A guided tour of  Ngarua Caves  at the summit of Takaka Hill promises a breathtaking experience for the whole family, with a plethora of stalagmites and stalagtites protruding from the cavernous surroundings like shark teeth. For those with a reasonable level of fitness,  Rawhiti Cave  is what we like to call ‘geological eye candy’ and a two-hour return walk will take you to the most diverse limestone entrance and twilight zone flora of any cave in New Zealand, adorned with green and pink plants, moss, algae and stunning phytokarst formations. Last but not least,  Harwoods Hole , an  iconic film location  from the Lord of the Rings and the deepest vertical shaft in New Zealand (176m) is located in the Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve, though there are no barriers and it is very dangerous to approach the edge, so we recommend keeping the children away from this one. 

NRDA Golden Bay 30

10. Explore the arty township

Sometimes we wonder if there’s something magical in the air in  Takaka & Golden Bay , or if the diverse community of  artists and artisans  who choose to call this place home is just a coincidence. The vibrant township, which is adorned with colourful murals, oozes an undeniable passion for the arts; with jewellery stores, boutique stalls, art galleries and glassblowing studios occupying the main drag, with talented artisans selling handcrafted chocolates and distilled beverages. Creativity and character is deeply rooted in the Golden Bay community, and the Saturday Village Market is a true showcase of this, bringing locals and visitors together in a celebration of art and wonder. 

You Might Also Like...

Top 10 - kahurangi national park, top 10 - abel tasman national park, beach & water activities.

logo

golden bay tour logo

YURT DIŞI TURLARI

  • Amerika & Kanada Turları
  • Avustralya & Yeni Zelanda
  • Avrupa & Balkanlar & Adriyatik
  • Güneydoğu Asya Turları
  • Hindistan Alt Kıtası Turları
  • Kafkaslar & Orta Asya Turları

Kuzey Afrika & Orta Doğu

  • Kuzey Avrupa & Baltıklar Turları
  • Orta & Güney Afrika Turları

Gemi

GEMİ TURLARI

  • Türkiye Kalkışlı Turlar
  • İzmir'den Direkt Uçuş
  • Akdeniz & Ege & Karadeniz
  • Kuzey Avrupa & Britanya
  • Karayipler & Bermuda & Panama Kanalı
  • Güney Amerika & Antarktika
  • Egzotikler & Arap Yarımadası
  • Uzakdoğu & Asya

Nehir

NEHİR TURLARI

  • Ren & Mosel Nehirleri
  • Rhone & Saone Nehirleri

Seine Nehri

  • Douro Nehri
  • Volga Nehri

Yurtiçi

YURT İÇİ TURLARI

kampanya ikon

Kuzey Afrika & Orta Doğu Turları

Antarktika

"Seine Nehri" Gemi Turları

ren mosel

YURT İÇİ TURLAR

AmaWaterways

VİDEO GALERİ

miles1

Kampanyalarımızdan ilk siz haberdar olun!

Telefon icon

Bize Ulaşın

tursablogo

292990883_10158349099056415_9029301811844294756_n.jpg

The Buzzing Place to Be

As a responsible, eco-friendly business, we’re committed to keeping bees in their natural habitat in a local and sustainable way. Check out the rest of our site to learn about our initiatives and our products.

Swarm of Bees

Lets Dive Into The Hive  

A hive experience for all.

Our hive tours are perfect for the bee lover and curious. Tours are designed to give you a truly hands-on honey bee experience. We offer: adult/children-only tours, family friendly for all, ages 4 and up. We also offer tours to groups, such as schools, scouts etc. We provide a hands­-on experience in an active

live beehive. You will learn about the life cycle, jobs and history of the honey bee and the benefits of honey. Your local tour guide and resident beekeeper, will have you suiting up in protective gear and explaining the tools they use in the bee yard. You will be getting up close and personal with many honey bees.

​Our tours are perfect for team building, or an adventure with friends and family! Tours are offered from Spring to August.

Interested in gifting a tour to someone during our off-season. Consider purchasing a gift certificate & book the tour during the season.

cartoon bee_edited_edited.png

Golden Bay Honey and Beehive Tours

Shore Tours

  • Private Tours

We designed our private tours to help you make the most of your time and to show you as many attractions as possible that adorn our beautiful country

Perast and Risan – Private tour to explore long Maritime history

Budva – private tour to vibrant and modern metropole, kotor – budva – recommended for cruise travelers, kotor and perast – designed especially for those who are visiting only for a few hours, njegusi village – visit to local home, perast and budva – discover our lady of the rocks manmade island and charming budva.

