Explore/New Zealand/NZ TAS/Takaka Hill & Golden Bay — Motueka to Collingwood
NZMotueka, New ZealandModeratePaved

Takaka Hill & Golden Bay — Motueka toCollingwood.

Distance
110 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
900 m
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Curated by Rider · Updated Aug 2026
Overview

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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Day-by-day

The route.

ROUTE
5 stops
Start
MotuekaStart · Start in Motueka on Tasman Bay. Fuel up — Golden Bay has limited services. The climb up Takaka Hill begins just west of town.
Pass
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.
Scenic
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.
Food
TakakaRestaurant · Golden Bay's laid-back hub with excellent cafes and a strong artisan scene. A good lunch stop before continuing north.
End
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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