Kaiteriteri, Tasman, New ZealandVery short drive along the Tasman Bay.
Motueka: Stopped at Placeholders Roadside farm--plums & rock melon. Nice to get fresh fruit from a farm.
Motueka: Stopped at Placeholders Roadside farm--plums & rock melon. Nice to get fresh fruit from a farm.
KAITERITERI HOLIDAY PARK campground - 2 nights
Amazing location right across road from the Kaiteriteri Beach, which has the most amazing sand color. It's actually a gold color because of the iron in the rocks.
Spent every minute we were not sightseeing enjoying this unique gold beach.
Spent every minute we were not sightseeing enjoying this unique gold beach.
Takaka: Ventured over legendary Takaka mountain pass (2,595ft) noted for its unusual elevated landscape including spectacular marble rock formations. Innumerable twists and turns of this very steep road; worse one yet! Very slow going with some one-way sections regulated by traffic lights. The clouds rolled in making it even more difficult to see. Bad enough driving this once; we still have to come back down again.
Town: Main center for Golden Bay, home to the long Farewell spit, New Zealand's longest sand spit. The town is very artsy and full of character. iCenter--for local info; also, booked ahead of time our ferry crossing to the north island in a couple of days.
Te Waikoropupū Springs, the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand.
“Place of the Dancing Sands” named for water so clear you can see the whirling white sand at its bottom. Entrance sign explained this Maori sacred place.
Walk: lovely 30-minute loop track past the spring and through a beautiful native forest. Nice platform area to sit and view the springs. Lightly raining so we didn't stay long.
Started raining too hard to do other walks.
“Place of the Dancing Sands” named for water so clear you can see the whirling white sand at its bottom. Entrance sign explained this Maori sacred place.
Walk: lovely 30-minute loop track past the spring and through a beautiful native forest. Nice platform area to sit and view the springs. Lightly raining so we didn't stay long.
Started raining too hard to do other walks.
On way back stopped at a couple of Farms: Royal Gala apples - and Nashi Pears, a cross between apple & pear-sweet & juicy. The lady gave us 4 apples and 4 pears to try.
**************************************************************************
3-7: ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
Known for sparkling turquoise waters, sheltered inlets and dazzling golden sand beaches and sparkling waters. One of New Zealand's great walking tracks that takes 3-4 days.
Only a day walk for us. Bark Bay to Torrent Bay:
After yesterday's rain, very thankful for a sunny day.
Water taxi pickup at Kaiteriteri Beach across from the campground.
Fantastic boat ride seeing the national park from the water. So many cozy little bays.
About an hour to reach Bark Bay. Short walk across Medlands Beach and up the trail to a great viewpoint.
Very good trail going up and down, brilliant views out over the coastline, even a suspension bridge over Falls River to make it more exciting.
About 3 hours to reach Torrent Bay. The walk continues to Anchorage Bay, which we planned to do. However, the trail across the bay can only be reached at at low tide and it is not. Picked up the taxi here for the ride back.
Extremely Scenic Walk on a Picture-Perfect Sunny Day!
Known for sparkling turquoise waters, sheltered inlets and dazzling golden sand beaches and sparkling waters. One of New Zealand's great walking tracks that takes 3-4 days.
Only a day walk for us. Bark Bay to Torrent Bay:
After yesterday's rain, very thankful for a sunny day.
Water taxi pickup at Kaiteriteri Beach across from the campground.
Fantastic boat ride seeing the national park from the water. So many cozy little bays.
About an hour to reach Bark Bay. Short walk across Medlands Beach and up the trail to a great viewpoint.
Very good trail going up and down, brilliant views out over the coastline, even a suspension bridge over Falls River to make it more exciting.
About 3 hours to reach Torrent Bay. The walk continues to Anchorage Bay, which we planned to do. However, the trail across the bay can only be reached at at low tide and it is not. Picked up the taxi here for the ride back.
Extremely Scenic Walk on a Picture-Perfect Sunny Day!
2025-05-22