The Wild Side
Golden sand, clear water and wild coastline
8 destinationsThe top of the South is where the water goes clear and the sand goes gold. Rivers you can see straight to the bottom of, a spit that runs for miles out to sea, and seals on the rocks at Kaikoura. Follow the coast south and the Tasman starts throwing itself at rock that took millions of years to form.
Abel Tasman
Kiwi Kids BottleGolden sand beaches, clear turquoise water and easy coastal walking make this the most popular national park in the country, and for good reason. The Coast Track winds between beach after beach, and kayaking is one of the best ways to reach the quiet coves you cannot get to on foot. Water taxis let you walk one way and cruise back, so you can tailor it to any energy level.
Farewell Spit
A long, curving arm of golden sand reaching out from the very top of the South Island, the longest natural sandspit in the country. It is a protected wetland and a haven for thousands of seabirds, with vast tidal flats that seem to go on forever at low tide. Most of the spit is a nature reserve, so the far end is explored by guided tour, but the views from the base are enormous.
Nelson Lakes
Two beautiful glacier-carved lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, sitting at the northern end of the Southern Alps. The little village of St Arnaud on the shore is the gateway, and the famous jetty on Lake Rotoiti with mountains reflected in the still water is one of the most photographed scenes in the region. Great for a swim, a paddle, or serious tramping up into the alpine.
Riuwaka Resurgence
The spot where the Riuwaka River emerges cold and crystal clear straight out of the base of Takaka Hill, having flowed underground through the marble. A short, gentle walk through mossy native forest leads you to the still, glassy pool at the source. It is a peaceful, sacred place to Maori, and the water is astonishingly clear.
Pelorus River
Some of the clearest fresh water you will ever see, running over smooth rock into deep green swimming holes near Havelock. The pools around the old road bridge are perfect for a summer dip or leaping off the rocks, and the spot was memorable enough to feature in the Hobbit films. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it.
Kaikoura Peninsula
Kiwi Kids BottleSeals lounging on the rocks, mountains dropping straight into the sea, and some of the best whale watching in the world just offshore. The peninsula walkway loops along the clifftops and back along the shore, and you will almost certainly share the beach with a fur seal or two.
Pancake Rocks
Kiwi Kids BottleThese strange stacked rock formations look exactly like piles of pancakes sitting right at the edge of the Tasman Sea. When the swell is right the blowholes between the rocks send jets of water shooting up into the air. Walk the short loop and you will see why this is one of the most photographed spots on the West Coast.
Oparara Arches
Huge limestone arches hidden deep in the ancient forest of Kahurangi National Park, with a tannin-stained river the colour of honey winding beneath them. The largest arch is a cathedral of rock draped in moss and ferns, reached by a walk through some of the oldest bush in the country. Remote and down a rough road, but genuinely one of a kind.
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