Tasman, New Zealand – Part 2

Part 2 – The Grove is a magical place that gives you a sense of walking through a Jurassic Park like jungle. You walk through limestone blocks, which have been sculpted into weird & wonderful shapes by water over time. These are surrounded by the tentacle-like roots of northern rātā trees that hang down many of the blocks which creates an eerie atmosphere. There are also lots of Nīkau palms here too and their huge dead fronds litter the ground below your feet. The walk to the viewing platform is through a cleft in between the limestone rocks. Just so stunning. We are also followed by a flighty little fantail who just wouldn’t stay still long enough to have its picture taken!

Pohara – we have an overnight stop here before heading into the National Park – driving through a cleft in giant rocks is great fun! Excuse the muddy windscreen – gravel roads generate a lot of dust!

Tata Beach – WOW! What a fantastic way to start the day. A superb flat white from The Skinny Sparrow Cafe – which is part of Golden Bay Kayaks.

Totaranui – Don drives over the hill to Totaranui. This is one challenging drive and I am so grateful that it is Don doing it. This is the northern end of the main Able Tasman coastal walk and so it is only right that we do a walk here. We walk from Totaranui Beach through bush to Anapai Bay. This is a two hour return walk but if like us you decide to take your togs & lunch, it might take a little longer! Both Totaranui and Anapai beaches are breath taking. I certainly struggled a bit with the steepness at some points of the walk but my word…the views! We are camped at the DoC campsite and we are surrounded by some feathered friends – cheeky wekas, pukekos, seagulls and a paradise duck!

Takaka – is a town that includes a great many people choosing to live alternative lifestyles and it is full of character. There is a great deal of art of all description here – music, painting, sculpture. To a London girl, it feels like a very hippy place.

After lunch, we stay at a PoP for the night before driving over the Takaka Hill to Marahau which will be our last night in the National Park.

Split Apple Rock – We hoof it 15 minutes down a steep trail (called Moonraker Way) to a small beach from where you can see Split Apple Rock.

Kaiteriteri – This town is the southern gateway to the Able Tasman National Park. It was, not surprisingly, super busy. This is where people either start or finish their walk, kayak or day trip around or to the National Park. We have flat whites and a date scone before Don decides to throw his togs on and go for a swim!

Ruby Bay – This is a gorgeous little Bay and a great place to stop for lunch. Rather bizarely, most of the stones and rocks on the beach are super smooth, flat and almost round.

Mapua Wharf – last stop on our Tasman travels. Regenerated area that is filled with small independent retailers, cafes & restaurants. There’s a maritime museum actually on the wharf whose timbers are beautifully weather worn. We couldn’t believe how quickly the estuary water was flowing. No wonder they have a sign that says – swim at your own risk!