The scenic and postcard-like Golden Bay or Mohua is a shallow parabolic-shaped bay located at the northwest end of New Zealand’s South Island. The picturesque region is New Zealand’s most diverse and appealing holiday travel destination, a vast haven on earth for nature lovers. Golden Bay lies northwest of Tasman Bay and Cook Strait. It is bordered by the ranges of the Kahurangi National Park and Abel Tasman National Park in Nelson, New Zealand.
This enormous, beautiful sandy bay is popular for its scallops, golden beaches, lush alpine valleys, and where serene fishing rivers abound. Golden Bay boasts of a breath taking landscape nestled in a chain of steep and rugged mountain ranges.
Travelers can explore different lovely places while in Golden Bay. One destination is Takaka Hill where you can experience a stomach-turning adventure. Along the way, you can pass by the scenic views of Tasman Bay and Abel Tasman National Park. Pohara, on the other hand is a pint-sized beachy village located about 10 km Northeast of Takaka. Pohara boasts of more flash holiday homes compared to other parts of Golden Bay. Collingwood which is a far-flung town is a busy place in summer and is considered as a start on pad for the Heapy Track or when making trips to Farewell Spit.
Other beautiful sights you shouldn’t miss while in Golden Bay include Farewell Spit, Wharariki Beach, and the Te Waikoropupu Springs. Farewell Spit is a marshland of international importance and a well-known bird sanctuary. It is also home to thousands of migratory birds especially the godwit, Caspian tern, and Australasian gannet. The spit boasts of colossal, crescent-shaped dunes where you can have panoramic views of Golden Bay. Along the foot of the spit is a conducive place to write a postcard or make an artwork over coffee at the hilltop visitor-center-cum-café. The Wharariki Beach is a secluded and isolated beach located along an unsealed road. The beach is a wild introduction to the West Coast, possessing epic dune formation, eclectic rock islets just offshore along with a seal colony at the eastern side. The Te Waikoropupu Springs is the largest freshwater spring you can find in Australasia and is known as the cleanest in the world. It is a colorful little lake beautifully adorned with hues of blue.
While in Golden Bay, you can also visit the Golden Bay Museum which exclusively exhibits a diorama depicting Abel Tasman’s 1642 landing, and some dubious human taxidermy.
Hotel/motel accommodations in Golden Bay include the Golden Bay Motel, Fraser Highlands Retreat, The Rocks Chalet, Ratanui Lodge, Mohua Hotels, Pohara Beachfront Motel, The Station Motel, The Resurgence Luxury Eco Lodge, Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park, The Innlet Hostel and Cottages, Chalets @ Terrace Gardens, among others.
Different activities you can do while exploring Golden Bay includes the following: join the Farewell Spit eco tours, hiking and trekking at the Pupu Hydro walkway or you can saddle up and do horseback riding at Cape Farewell Horse Treks.