Best things to see and do in Takaka

The view from Takaka Hill. Photo / Creative Commons image by Flickr user Ghislain Mary

Takaka has a bustling arts scene and pretty scenery, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Where is it? At the southeastern end of Golden Bay in the Tasman region, 57km from Motueka, two hours' drive from Nelson or, if you fancy flying in, there's a little aerodrome just outside town.

Twice the fun: Takaka is one of Golden Bay's two main towns, the other being Collingwood.

Population: 4500 people live year round in Golden Bay, swelling to 12,000 in summer).

Town slogan: Come, Stay, Play in Golden Bay.

Old news: After the arrival of the Europeans Takaka was a hive of industry, thanks to gold, flax, timber and coal — there's even marble found round here.

Capital idea: Collingwood (20 minutes' drive from Takaka) was once intended as New Zealand's capital.

Famous Golden Bay locals: Jack Bauer (cyclist), Todd Blackadder (All Black) Charlie Haskell (film director), Toni Hodgkinson (runner) and Rueben Northover (future All Black, mark my words).

Best website: goldenbaynz.co.nz.

Big business: Farming, fishing and tourism.

Sources of pride: The community spirit, the lively arts and crafts scene and the beaut landscape — Nature's done some of her finest work round here.

Town fiestas: Mardi Gras, held every two years, is 12 hours of non-stop fun, while the annual Luminate Festival comprises eight days of music, arts, culture and inspiration at Canaan Downs. And yoga, there's a whole lot of yoga going on down here.

Here for a short time: Visit crystal-clear Te Waikoropupu Springs (aka Pupu Springs); check out Farewell Spit, one of the longest sand spit reserves in the world; pitch a tent at DoC's Totaranui camp, visit museums or go to various beaches where you can try your hand at fishing, horse trekking, kayaking, kite surfing or making your own fun.

Best reason to stop: With only one way in and one way out, if you didn't stop you'd have to turn round and go out again.

Town and around: Takaka township has a heritage vibe, with many of the buildings more than 100 years old. Plaques tell the stories of many of the buildings' origins, while blank walls have been decorated by local artists whose murals focus largely on history and culture.

Best place to take kids: You can catch your own kai at Anatoki Salmon. Labyrinth Rocks is ace for exploring, The Grove is a magical walk through rock and bush up to the lookout, and not too demanding. Then there's Farewell Spit Tours, Cape Farewell Horse Treks, paddling at Tata Beach with Golden Bay Kayaks and, for bigger kids, walking the Heaphy Track is a super adventure.

Best facilities: Almost all the toilets have murals painted on them - great for comfort stops and photo ops.

Best walks: Labyrinth Rocks, just 2km out of Takaka, are a maze-like network of canyons running through a limestone outcrop - geologically kooky. It is an enchanting family attraction. The Pupu Hydro Walkway retraces an old gold mining water-race and takes about two hours - stunning. The Grove Lookout takes about 20 minutes to reach through limestone, rata forest and native bush. And, of course, this is the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park.

Best views: This region is spoiled for pretty vistas from Rameka Track, Clifton to the Grove Lookout, Canaan, Takaka Hill — Harwood's Lookout, Pohara and Tata Beach to name a few.

Best place to pull over: The viewing platform up Takaka Hill, check out the magical valley scenes.

Best swims: Tata for a steep, deep golden sand beach, Pohara for a large flat beach or Ligar for golden sands. Also visit Wharariki Beach or Wainui Falls.

Best museums: Golden Bay Museum in Takaka and Collingwood Museum are little gold mines filled with gems from the past, both detailing colonial and pre-European history with gusto.

Nice arts: There are several art galleries in town and around. The Arts Guide is available from the visitor centre, although strolling round town you'll find a fair bit of art off your own bat.

Top shops: There are several groovy artisan stores including the Artisans Gallery and the Monza Gallery, add to your wardrobe at Mariposa, Amika or Wildflower and why not grab some shoes you'll love forever from Soul — you won't find many chain stores here.

Cream of the coffee: There are several great coffee shops in town, with the oldest and best-known being the organic Wholemeal Cafe — and if you like what you eat buy one of their cookbooks and see if you can create it yourself.

Get baked: Visit De-lish for cakes, scones and chocolate or, for artisan bread, stop at Takaka Infusion.

Best food: Sans Souci Inn and Ratanui Lodge are both fab, and each night the meat choice changes, while Eatery on The Rock does awesome steaks.

Wet your whistle: The Mussel Inn bush cafe produces a wide range of craft beers, wine, cider and fizzy drinks, plus its wholesome food goes down a treat too.

Best mountain biking: Rameka Track is graded 3-4, and is pretty challenging but the views are great. Or ride the Heaphy Track in winter.

Best adventures: Walk the Heaphy Track, take a tour of Farewell Spit, fish at Anatoki Salmon.

Pretty beautiful: Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest fresh water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and have to be seen to be believed, while Golden Bay features two of the country's top five beaches — Totaranui and Farewell Spit.

Wildlife: Birds flock to Golden Bay and here, just for starters, you'll see tui, morepork, kereru and blue penguins.

Seal of approval: Nine out of 10 seals say the basking here rocks.

Water winner: Takaka has the sweetest-tasting water in New Zealand, possibly even the world, it's mind-blowingly delicious.

Visitors say: You all look so happy.

Locals say: You would too if you lived here.

Thanks to Cheryl Elsey for sharing the bliss