The first time I heard about Golden Bay was at a house party in Auckland.

A friend of a friend was visiting from Nelson — he had long hair and baggy pants, crude tattoos and disarming charm. Drawn to his novelty, we clustered around him and listened awed as he talked about the magical land of Golden Bay.

First, he said, you journey over a hill. The expansive views as you crest this hill smack you in the face and leave your jaw hanging open.

Then you’ll drive down into the lush lowlands of the area, he went on.

There’s a town full of art, and communes where hippies live in houses cobbled together from reclaimed wood and clay. There are rivers of water clearer than anything you’ve ever seen before, and people are barefoot, sometimes topless, always free.

His rhapsodising sold me. I went to Golden Bay and it was everything that was promised to me. I went back again a year later, and again after that.

Now I’m the one who talks about Golden Bay at parties, telling people about the crescent beaches and rolling hills interspersed with small towns where artistanal products and local creatives are celebrated.

Golden Bay is well worth visiting for incredible beaches, short coastal walks, and a bohemian, hippy vibe in Tākaka. Close to Nelson, Golden Bay is a great place to get off the beaten track while still seeing some of the South Island’s incredible natural highlights.

My best tips for visiting Golden Bay

Picking up a rental car in Nelson is the easiest way to get around Golden Bay (check prices on Discover Cars)
A campervan is also a good idea — there are some great campgrounds in Golden Bay, but note that freedom camping is limited once you’re over the Takaka Hill.
Fill up your petrol tank at the Allied petrol station in Riwaka. Gas in Golden Bay is more expensive and you’ll be doing a bit of driving, especially if you plan on heading out to Farewell Spit.
Golden Bay is all about nature and getting off the beaten track — you can expect the pace of life to be a bit slower here. It’s the right place for you if you love beaches, bush walks, and quiet life.

The best things to do in Golden Bay

If you’re thinking about visiting Golden Bay, stop considering and start planning. This is one of the most beautiful destinations in the South Island.

These are some of my favourite things to do in Golden Bay.

1. See incredibly clear, cold water at Te Waikoropupū Springs

Cost: Free
DOC walk description

Te Waikoropupū Springs discharge 14,000 litres of water per second, making this the largest freshwater spring in New Zealand.

The bright blue water bubbling out of the ground is some of clearest water in the whole country.

A 1 kilometre loop walk around the spring takes around 45 minutes, or longer if you get lulled into watching the spectacular water flowing out of the earth.

The walking trail is fully accessible for wheelchairs, buggies, and prams. It loops through the forest to a platform jutting out over the water.

The stunning natural beauty of this spring make it one of the most popular things to do in Golden Bay.

2. Go shopping in Tākaka

Tākaka, the main town in Golden Bay, has an artistic, bohemian vibe.

Along the main street you’ll find art galleries, small shops selling locally crafted jewellery and ceramics, and hippie clothing stores.

One of the best things to do in Tākaka is to stroll the main drag. Browsing the crafts and boutiques is a great way to spend an afternoon, and discover the local arts scene.

When you’ve had enough of shopping, you can stop into one of the town’s cosy cafes — my favourite is Wholemeal Cafe.

3. Swim in Paine’s Ford

One of my favourite swimming spots in Golden Bay is right outside of the Tākaka township.

At Paine’s (or Payne’s) Ford the river is a pristine bottle green, flowing between limestone bluffs in a remnant patch of forest.

The rocks around here form jagged islands in the middle of the river. You can climb up onto them for better views of the water below.

To find swimming spots, you can follow the Tramline Track, a lovely 30 minute walk that follows an old tramline.

You’ll see a few different swimming spots along this walk, so just stroll along until you find one that looks good to you.

5. Stop by Bacca Bakery for organic goodness

Bacca is a tiny bakery in the middle of nowhere. Or, more precisely, in Tukurua, Golden Bay.

A small, independent operation, Bacca Bakery specialises organic ingredients and New Zealand grown grains. The bakers themselves are proudly unpretentious, so the bakery has a wholesome, community and nature-oriented vibe.

