Great attractions and dining locations close to Twin Waters and for more details on other attractions within Golden Bay please visit www.Goldenbaynz.co.nz
Attractions:
Abel Tasman National Park
Aorere Valley
Bird Watching
Cape Farewell
Cape Farewell Horse Treks
Collingwood
Farewell Spit
Farewell Spit Tours
Heaphy Track
Pillar Point
Puponga
Pupu Springs
Golden Bay Settler’s Museum
Salmon Fishing
Whanganui Inlet
Wharariki Beach
Dining in and around Collingwood:
The Old School Cafe
The Courthouse Cafe
Collingwood Tavern
Paddlecrab Cafe
The Mussel Inn Cafe Bar Brewery
The Naked Possum Cafe
Attractions
Twin Waters is a good base for all activities in the Golden Bay area. The list below is an overview. We are happy to provide literature that goes into more detail. For more detail on Golden Bay Attractions please see the Goldenbaynz web site: www.goldenbaynz.co.nz
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman is one of two National Parks that embrace Golden Bay. The coastal track is a pleasant 3 to 5 day hike, with various points of access.
www.goldenbaynz.co.nz/w_abel_tasman.html
Aorere Valley
The Aorere Valley was once a famous gold panning area. Now it is important for its tourist attractions, and as the way to the end of the Heaphy Track. Attractions worthy of note include the Devil’s Boots rock formations, the Te Anaroa Caves, the Bainham General Store and Post Office (run by the Langford family since 1928, a store as it was in the “old days” - see image below), the Salisbury Bridge (a suspension bridge across a dramatic gorge, originally constructed in 1887 to provide supplies to gold miners on the upper Aorere - see image below), the Aorere Goldfields and the Naked Possum restaurant and tannery. From the Naked Possum, the Kaituna Track is a day’s hike to the Whanganui Inlet, or a walk to the Kaituna Forks takes 1 ½ hours.
Bird Watching
Golden Bay is recognised for the richness of its bird life. Native species commonly found on the premises at Twin Waters include:
Tui, bellbird (makomako), native pigeon (kereru) and fantail (piwakwaka).
On the adjacent estuary and beaches species include:
Several species of seagulls (commonly including red-billed and black-back), oystercatchers, white-faced (grey) heron, white heron (kotuku), gannet, pied stilt (poaka), harrier hawk (kahu), black swans and several species of shag (cormorant).
Migratory species seen in season include:
Royal spoonbill, godwit, Caspian tern, banded dotterel.
On nearby farmland can be seen mallard ducks, paradise sheldrakes, New Zealand kingfishers and pukeko (NZ swamp hen).
Cape Farewell
Cape Farewell is the northernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand. It can be viewed from a doc platform, which is a short walk from the road.
Cape Farewell Horse Treks
Short, long and overnight treks amongst fantastic scenery. Bach available. Ph 524 8031.
Collingwood
Collingwood was once suggested as the capital of New Zealand. It was home to NZ’s first gold rush, when gold was found in the Aorere River in the 1850’s. (Gold can still be panned for in the Aorere today.) It developed as a dairying centre and a fishing port, but centralisation in recent years means industry has left, and it is now an historic tourist town. The museum is worth a visit.
Farewell Spit
Farewell Spit is a sand spit more than 20 km long. All but the 3 km at the base of the Spit is a Department of Conservation Protected Area and only accessible to the public through licensed operators (Farewell Spit Eco Tours and Kahurangi Nature Experiences). A trip on the Spit will reveal a wide range of bird life, giant sand dunes, and the tiny settlement that housed the lighthouse keepers until the installation of an automatic light. There is a gannet colony right at the end of the Spit.
Farewell Spit DOC Centre and the Paddle crab Restaurant are located at the base of Farewell Spit, just 15 km from Twin Waters. From there is a range of walks that can be done on the base of Farewell Spit, or back to Pillar Point, Cape Farewell and Wharariki Beach.
Farewell Spit Tours
We are agents for Farewell Spit Eco Tours and Farewell Spit Nature Experience. Tours typically take between 5 and 6 hours, and are timed to take advantage of low tides. Tour times are posted in reception. Farewell Spit is famed for its birds, particularly migratory species best seen between October and March, and for its historic lighthouse. The Tour Company will pick you up and drop you off at the end of Totara Avenue or the nearby Old School Cafe.
