Takaka Hill & Golden Bay — Motueka toCollingwood.
Distance
110 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
900 m
Takaka Hill & Golden Bay — Motueka to Collingwood.
SH60 climbs the marble karst of Takaka Hill in a sequence of sweeping switchbacks, then drops into Golden Bay — a remote, sunny, bohemian pocket at the top of the South Island. The road runs on to Collingwood, the last town before the wild sweep of Farewell Spit.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance110 km
Days1
Total climb900 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
MotuekaStart · Start in Motueka on Tasman Bay. Fuel up — Golden Bay has limited services. The climb up Takaka Hill begins just west of town.
Takaka Hill Summit (791m)Mountain Pass · The Marble Mountain — NZ's largest marble karst landscape. Sweeping switchbacks on both sides; Hawkes Lookout and Ngarua Caves are near the top.
Te Waikoropupu SpringsScenic Point · Among the clearest freshwater springs in the world (over 70m visibility) and a sacred Maori site (wahi tapu). Boardwalks only — no contact with the water.
TakakaRestaurant · Golden Bay's laid-back hub with excellent cafes and a strong artisan scene. A good lunch stop before continuing north.
CollingwoodEnd · Finish in Collingwood, the frontier-feel last town before Farewell Spit. Wharariki Beach and its sea arches are a short gravel detour beyond.
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