Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
30-minute walk from the car park. Allow us to state the obvious: the cave is off-limits to
all but the most experienced cavers. Mountain bikers with intermediate-level skills can
venture along a couple of new loop tracks, or head all the way down to Takaka via the
famous
Rameka Track
. There's a basic
DOC Campsite
(per person $6)
here too.
Close to the zenith also lies the
Takaka Hill Walkway
, a three-hour loop walk through
marble karst rock formations, native forest and farmland, and
Harwood Lookout
, affording
fine views down the Takaka River Valley to Takaka and Golden Bay. For more walks on
the sunny side of the hill, see DOC's brochure
Walks in Golden Bay
.
Takaka & Around
Boasting NZ's highest concentration of yoga pants, dreadlocks and alternative life-stylers,
Takaka (population 1240) is nevertheless a largely down-to-earth town and the last 'big'
centre before the road west ends at Farewell Spit. You'll find most things you need here,
and a few things you don't, but we all have an unworn tie-dye tanktop in our wardrobe,
don't we?
Sights & Activities
Many of Takaka's sights can readily be reached via bicycle, with hire and maps available
from the time-warped
Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop
(
03-525 9555;
www.quietrevolution.co.nz
;
11 Com-
mercial St; bike hire per day $25-65)
on the main street.
Te Waikoropupu Springs
'Pupu Springs' are the largest freshwater springs in Australasia and reputedly the clearest
in the world. About 14,000 litres of water per second surges from underground vents, cre-
ating 'dancing sands' and swirling curious plantlife throughout colourful pools, which are
viewed from a network of tracks and are off-limits for swimming. From Takaka, head
4km northwest on SH60 and follow the signs inland for 3km from Waitapu Bridge.
SPRING
Grove Scenic Reserve
Around 10 minutes' drive from Takaka (signposted down Clifton Rd) you will find this
crazy limestone maze punctuated by gnarled old rata trees. The walkway takes around 10
minutes and passes an impressive lookout.
LOOKOUT
Rawhiti Cave
CAVE
