Takaka to Totaranui
Totaranui is the northern entrance to the Abel Tasman NP. Even if you won't go that far, the road along the bay leads to great camera stops, safe beaches and to the Wainui River Falls.
Labyrinth Rocks
2 km out of Takaka
A maze-like network of canyons through a limestone outcrop.
Rawhiti Cave
near Motupipi
The ancient cave with a enormous entrance has thousands of stalactites.
The walk up to the entrance is a steep track.
The Grove
20 min return
Start: turn right at Clifton
Rata trees growing over limestone outcrops. During early summer the trees are flowering red but going to the viewpoint is worth all year round.
Beaches
Pohara is the most popular beach but there are more to choose from!
Abel Tasman Memorial
The carpark is on top of the hill past the old cement work of Tarakohe Harbour. On 18th December 1642 Abel Tasman, a Captain in the Dutch East India Company entered as first Europeans Golden Bay with two ships. They anchored over night but early in the morning 8 well manned canoes came toward their ships. Four dutch sailors were killed and Tasman raised anchor, naming the place Murders' Bay.
Wainui Falls
1,5 hour return - easy
Start: follow the signs at the Totaranui RD at Wainui Bay
Walk through a forest of ferns, rata trees and palms along the Wainui river.
It's the smallest of New Zealand's nationalparks but a popular one. The three to five days costal walk is just one of the many choices you have. It takes you around beautiful bays and beaches with almost no hill to climb.
