day one: nelson to takaka
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
As we pass through the small beachside settlements of Tasman Bay and on to Motueka,
it’s clear to Bob and I that creative folk – artists, potters, sculptors, weavers,
carvers, photographers and poets – abound in these parts. We pass several small
boutiques, galleries and studios displaying unique wares, as well as simple roadside
stalls where excess homegrown produce is sold.
Orchards of apples and hops sweep by as we begin the steep drive up Takaka Hill,
passing Ngarua Caves to reach the top where we’re offered fabulous views of the
Anatoki Range and flat coastal plains below.
We take a drive by Takaka’s collection of quirky cafes, then hike through the craggy
limestone outcrops of the Grove Scenic Reserve in Clifton, where native trees and
ferns cling precariously to the top.
Bob (ever mindful of his stomach) spots a sign for Golden Salami and so we follow
the signs to Alan Climpson’s Sussex beef farm where all the salami is handmade from
meat produced by their own cows. It’s mixed with herbs, spices, salt, sugar and
brandy then cured slowly, European-style, to produce a tangy flavour.
After selecting a salami to join the fruits and crackers already in our picnic basket,
we continue on our way. At the Wainui Falls, a 30 minute hike brings us to a swing
bridge with an impressive view of the thundering water. We enjoy a cup of thermos
coffee on a large boulder in the sun then hike back down the trail to continue our
drive through dense forest to the ochre-tinted sands of Totaranui in the Abel Tasman
National Park.
“Let’s go somewhere quiet to picnic,” suggests Bob, in contemplative mood after
the waterfall experience. Information on all the hikes – which range from 20-minutes
to five days – is provided in the Dept. of Conservation office. We choose the one-hour
Coast Track to Anapai Bay which journeys over the headland and when we arrive we
have the beach all to ourselves. After a refreshing dip in the warm ocean, we eat
our tasty salami-based picnic and laze in the sun before returning to Totaranui,
where - much to Bob’s delight - I suggest we go salmon fishing...
please click the link to download the full Nelson to Golden Bay scenic drive, courtesy of apex
car rentals new zealand... the kiwi way
to read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives