Barefoot Adventure Tours, Golden Bay, New Zealand

"Barefoot"tm Tours to the end of the world.

Nature Tours for the discerning.

These new format tours depart from Somerset House Backpackers, Collingwood. 27 kms from Takaka.

(Golden Bay Coachlines Bus leaves Takaka i site for Collingwood at 0900 hrs daily.)

Return transport to Takaka by arrangement.

The tour normally takes between five and six hours and includes a one-hour cliff top walk from Cape Farewell, the most northern part of the South Island, to Wharariki Beach.

This nature tour, for the young at heart, has a degree of adventure and excitement.

You will experience the wild freedom of Wharariki, the northernmost beach in the South Island.

It will push the boundaries of your comfort zone. You'll enter remote sea tunnels where the waves come roaring in.

You'll have sand between your toes and wind in your hair. Seals at your feet and bird life all around you.

a beachgoblin

You'll visit the bay that is world famous for whale strandings.

In December 2005 at Puponga, the Department of Conservation SAVED over 120 whales with the help of local volunteers and others from all over New Zealand.

The Farewell Spit Visitor Centre overlooks this area and has many interesting photos of whale strandings and bird life. The cafe is an excellent place to relax for a while. From the hill behind the Centre you will get a great beach view along Farewell Spit.

Collingwood is the home of Rosie Glow Chocolates, quite possibly one of the best chocolates in the world! Try them, we are sure you'll agree.

You may go up the Aorere River Valley to the Quartz Range Road and you'll be able to walk the high swing bridge over the river, rather like a tight-rope walker. Return via the Naked Possum, a craft centre and cafe, and saunter along the eastern Kaituna Track for an hour or so.

At Bainham you may meet Miss Lorna Langford, the owner of the little historic country store and post office, a mine of local stories. Lorna retired in May 2008, but the store is now run by her neice, Sukhita.

Alternatively, you may take the scenic drive along the Westhaven Inlet to the start of the Kaituna Track, an old gold mining and logging trail. You can then climb Knuckle Hill to enjoy the panoramic views from the top, maybe continue to Patarau Beach, on the wild West Coast.

This tour will give you a unique Golden Bay experience.

You will need to take a light daypack with warm sweater and waterproofs, in case !.

Pack some lunch and a bottle of water, hat and some sunscreen.

Wear strong walking/tramping shoes or boots.

Don't forget your camera, or to recharge your batteries !!

Relax and visit these amazing places either in our tour vehicle with a guide, your own car, by bicycle or Somerset rental car.

You'll have a great day!

TOUR MAP

Fares: from 6th February 2006.

Full Day Guided Tour. $240 for up to 4 persons.

Self drive Tour. Car rental, unlimited mileage, map and recommended itiniery. $50 for up to 4 persons. ie $12.50 pp. (Fuel in addition)

Walk / Cycle Tour to Wharariki.Transport to Pillar Point, maps and recommendations for the day, cycle back to Collingwood. 27 kms on flat picturesque roads along the coast. $15 pp. Max 2 people.

All prices in New Zealand Dollars, including GST (Goods & Services Tax)

Enquiries and reservations

Somerset House, Collingwood, Golden Bay, New Zealand

EMail cjledger@actrix.co.nz

Local phone: 524 8624

National: 03 524 8624

International: 0064 3 524 8624

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