Pick up a loaf of bread, indulge in a sourdough cinnamon roll, or treat yourself to a pain au choclat.

If you want a coffee, make sure you take your own cup.

Walk the Pupu Hydro Walkway

1 hour 50 minutes
DOC track info

This is a pretty short walk further along the same road where you’ll find the Te Waikoropupū Spring.

The track follows an old gold-mining water race, which has been reused for generating power.

After a short uphill climb, the track follows alongside the water on a narrow path fringed by bush.

It reminded me of the levadas in Madeira — a lush, unusual walk.

There are several picnic spots along the way, so take some snacks and enjoy the views.

6. Visit Wharariki Beach for stunning sunsets

Cost: Free
DOC walk details

Wharariki Beach is a remote beach on the northwestern tip of the South Island.

To reach the beach, you have to walk for 25 minutes across farmland, before emerging into the dunes.

Wharariki is famous for its epic sunsets, as a west facing beach, and for the drama of the Archway Islands jutting up from the waves just off the coast.

At sunset, these islands are silhouetted by the sun.

The beach itself is a huge expanse of sand, so you can spend several hours walking around here and admiring the scenery and looking for seals.

It’s not a safe swimming beach, and it’s often windy so not ideal for picnics, but you won’t be disappointed by a sunset walk out here.

7. Stop by the northernmost point of the South Island

DOC walk directions
1 hour from Takaka

Cape Farewell is famous for being the northernmost point of the South Island, but it’s worth visiting for the dramatic scenery as well.

After a short walk across sheep paddocks, you reach the coastal cliffs which plunge down into the ocean.

Walking tracks link Cape Farewell to Wharariki Beach and Farewell Spit walks, so you could spend several hours exploring this wind-swept coastline.

4. Hike in Kahurangi National Park

Kahurangi National Park sprawls across the mountain ranges behind Golden Bay.

Kahurangi might not have the golden beach glamour of Abel Tasman National Park, but it has epic hiking to some of the best mountain huts and peaks in New Zealand.

The premier wilderness walk in Kahurangi National Park is the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The Heaphy Track starts (or ends) in the hills behind Golden Bay, and crosses Kahurangi to emerge on the West Coast of the South Island.

There are a number of other walks in Kahurangi National Park that are well worth the trip.

If you have a 4wd, you can drive up to the Flora carpark and hike around Mount Arthur and the Tablelands, for incredible views of the whole region.

The Mount Arthur summit hike is a gorgeous route up to the top of Mt Arthur (1795 m), offering sweeping views.

Or, head up to Mount Owen, a beautiful two-day hike to the tallest mountain in Kahurangi National Park.

The Cobb River Valley is the starting point for a number of overnight walks.

Hike to Fenella Hut, the only hut in New Zealand to feature a toilet with a stained glass window.
Walk in to Sylvester Hut, an excellent hut for newer hikers or families.
Hike to Asbestos Hut, famous for once being the home of a pair of runaways.

5. Get a dose of nostalgia at the historic Langford Store

Location: 40 minutes from Takaka

Golden Bay is the home of whimsy, and the quirky, artsy personality of the region is on full display at the Langford Store.

The Historic Langford Store & Post Office is a little slice of history in Golden Bay.

The store has been open since 1928 and it lovingly pays homage to days gone by. Inside the store are shelves lined with retro and vintage homewares, along with treats like classic lollies and homemade jams.

It’s a great place to shop for a Kiwiana souvenir.

The Langford Store also serves coffee and tea, with home baked goods. Get the scones with jam and cream, and tea in bone china, for a real nostalgia hit.

The store is located on the quiet road leading to the Heaphy Track trailhead, so it’s the ideal spot to stop before or after a walk in Kahurangi National Park.

4. Dine like a local at The Mussel Inn

Location: 15 minutes from Takaka

Green-lipped mussels are an essential New Zealand delicacy, and one of the best places to try them is at the iconic Mussel Inn in Golden Bay.

