Things to See and Do in Golden Bay
Activities
Anatoki Salmon
Anatoki Salmon is a small freshwater salmon farm specialising in a superior quality freshwater salmon product. The farm also operates as a tourist attraction with a fully licensed cafe and offers salmon fishing in a beautiful environment. The farm is privileged to be located alongside the Anatoki River as it flows out of the steep valleys of the Kahurangi National Park in Golden Bay, New Zealand.
Beautiful Begonias
Beautiful Begonias is where Marie and Rodney are growing their famous begonias. On the website they aim to feature some of the special begonias they do not have enough of to put in the catalogue. If you are planning a trip to Beautiful Begonias, they are situated in sunny Pohara on the eastern side of Golden Bay.
Bencarri Nature Park and Cafe
Nestled on the banks of the Anatoki River and surrounded by native bush, Bencarri Nature Park invites you to experience a magical combination of nature, history and a vibrant, relaxed café—a memorable and educative experience.
Cape Farewell Horse Treks
"Welcome to our corner of New Zealand, the place where your dreams come true." Experience some of the most stunning and beautiful countryside "that you won't see anywhere else in New Zealand" from mountains to the white sanded wild Wharariki Beach of the West Coast. Treks are from 1.5hrs to 3hrs. Longer and overnight treks by arrangement. Pick-ups available (small charge applies). Cape Farewell Horse Treks have excellent well-mannered and willing horses, clean, safe tack and professional guides all trained in first aid. All have great personalities and a passion for our horses and the area that they call home. Their aim is to give people a positive experience that will last a lifetime without damaging the environment. "We take photos and just leave hoofprints."
Farewell Spit Eco Tours
Farewell Spit (Onetahua) 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. Farewell Spit is more strictly protected than a national park. Vehicle access is granted only to supervised tours. Through sharing the experience of Farewell Spit, Farewell Spit Eco Tours can help to raise public awareness of this precious ecosystem, so vital for migratory birds. "Onetahua" is the Maori name for Farewell Spit and translated means "heaped up sand". Onetahua is also the name chosen for the Golden Bay Marae which was established in the 1980s.
Golden Bay Kayaks
Sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park with Golden Bay Kayaks. Experience Abel Tasman National Park the way it used to be. By starting from gorgeous Golden Bay in the northern Park area, this allows you to paddle in stunning scenery with uncrowded beaches. Take advantage of their more than 14 years' operating experience and their large variety of kayak options available.
Remote Adventures
Hunting, jet boating, Heaphy Track connection, charter flights….
The Village Theatre
The Village Theatre Society Inc. is a non-profit organisation that has been providing the people of Golden Bay with an entertainment venue since 1987. They have evolved from humble beginnings to become the thriving entertainment centre it is today—with comfortable seating and state of the art projection and sound equipment. They strive to offer a range of movies that cater to all tastes as well as live shows, events, fundraisers and special interest films. They are always on the lookout for something a bit different from the standard movie fare, to add variety to their offerings. Each autumn they hold their own much-loved International Film Festival, showcasing the bold, the cuddly and the quirky from around the world. The Village Theatre is also the home of allshorts, the popular short film festival.
Food and Eating Out
Golden Salami
Golden Salami’s handcrafted Salami is created in beautiful sunny Golden Bay using carefully selected ingredients and a traditional European slow cure method.
The Mussel Inn
The Mussel Inn could be described as ‘Kiwi woolshed’ meets ‘Aussie farmhouse’ in style of construction. A single room with a veranda on three sides, chunky wooden furniture (tables good to dance on) and a large open fire create a space that is rustic and homely. The fare is simple and wholesome and as much as possible, prepared in their own kitchen. Famous for their fresh steamed mussels and thick mussel chowder, they also do steak, fish and vegetarian options and a range of snacky foods are always available.
The Naked Possum
The Naked Possum is an “eco tourism” gem situated at the edge of the Kahurangi forest in Golden Bay, New Zealand. Nestled in idyllic bush surrounds at the base of the Whakamarama mountain range, they overlook the Kaituna River and the entrance to the beautiful Kaituna Walking Track. Their mission is to support the eradication of the brush tail possum (a destructive pest in NZ) in order to ensure that our diminishing native forests are protected and preserved. They are particularly passionate about the restoration of the once magnificent rata forest here in Golden Bay so actively encourage ongoing pest control, and the follow up planting of rata trees, in this region. The Naked Possum is a must do “destination” experience incorporating an eco tannery, a retail possum shop, a rata nursery and a fully licensed, award winning café… complete with large outdoor fire, spit roast and barbeque.
The Wholemeal Café
The name "Wholemeal Trading Company" was conceived during a late night 'session' around the fire in 1977. During the early days, the Café was furnished with vinyl beanbags and low tables made from old doors, surrounded by hessian-covered walls. They served herb teas, smoothies, blissballs, date-scones, gateaux, cakes, custard squares and toasted sandwiches.
Gourmet evenings with a set menu quickly grew in popularity and created special nights out for many groups.
Transport
Golden Bay Air
Golden Bay Air operates scheduled flights between Wellington and Takaka and Karamea and Takaka with connecting ground transport to the Heaphy Track and Abel Tasman National Park. All scheduled flights and shuttles can be booked online. They also offer spectacular scenic flights charters from Takaka Airport and have a rental car service available at Takaka.
Golden Bay Coachlines
Golden Bay Coachlines strive to offer the best, most reliable and most comfortable bus service between Nelson and Golden Bay. They stop in Nelson, Richmond, Mapua, Tasman, Motueka, Takaka, Collingwood, Heaphy Track, Pohara, Wainui Bay and Totaranui (the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park). Operating modern air-conditioned coaches, join them as we take you on a scenic journey through limestone outcrops, rolling hills and pass golden beaches. View the Tasman region from the top of the Takaka hill across Abel Tasman National Park, Tasman Bay to the Marlborough Sounds.
Heaphy Track Help
Car relocations and food drops. Derry Kingston started his Heaphy Track Help business in 2003. He had long seen the need for a car relocation service for the Heaphy Track. He concluded that the most efficient way was to drive the car from one end to the other and then to walk back quickly. Consequently, he has now walked the Heaphy Track more than 200 times! Derry's long involvement with the Golden Bay Tramping Club has given him extensive knowledge of both the Kahurangi and the Abel Tasman National Parks.
Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi
Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi provides water taxi trips, sea shuttle services, guided tours, seal watching cruises and pack/luggage transport in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand.
Other
Golden Bay. New Zealand.
Directory of what to see and do in Golden Bay.