Eight of us enjoyed a stunning weekend in Golden Bay, staying in a bach in Collingwood for two nights and doing day walks on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday was perfect weather for a walk along the coastline from Farewell Spit to Wharariki Beach. We left a car at either end so we could all walk in one group along the Hill Top Walk.
Team starting the Saturday tramp from the base of Farewell spit
We had fabulous views over Farewell Spit and Pūponga from the Old Man Range and across the bay to Abel Tasman.
View points along the Hill Top Walk,
We tucked out of the wind for a snack stop at Pillar Point lighthouse and then carried on up and down over the headlands towards Wharariki Beach. Passing HealthPost Nature Trust’s sanctuary fence at Cape Farewell was interesting, it’s aimed at protecting nesting seabirds and reintroducing them to the coastline. More up and down followed, across grassy headlands and through lovely patches of bush, until we dropped down to the beach… and into strong wind. Sand was whipping around and no sheltered places were found for lunch so we headed up the track to the carpark for lunch. One of us stayed back at the car having pulled a muscle while the rest of the group continued down the farm track, past the dune lakes, to the far end of Wharariki Beach and returned back along the beach with the wind behind us.
Southern end of Wharariki Beach
We spend a relaxed evening at the bach enjoying a shared dinner.
The next day some of us had a swim in the morning after the overnight rain.
Enjoying the morning walk after the night's rain
After an early lunch of leftovers we drove to Waikoropūpu Springs for a wander and then onto the Pūpu Hydro Walkway for an afternoon walk before heading back to Nelson.
Alongside the water race on the Pūpu Hydro Walkway
Participants: Jo (Leader & scribe), Rosie-Anne, Debbie, Veronica, Stephen, Brian, Yumi and Maaike.