Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
About 10km northeast of Takaka is pint-sized Pohara, a beachy village with a population
that quadruples over summer. It has more flash holiday homes than other parts of Golden
Bay, but an agreeable air persists nonetheless, aided by decent food and lodging, and a
beach that at low tide is as big as Heathrow's runway. Look out for
Golden Bay
Blokarts
(778 Abel Tasman Dr)
.
Pohara lies close to the northern gateway of Abel Tasman National Park. The largely
unsealed road into the park passes
Tarakohe Harbour
(Pohara's working port), followed
by
Ligar Bay
. It's worth climbing to the Abel Tasman lookout as you pass by.
The next settlement along is
Tata Beach
, where
Golden Bay Kayaks
( 03-525
9095;
www.goldenbaykayaks.co.nz
;
half-day guided tours adult/child $85/35, freedom hire half-/full
day $90/110)
offers freedom rental of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, as well as
guided trips (including multiday) into Abel Tasman National Park.
Signposted from the Totaranui Rd at
Wainui Bay
is a leafy walk to the best cascade in
the bay:
Wainui Falls
. It's a one-hour return trip, but you could easily take longer by dip-
ping a toe or two in the river.
Sleeping & Eating
Pohara Beach Top
10 Holiday Park
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.
Sans Souci Inn
LODGE, RESTAURANT $$$
( 03-525 8663;
www.sanssouciinn.co.nz
; 11 Richmond Rd; s/d $90/115, self-contained unit from
$160, mains $32-35; closed Jul-mid-Sep; )
Sans Souci means 'no worries' in
French, and this will be your mantra too after staying in one of the seven Mediterranean-
flavoured, mudbrick rooms. Guests share a plant-filled, mosaic bathroom that has com-
posting toilets, and an airy lounge and kitchen opening out onto the semi-tropical court-
yard. Dinner in the on-site restaurant (bookings essential) is highly recommended; break-
fast by request.
Ratanui
LODGE $$$
