Golden Bay is my turangawaewae, my stomping ground, its where I am from, it is my home and I would like to share with you what we do as a family…

We have so many places to explore in Golden Bay, there are usual places that have been on the tourist maps forever such as the Waikorupupu Springs and Wharariki. If you dare to move away from the expected, you won’t be disappointed.

Our day starts with a Stand Up Paddle Board or a sea kayak, exploring the Tata Islands which are ecologically the most important in the Abel Tasman National Park. There is always something to be amazed by out there, the birds, the seals, maybe a penguin comes to say hello. Quiet secluded golden beaches are the perfect place to go swimming, picnic.

Wainui Falls is a 10 minute drive from Tata Beach. This is one of the most beautiful family walks in New Zealand, easily done in your flip flops and if the day is hot try jumping into the refreshing Wainui river.

In the early 1900’s Rawhiti Cave was a tourist destination, guided tours were taken up the hill and just like at Golden Bay Kayaks, the billy was boiled when you got to the top. The water for the billy was collected in a pot, this pot is still there, cemented into the rock. It is one of New Zealand’s largest cave entrances and has so many stalactites that your eyes go blurry. The track gets very greasy in the wet, wear good shoes and go with a good sense of adventure as the track is in desperate need repair(as of August 2021). To drive to Rawhiti it is about a 15 minute drive towards Motupipi and the walk itself is around an hour…you dont need a torch.

The billy for tea, now cemented into history. @Rawhiti Cave

Bring your bike, mountain biking in Golden Bay is fabulous for families. The best place in the Nelson/Tasman area to bring your family to learn, experience and enjoy mountain biking is the Motupipi Hill. These easy grade trails are not intimidating, you can do short loops for the little ones.

The Rameka, is a series of mountain bike and walking trails. Once a pack track to drive cattle up to the top of the Tākaka Hill, was the preferred route of the Tākaka Hill by the locals, it is now a series of mountain bike trails. There is the original Rameka Track which starts at Canaan Downs, on top of the Takaka Hill, there are some mountain bike trails built by the Golden Bay Mountain Bike club that are worth exploring.

To explore the Rameka from Tākaka park at the Tōtara tree. From there you can explore a number of trails. You can either ride up the road to the top of the pack track or you could choose to ride up the Historic.

Golden Bay is fortunate to have a world class Velosolution Pumptrack @ Tākaka Primary School. The pumptrack, 9 Wadsworth Street, Takaka. The public is welcome but please respect this space and the rules. Always be considerate of other users and wear your helmet.