Music | 5 newly announced big concert tours heading for…

Share this:.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Today's e-Edition

Things To Do

  • Food & Drink
  • Celebrities
  • Pets & Animals
  • Event Calendar

Breaking News

Music | dungeness crab season in bay area, central coast will come to an early end, music | 5 newly announced big concert tours heading for bay area this year, gojira is coming to shoreline amphitheatre.

Guitarist and vocalist Joe Duplantier, with the band Gojira, performs at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif., on Friday, July 26, 2019.  (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

The onslaught of new concert tour announcements just keeps right on coming. Here are five recently announced big treks with Bay Area stops:

Korn, Gojira

Korn fans will be excited to see the hard-rock headliner back in action, venturing out on the road for a 25-date tour.

And while it will indeed be cool to see the platinum-selling hard rock group in concert, we’re even more excited about one of the support acts — Gojira, which ranks as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Canadian heavy metal group Spiritbox is also on the bill.

The tour stops at Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View on Oct. 6.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. March 29, livenation.com. There is also a Citi card presale that is underway through 10 p.m. March 28, citientertainment.com .

Twenty One Pilots

The Grammy-winning modern rock duo have announced dates for the massive Clancy World Tour, which kicks off Aug. 15 in Denver and includes a date in the Bay Area — Aug. 24 at Oakland Arena.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. April 5, www.twentyonepilots.com/tour . There is also a fan presale that begins April 2.

The tour supports the forthcoming album “Clancy,” which is due out May 17.

XSCAPE, SWV

The two popular acts are joining forces for the 30-city Queens of R&B Tour. Mýa, Total and 702 are the support acts for this road show.

“The Queens Of R&B Tour is a testament to the power of what can be accomplished when women come together with respect, admiration and undeniable talent,” according to a news release. “It is a celebration of passion, power, resilience and unstoppable ability to exceed expectations.”

The trek kicks off on June 27 at Toyota Pavilion at Concord.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. March 29, livenation.com . There is also a Citi card presale, citientertainment.com .

The R&B star is heading out on the Magic Hour Tour, which is her first headlining trek in five years.

The tour includes a stop at Chase Center in San Francisco on Aug. 5.

Support acts include Coi Leray, Tink, Umi and Kiana Lede.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. March 29, jheneaiko.com .

Aiko also performs at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in April.

TobyMac, MercyMe, Zach Williams

The three popular contemporary Christian music (CCM) acts are heading out on tour together.

TobyMac, MercyMe and Zach Williams — who also toured together in 2023 — perform Nov. 23 at Oakland Arena.

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. (PT) April 4, awakeningevents.com/tobymercymezach .

  • Report an error
  • Policies and Standards

More in Music

Get tickets for Rod Stewart, Natalie Merchant, Parliament-Funkadelic, Chelsea Handler, Harry Connick, Jr. & more at Mountain Winery in Saratoga.

Music | Exclusive: Mountain Winery announces epic concert lineup for 2024

Got your weekend plans? We have some nifty ideas, from great shows and concerts to delicious recipes. And chocolate!

Entertainment | 7 amazing Bay Area things to do this weekend

From ODC to The Boss to Yo-Yo Ma and a Betty Reid Soskin musical, there is a lot to see and do in the Bay Area this weekend.

Music | Bay Area arts: 7 cool shows to see this weekend and beyond

New releases include "Rockmaker" by The Dandy Warhols, "Heaven's Frequency" by Meredith Andrews and "Alice Coltrane: The Carnegie Hall Concert."

Music | New music: The Dandy Warhols still rule OK on latest album ‘Rockmaker’

IMAGES

  1. Golden Bay

    golden bay tours

  2. Golden Bay Holidays 2021/2022

    golden bay tours

  3. How to Get to Golden Bay

    golden bay tours

  4. Best things to do in Golden Bay, New Zealand

    golden bay tours

  5. Golden Bay Walks, Experiences and Activities

    golden bay tours

  6. Best things to do in Golden Bay, New Zealand

    golden bay tours

COMMENTS

  1. Golden Bay

    By Nelson Regional Development Agency. Before you lay eyes on Golden Bay, you'll enjoy an amazingly scenic road journey over the Takaka Hill, known also as 'marble mountain'. There are signposted lookouts along the way and the subterranean marvels of Harwoods Hole (176 metres deep) and the Ngarua Caves shouldn't be missed.

  2. The Complete Guide to Visiting New Zealand's Golden Bay

    Golden Bay is bordered in the east by the Abel Tasman National Park, on the south by the Kahurangi National Park, and on the west by the North West Nelson Conservation Park. These parks contain some of New Zealand's best-loved long-distance treks, including the Abel Tasman Coast Track (3-5 days) and the Heaphy Track (4-6 days) through the ...

  3. THE 5 BEST Golden Bay Tours & Excursions

    Experience the speed on his speedboat, swim in the clearest sea, and capture unforgettable photos in the caves. 5. Kahurangi Guided Walks. 34. Walking Tours • Eco Tours. By SusanE2763. Jenni and her merry crew made the 6 day guided tramp of the Heaphy Trail a great experience. 6. Wildcat Charters.

  4. Visit Golden Bay

    Unique, isolated & utterly charming, Golden Bay is separated from the rest of New Zealand by Takaka Hill which can cause problems for anybody susceptible to carsickness. Whatever the temporary discomfort, the trip to Golden Bay is always worth it. Full of lush green valleys, dairy farms, and long sweeping bays, the natural environment is stunning.

  5. Golden Bay & Marlborough 7 Days NZD

    7 days / 6 nights. The Golden Bay & Marlborough Tour is the best way to experience the top of the South Island. Enjoy two 2 night stays (in Golden Bay and Blenheim) and leisurely pace to the travel. The tour includes a full day tour out on Farewell Spit and Cape Farewll, a cruise Tasman Bay, visit the spectacular Omaka Aviation Museum, and ...

  6. Farewell Spit Eco Tours

    Farewell Spit Eco Tours began in 1946 as the mail delivery to the lighthouse keepers on Farewell spit. Farewell Spit is a nature reserve and bird sanctuary. Summer home to wading birds from the Arctic and also a growing Gannet colony near the end. Our hand picked local guides love to share their knowledge with people from all over the world ...

  7. THE BEST Golden Bay Tours & Trips

    Golden Bay Tours. On the other side of Takaka Hill is Golden Bay, a part of the Nelson region that is further off the beaten track, but very much worth the journey. Small towns offer a mix of quirky cafés and craft shops, and adventure activities include 4WD trips to Farewell Spit, a nature reserve and the world's longest sandbar. ...

  8. Golden Bay in a Day

    Our Golden Bay In A Day tour offers travelers the opportunity to experience the tremendous natural beauty of some of the region's most popular attractions, including the stunning Golden Bay. The tour begins with an 8:30 AM departure from Nelson and will pass by the Waimea Plains and the historic Upper Moutere before continuing on to Takaka Hill ...

  9. Golden Bay In A Day Tour

    Golden Bay In A Day Tour. Duration: 9 hours Departure: 8:30 am Food: Lunch included Walking time: 2 -3hrs in segments Fitness level: Easy/average. *Please note: Golden Bay in a Day and Wild NorthWest can be combined into a 2 day 1 night stopover. Details and price on application. Please note: all scheduled tours can be converted into an ...

  10. Golden Bay New Zealand Travel Planning

    Golden Bay in a Day Tour. Travel over the productive Waimea Plains, through the historic Upper Moutere and up Takaka Hill. The first short walk is through ancient granite and marble rock outcrops and into a quaint forest remnant for a spectacular view back towards Nelson. The taonga, Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest freshwater springs in ...

  11. Farewell Spit Tours

    Lighthouse tours, eco tours to view the unique bird life. Menu. Home About Us Our Tours Our Tours; Farewell Spit Tour ; Gannet Colony Tour ; Wader Watch Tour ... Farewell Spit Tours 6 Tasman Street Collingwood, Golden Bay, New Zealand. Phone: +64 3 524 8257 Call Toll Free: 0800 808 257 E-mail: [email protected]. Our Tours.

