Golden Bay

Thank goodness for Gregg's stubbornness.  I scoffed at his suggestion to go up and over the (big) hill to Golden Bay at the north of the South Island.  We were 'supposed to' be heading south, far south, and this was completely the other way and off the route.

Golden Bay is gorgeous.  One of my new favourite places in New Zealand.  Because it is more off the beaten track, it is also less packed with tourists, and it has so many hidden treasures.

Number one treasure is Wharariki Beach.  It takes quite a while to get there, but by golly is it worth it.  Wide open beach; hardly anyone there; limestone formations to die for, including caves and rockpools to explore to your heart's content.  To top it all off, multiple seals and seal pups hang out at some of the rock pools while the tide is out, the little black pups frolicking and squealing in the pools.  I could have watched them for hours!

We explored the beaches and the cliffs, enjoyed scrummy beer and food at the Mussell Inn (their Monkey Puzzle beer is spectacular, we would have brought home a case if they'd had an off-license), scoffed AMAZING chocolate from Rosy Glow (Collingwood), browsed the many and varied arts and crafts galleries, and generally had a bloody marvellous time!