Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping & Eating
Pohara Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
( 03-525 9500, 0800 764 272;
www.poharabeach.com
; 809 Abel Tasman Dr; campsites from $20, cabins & units
$61-164; )
Wow, what a big 'un! On a long grassy strip between the dunes and the
main road, this place has a primo location - but in summer it can feel more like a suburb
than the seaside. Beaut cabins abound. General store and takeaway on site.
HOLIDAY PARK
$
LODGE, RESTAURANT
$$
Sans Souci Inn
(
03-525 8663;
www.sanssouciinn.co.nz
;
11 Richmond Rd; s/d $90/115, self-contained unit from $160, mains
$32-35; closed Jul-mid-Sep; )
Sans Souci means 'no worries' in French, and this will
be your mantra too after staying in one of the seven Mediterranean-flavoured, mudbrick
rooms. Guests share a plant-filled, mosaic bathroom that has composting toilets, and an
airy lounge and kitchen opening out onto the semi-tropical courtyard. Dinner in the on-
site restaurant (bookings essential) is highly recommended; breakfast by request.
Ratanui
( 03-525 7998;
www.ratanuilodge.com
;
818 Abel Tasman Dr; d $155-269; )
This boutique lodge
is a contender for NZ's most romantic, with Victorian grandeur inside, and colourful cot-
tage garden out the front. In addition to elegant rooms, there are myriad sensual stimulat-
ors such as swimming pool, massage service, cocktails and a candelabra-lit restaurant
(open to the public; bookings required). Free bikes, too.
LODGE
$$
Penguin Café & Bar
(
www.penguincafe.co.nz
;
818 Abel Tasman Dr; lunch $13-22, dinner $20-33; 10am-late Nov-Apr, 4pm-late Mon-
Wed & 11am-late Thu-Sun May-Oct)
A popular locals' hang-out, this well-run spot sports a large
garden suited to sundowners and thirst-quenchers on sunny days. There's an open fire in-
side for the odd inclement day. Chow down on belly-filling bar snacks, and look out for
local seafood specials come dinner time.
PUB
$$
Getting There & Away
Golden Bay Coachlines
( 03-525 8352;
www.gbcoachlines.co.nz
)
Runs daily from Takaka to Pohara
(15 minutes) on the way to Totaranui.