  12. 15 of the Best Things to Do in Golden Bay

    Other things to do in Golden Bay include golf, watersports, walks (heaps of walks I haven't mentioned here) and cycling. There are also some interesting pockets of history to explore and some very windswept and lonely stretches of beach. Golden Bay is a special region of the South Island — a compact little area full of natural beauty and so ...

  13. Golden Bay Geological Gems & Farewell Spit Tour

    Discover Golden Bay in more depth, from mountain top glacial lakes with pristine beech forests, meander through the amazing karst limestone rocks in a natural geological wonderland, to hearing the local history of bygone days of mineral mines, shipping routes and hear of the characters who forged out a living in this wonderland of hidden gems.

  14. THE 5 BEST Golden Bay Tours & Excursions

    Experience the speed on his speedboat, swim in the clearest sea, and capture unforgettable photos in the caves. 5. Kahurangi Guided Walks. 34. Walking Tours • Eco Tours. By SusanE2763. Jenni and her merry crew made the 6 day guided tramp of the Heaphy Trail a great experience. 6. Wildcat Charters.

  15. Farewell Spit Eco Tours, Golden Bay, New Zealand

    Farewell Spit Eco Tours, located in Collingwood, New Zealand have been operating on Farewell Spit for over 60 years. ... Farewell Spit Tours 6 Tasman Street Collingwood, Golden Bay, New Zealand. Phone: +64 3 524 8257 Call Toll Free: 0800 808 257 E-mail: [email protected]. Our Tours. Farewell Spit Tour Gannet Colony Tour

  16. Red and White Fleet

    Join us on our 5:30pm Golden Gate Bay Cruise for a 60-minute sightseeing tour of San Francisco Bay and enjoy happy hour pricing on cocktails, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. ... Golden Gate Bay Cruise + Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour + SkyStar Wheel Fisherman's Wharf. Our Best of Fisherman's Wharf Combo package combines three must-see ...

  17. Online Bookings for Farewell Spit Tours, Golden Bay

    Farewell Spit Tour. Available From. Tue 27th Feb 2024. Wed 28th Feb 2024. Thu 29th Feb 2024. 2:30pm. Closed.

  18. Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Golden Bay Beaches

    For those who prefer more activity, there is a boat ramp for boaties, and Golden Bay Kayaks are based here. They offer independent hire of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and guided tours. Stick around for sunset, as Golden Bay beaches have some of the most stunning sunsets on the South Island. Also, if you stay till dusk, look out for penguins.

  19. Things to do in Golden Bay

    Half Day Tours. Kayaking. Wildlife Tours. At the top of New Zealand's South Island, Golden Bay is a popular destination for outdoor activities, exploring sandy beaches and visiting natural attractions. There are plenty of Golden Bay activities on offer to experience this area of natural beauty. Join a horse riding tour on the famous Wharariki ...

  20. Top 10 Things To Do In Takaka & Golden Bay

    5. Kayak around pristine, quiet bays. Exploring the extraordinary coastline by kayak is as good as you imagined, but better with Golden Bay Kayaks.The only company operating guided tours into the Abel Tasman National Park from the North, they are a small family-focused company operating from the beautiful Tata Beach.Slip straight into the clear waters, paddle around the Tata Islands, watch the ...

  21. Golden Bay Tour Yurtdışı Balayı Turları Kara Gemi Cruise Turları

    Amerika, Brezilya, Arjantin, Şili, Peru, Meksika, Guatemala, Panama, Ekvator, Küba, Phuket turu kara gemi cruise turları yılbaşı, balayı ve bayram tur ...

  22. Home

    A hive experience for all. Our hive tours are perfect for the bee lover and curious. Tours are designed to give you a truly hands-on honey bee experience. We offer: adult/children-only tours, family friendly for all, ages 4 and up. We also offer tours to groups, such as schools, scouts etc. We provide a hands­-on experience in an active.

  23. Shore Tours

    Perast and Risan - Private tour to explore long Maritime history. From€ 35. Duration: 3h 30min. Perast is located at the heart of Boka Bay, 12 kilometers NW of Kotor. Remains of Neolit culture (3500 b.c.) were found in Perast which confirm its long history of existence.

  24. 5 newly announced big concert tours heading for Bay Area this year

    Twenty One Pilots. The Grammy-winning modern rock duo have announced dates for the massive Clancy World Tour, which kicks off Aug. 15 in Denver and includes a date in the Bay Area — Aug. 24 at ...