The Mussel Inn was established 30 years ago, with a single-minded vision — the goal of creating a welcoming space for people to gather and enjoy good food and good music.

Today, The Mussel Inn is a stalwart of Golden Bay. Swinging by for a meal and music is one of the best things to do in Golden Bay, and a surefire way to experience local culture.

The pub is simple but cosy, the menu simple but delicious.

Feast on mussels and garlic bread, or enjoy dishes made with vegetables grown in their own garden, while you soak up the atmosphere and make plans to move to Golden Bay.

8. Walk to the weird Harwoods Hole

Cost: Free
Location: 1 hour from Takaka

Harwoods Hole is a colossal sinkhole that plunges 176 meters (600 feet) deep into the earth.

It’s the deepest vertical shaft in New Zealand, which is an odd title to claim.

The walking track to Harwood’s Hole is about 6 kilometres and takes around 1.5 hours return.

It’s a lovely walk through beech forest and past limestone rock formations that are characteristic of the area.

The hole itself is exactly that — a giant hole in the ground. You can’t see the bottom, and there are no barriers so don’t get too close trying.

9. Visit Dancing Sands Distillery

Cost: Free
Location: Centre of Takaka

Dancing Sands is a premium distillery producing gin that incorporates native New Zealand botanicals.

The distillery has a cellar door where you can drop in for free gin tastings. You can see the still and where the gin is made. This is a great way to learn more about how the gin is made, and get to try some of the gins if you’re interested in taking a bottle home with you.

The cellar door is located in the centre of Takaka and open from 10-4pm Monday – Saturday

10. The Grove Scenic Reserve

The Grove Scenic Reserve is typically recognized for its rich native flora, including impressive stands of mature beech and rimu trees.

11. Go camping in Abel Tasman National Park

Most people explore Abel Tasman National Park from Marahau, near Nelson.

This is the most popular starting point for the Abel Tasman Coast Track — the most popular route is from Marahau to Totaranui, from where most hikers catch a water taxi back to the start of the track.

This means that the last section of the Abel Tasman track, from Totaranui to Wainui, gets much fewer visitors.

This is my favourite part of Abel Tasman. The small campgrounds are more peaceful. I spent several nights camping in Mutton Cove and enjoyed walking sections of the Abel Tasman track from there.

It’s only a 2 hour walk from the Wainui carpark at the Golden Bay end of the track to Whariwharangi Bay, where there’s a historic DOC hut for overnight stays.

You can also easily do this walk as a day hike,

12. Get off the beaten track — drive down the Whanganui Inlet

It’s a stunning drive. The road weaves around the inlet.

The Whanganui Inlet is a picturesque and ecologically diverse estuary located in the northwest corner of the South Island of New Zealand, near Farewell Spit and Golden Bay. It's a unique and ecologically significant area, offering a variety of experiences for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Here's an overview of what you can expect at the Whanganui Inlet:

The Whanganui Inlet is known for its stunning natural beauty, characterized by serene estuarine waters, extensive tidal flats, lush coastal forests, and the backdrop of the Kahurangi National Park. The views are spectacular and offer excellent opportunities for photography.

The inlet is a haven for wildlife, including numerous bird species like oystercatchers, godwits, and herons. The tidal flats are rich in marine life, making it an important feeding ground for migratory and local bird species.

Where to stay in Golden Bay

In the centre of Takaka, you’ll find a number of hostels which are great if you’re looking for a budget place to stay. I’ve stayed in the YHA Golden Bay twice, and while a little run down it’s perfectly functional.

I have also parked my van at the freedom camp at the Anatoki Salmon carpark. You’ll need to be self-contained to park here, as there are no facilities, but it’s a quiet, green space. The Anatoki Salmon cafe is open from 9am, so you can pop in for your coffee to show your appreciation for the great parking spot.

See the council website for more information on freedom camping in the Tasman area.

Thanks for reading this far! I hope you found some inspiration for visiting Golden Bay.

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