Golden Bay in a Day
Overview
Golden Bay is truly a hiden gem providing lots of incredible surprises. Departing your accommodation and the city we drive over the Waimea Plains in Tasman Bay through the vineyards, market gardens and orchards then forest on Marble mountain.
This is a full day tour that never fails to impress and becomes a photographers playground with almost scenic overload proportions.
Your every comfort is included from water, fresh fruit, tea, coffee and of course a gourmet picnic lunch as well as entrance fees into middle earth caves and the National Parks where your guide is privileged with special unique access.
This day is renowned for the diversity of views and landscape formations from mountains, managed and unique native forest types. limestone and granite rock formations, incredibly clear water, estuaries, a waterfall and beautiful golden sand beaches.
If time permits a stroll through the Takaka village will top of a fascinating day.
What's Included
- Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Light refreshments
- National Park fees
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Fuel surcharge
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Driver/guide
- Professional guide
- Local guide
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup will be from your Nelson City, Stoke or Richmond accommodation. Pickup time will vary according to the location of your accommodation.
What To Expect
Departing 8.30am from your Nelson accommodation this fully catered and interpretive journey into Golden Bay is a scenic feast of diverse landforms, nestled between the mountains of Kahurangi National Park and the stunningly beautiful golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park.
Sole access is by a single road over Takaka Hill that leaves from almost sea-level to reach an altitude of 800 metres through a mix of mature native forest remnants, regenerating scrub, managed forest and farmland and in between alternating views of both national parks with the orchards and Tasman Bay below.
There are always plenty of opportunities for photos with a short walk to a viewing platform through ancient granite and marble rock outcrops and into a quaint forest remnant or entering Ngarua cave to exit near a Hobbit film location site. This alpine region provides spectacular views, fascinating rock formations and sink holes interspersed with grassland meadows.
Descending into Golden Bay the mountains of Kahurangi loom large above the predominantly dairy farmland with distance views of the internationally renowned wildlife reserve of Sandspit over the township of Takaka which is as interesting as its inhabitants and often described as a hippy village that attracts artisans from around the world.
Close by is Te Waikoropupu Springs which are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere and is the clearest water ever measured in the world. This small area surrounding the springs is wahi tapu, a place held in high cultural and spiritual regard by Maori, is steeped in gold mining history and is the perfect place to observe the many stages of re-vegetation of a unique indigenous forest that contains a huge collection of plants including mature beech and podocarp forest.
Towards the eastern side of Golden Bay the road passes through a natural hole and alongside amazing limestone formations to the Abel Tasman memorial lookout and the golden sands of Ligar Bay and Tata beach before walking into Abel Tasman National Park to see Wainui Falls, the largest waterfall in the region.
No visit is complete without uncovering a hidden secret. A fascinating limestone area shaped and worn by strong undersea currents before being thrust up from the ocean into a sub-tropical climate that supports a unique collection of plants, some with strange habits and incredible stories.
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Golden Bay in a Day?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-8767P2
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 26 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Tea and coffee. Coffee and/or Tea.
- Lunch.
- Bottled water.
- Light refreshments.
- National Park fees.
- GST (Goods and Services Tax).
- Fuel surcharge.
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan.
- Driver/guide.
- Professional guide.
- Local guide.
- Gratuities.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 1. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Golden Bay in a Day is as follows:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Golden Bay in a Day will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Tea and coffeeCoffee and/or Tea
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Light refreshments
- National Park fees
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Fuel surcharge
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Driver/guide
- Professional guide
- Local guide
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
