Took an overnight trip and stayed in Takaka so we could do as much as we could of the park.

Our first views were from one of the water taxis from Marahua. Another first in that you board the boat whilst it is attached to a tractor & trailer at the taxi offices and then drive to the beach where it is launched into the sea from the trailer, which is reversed into to sea! We even had a kayak on board for a couple of passengers.

The Split Apple Rock was our first view, a piece of granite rock that has split to give it it’s name. Then off to the island with a seal colony. A number of the male fur seals were about but the females have recently had or about to have their pups so were further into the undergrowth.

Dropped off passengers in Anchorage Bay which is next to Torrent Bay, both fabulous sandy beaches and even saw a stingray. People either spend the day on the beach or took one of the many walks and stopped overnight in the huts within the park. Picking up another water taxi or walking to be collected at another point.

Lots of land slips on the coastline as they had 32 inches of rain over 3 days earlier in the year which caused the damage.

Dropped off more people at Awaroa Bay before getting to our final stop at Totaranui, where we had a short break on the beach before the return trip.

We then drove over Takaka Hill, NZ’s longest hill, rising 791 metres above sea level, the road is very steep and windy, the hill was also used as a film location for Lord of the Rings.

Our B&B in Takaka was really great and lots of tips on what to do from Mark, the owner who was originally from Essex.

Next day we headed for Wharariki Beach, the last 5km of the road was unsealed, so car now a very dusty specimen. This was supposedly a flat 20 min walk, well nothing flat about it and the soft sand on the final hill to get on the beach was a real struggle, but we made it. The tide was out so a further walk to the sea over more soft sand to view the arched rocks and fur seals. On our return had an ice lolly in the cafe in the car park, which had a resident peacock, peahen and chicks. The peacock took a fancy to one of the cars and decided he liked standing on the bonnet!

Next stop was a view of Cape Farewell Spit a nature reserve for many bird species.

On our way back to Takaka the tide had come in on Golden Bay and gave some fabulous views of the ocean. Lots of horse trekking in the area and saw a group on the side of one of the small rivers.

Te Waikoropupu Springs was our next stop, the largest freshwater springs in NZ and supposedly contain some of the clearest water ever measured. Nice short walk through the forest, bordered by babbling brooks and gorgeous tree ferns. Even saw the largest species of whitebait in the crystal clear water.

Took a drive along the coast to Tata Beach driving through the rocks on the way, stopped for a coffee in Takaka before heading back over the hill to Nelson.

Fabulous trip in glorious sunshine, possibly a little too hot at 29 first day and 24 on second day, but not complaining as we had hoped for better weather.