Heaphy Track
The Heaphy Track is one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks”, and goes 82 km through Kahurangi National Park from the hills above the Aorere Valley to the West Coast north of Karamea. It is typically a 4 – 5 day hike.
Kahurangi National Park: Kahurangi is one of the two national parks that embrace Golden Bay. It is noted for its native flora and birds. The Park can be accessed from the Naked Possum via the Kaituna Track, from the road past the Whanganui Inlet, or from the Heaphy Track. www.heaphytrack.com
Pillar Point
Pillar point is a 30 minute walk / climb from the road, and provides a panoramic view of Farewell Spit from the base of the lighthouse.
Puponga
Puponga is an old coal mining town at the base of Farewell Spit. The last of the mines closed in the 1970’s, and it is now mostly holiday homes. The remains of the piles of the Puponga wharf, which was used to load coal, can be seen on the beach. A coal wagon from the Puponga railway can be seen in Collingwood, outside the courthouse. The inlet is a popular spot for picnics.
Pupu Springs
The full name Waikoropupu literally means “water with dancing sands”. These springs are world famous for their crystal clear waters and sand that dances in the water surging up from below. They are located on a side road just 5 km this side of Takaka.
Golden Bay Settler’s Museum
The Golden Bay Settler’s Museum is in the old Rockville dairy factory building, in the Aorere Valley. It houses a wide range of old machinery. Often on a Sunday, steam engines are fired up for a dramatic display.
Salmon Fishing
Salmon fishing is available at Anatoki Salmon, just past Takaka. The cost is $18 per kg of fish caught. We will be happy to cook your catch for dinner.
Whanganui Inlet
The Whanganui Inlet (Westhaven) is New Zealand’s second largest inlet. It is a great venue for picnicking, boating and fishing. The southern third of the inlet is a marine reserve, so no fishing is allowed there. The rest is a wildlife management reserve, which means no commercial fishing – so it is great for recreational fishers! The settlement of Mangarakau is just beyond the inlet, and beyond that the west coast can be accessed at the Paturau River mouth and the Anatori River mouth.
Wharariki Beach
This popular and very scenic beach is about 16 km away. There is a 20 min walk to the beach from the end of the road across farmland. Seals can usually be seen at this beach.
The walk from Wharariki takes about 3 - 4 hours and takes in Wharariki Beack, Cape Farewell, Pillar Point and finishes at the base of Cape Farewell. You can leave your car at the Paddlecrab and we will ferry you to Wharariki to start this scenic walk.
Dining in and around Collingwood:
In order of distance from Twin Waters Lodge.
The Old School Cafe
Pakawau – 3 km from Twin Waters Lodge (an easy walk along the beach!). The old school at Pakawau has been converted to a lively restaurant.
Counter food and blackboard menu. Open 11am till late, 7 days during summer. Ph (03) 524 8457.
The Courthouse Cafe
Collingwood – 8 km from Twin Waters Lodge. Quality coffee, food & wine with the ambience of the historical courthouse. Open Thurs - Mon 9 am till late, Tuesday 9 - 5. Closed Weds. Ph (03) 524 8025.
Collingwood Tavern
Collingwood – 8 km from Twin Waters Lodge. Open 7 days. Bistro style meals and Takeaways.
Indoor-outdoor dining, deck garden bar, bottle shop, courtesy van. Ph (03) 524 8160.
Paddlecrab Cafe
Farewell Spit – 12 km from Twin Waters Lodge. Stunning panoramic views over Farewell Spit. This restaurant is associated with the Farewell Spit DOC information centre.
Lunch menu, counter food, expresso coffee, fully licensed. Ph (03) 524 8454.
The Mussel Inn Cafe Bar Brewery
Onekaka – about 15 km from Twin Waters Lodge. Cafe bar and live music venue. Famous for concerts and Mussel Inn beers.
Open seven days a week 11am till late. www.musselinn.co.nz Ph (03) 525 9241.
The Naked Possum Cafe
Kaituna Valley – about 20 km from Twin Waters Lodge. At the start of the Kaituna walking track.
Open daily 10am-5pm. Late Friday - 10pm. Licensed Bush Cafe, outdoor fire, group functions 6pm onwards. Ph (03) 524 8433. www.nakedpossum.com