Golden Bay is a shallow, paraboloid-shaped bay in New Zealand, the northern tip of the South Island. An arm of the Tasman Sea, the bay lies northwest of Nelson, Tasman Bay and Cook Strait.

Before you reach Golden Bay, you’ll enjoy an amazingly scenic road journey over the Takaka Hill, known also as ‘marble mountain’. There are signposted lookouts along the way and the subterranean marvels of Harwoods Hole (176 metres deep) and the Ngarua Caves shouldn’t be missed.

Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupu Springs) are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand. Indeed, they are the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere. And, with a clarity rating of 75m, they also contain some of the clearest water ever measured.

The springs are located on the other side of the hill, near the town of Takaka. They are a ‘wahi tapu’ — sacred place — to the local Maori tribe. Take a leisurely stroll around the walkways and read the interpretive panels along the way.