From Nelson to Abel Tasman, Takaka and the Top of the South
A four-day trip on SH60 from Nelson over Takaka Hill to Golden Bay and the sand spit at the northern tip.
- Distance
- 148 km (92 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 37 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 8, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 148 km (92 mi) with 11 stops, from Nelson to Wharariki Beach. About 1 h 37 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
SH6 and SH60 run along Tasman Bay from Nelson to Richmond and on through Māpua and Motueka, about 50 km. The Māpua wharf is a pleasant stop for fish and chips, and the Moutere hills have orchards and small wineries. Motueka is the last big town for supplies before Abel Tasman, and a good place to fill your fuel tank.
A sealed side road from Motueka runs about 15 km to Kaiteriteri and about 20 km to Marahau, the start of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Water taxis, kayaks and walking tracks leave from both places. Book Great Walk huts and campsites through DOC well ahead for summer, and arrive early for car parking. Crowds peak in January, and spring and autumn are quieter, with easier parking and booking.
SH60 then climbs Takaka Hill, 791 metres with many tight bends, over about 30 km. Use low gear, give way to uphill traffic and use pull-offs. Ngārua Caves is a stop near the summit. In Golden Bay, Takaka is the main town; Te Waikoropupū Springs lies 7 km northwest. Weather on the hill can shut the road, so check NZTA.
Continue north on SH60 to Collingwood, about 25 km from Takaka, then along a smaller road to Puponga and Farewell Spit; guided tours only on the spit itself. Wharariki Beach is reached by a gravel road and a 20-minute farm walk. Services are sparse here, so refuel in Takaka, and book campsites before summer weekends. The Golden Bay loop is a long drive back, so allow a full day for the return to Nelson.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Nelson
New Zealand - 219 km
Māpua Wharf
FoodRichmond, New ZealandA refurbished wharf village on the Waimea Inlet with fish and chip shops, cafes and a small ice-cream stand. Take the short ferry to Rabbit Island or walk the estuary path; parking near the wharf fills up on warm weekends.
- 321 km
Motueka
New Zealand - 48 km
Kaiteriteri Beach
NatureMotueka, New ZealandA golden-sand beach at the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, where water taxis and kayaks leave for the coast. The beach car park fills quickly in summer; arrive before ten or use the overflow area above the village.
- 56 km
Marahau and Abel Tasman Coast Track Start
NatureMotueka, New ZealandThe southern trailhead of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which runs past golden beaches and clear coves through native forest. Day walks to Coquille Bay and Apple Tree Bay are manageable; huts and campsites on the Great Walk require booking through DOC.
- 612 km
Ngārua Caves, Takaka Hill
OdditiesTakaka, New ZealandGuided tours through a marble cave on the summit of Takaka Hill, passing stalactites and the bones of extinct moa. SH60 climbs 800 metres here with hairpins and narrow sections, so campervans should slow down, drive in low gear and use the pull-offs.
- 722 km
Takaka
New Zealand - 85 km
Te Waikoropupū Springs
NatureTakaka, New ZealandLarge freshwater springs of exceptional clarity, a few kilometres from Takaka, with a boardwalk through beech forest and viewing platforms. The springs are sacred to Māori; swimming and touching the water are prohibited. Allow about an hour for the loop.
- 927 km
Collingwood
New Zealand - 1023 km
Farewell Spit and Puponga Lookout
NatureCollingwood, New ZealandThe longest sand spit in New Zealand, a nature reserve and internationally important bird site, with a viewing platform at Puponga. Vehicle access to the spit is only with licensed guided tours; check tide times and expect strong wind on the dunes.
- 115 km
Wharariki Beach
NatureCollingwood, New ZealandA wild west-coast beach with arch rocks, caves, high dunes and a fur seal colony, reached by a 20-minute walk across farmland. The gravel road from Puponga takes about 15 minutes; avoid walking in at high tide or in rough weather.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Nelson → Motueka · 39 km · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Māpua Wharf.
- Day 2: Motueka → Ngārua Caves, Takaka Hill · 27 km · 0 h 18 minOn the way: Kaiteriteri Beach, Marahau and Abel Tasman Coast Track Start.
- Day 3: Ngārua Caves, Takaka Hill → Collingwood · 54 km · 0 h 36 minOn the way: Takaka, Te Waikoropupū Springs.
- Day 4: Collingwood → Wharariki Beach · 28 km · 0 h 18 minOn the way: Farewell Spit and Puponga Lookout.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is From Nelson to Abel Tasman, Takaka and the Top of the South?
4-day road trip of about 148 km (92 mi) with 11 stops, from Nelson to Wharariki Beach. About 1 h 37 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for From Nelson to Abel Tasman, Takaka and the Top of the South?
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 37 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does From Nelson to Abel Tasman, Takaka and the Top of the South start and end?
It starts in Nelson and ends in Wharariki Beach.
Which states does From Nelson to Abel Tasman, Takaka and the Top of the South pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for From Nelson to Abel Tasman, Takaka and the Top of the South?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
