Spotlight on Golden Bay

Driving over the Tākaka Hill can be like taking a deep breath in - you feel the weight of the world come off your shoulders as soon as you descend from the top. While Golden Bay has been a favourite getaway for people from all corners of the globe, we’re the lucky ones who have it in our backyard. So we’ve compiled a list of some of the bay’s must-do activities and places to visit next time you head over the hill into paradise.

Local history told with flair

Constantly updated displays tell the stories of Golden Bay and its history in a traditional museum setting with a temporary exhibition space that changes twice a year. Open six days.

Helping you with what you need to know

Bookings for accommodation, activities, attractions, transport, flights, DOC sites, walks and souvenirs. All the information you need when planning your stay in and around the Golden Bay region.

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Collectables and home-made goods

With a café and art gallery, this general store and post office that has been providing essentials to the Bainham community and travellers since 1928 is now a jewel in the crown of essential places to experience in Golden Bay, and a place where collections and connections can be found and made.

Stylish gifts

Located centrally in Tākaka, Pohutukawa Gallery has a fabulous range of gifts, clothing, homeware, bags and more. You will surely find something to take home or to the bach. Open Mon-Fri 10-5 and Sat 10-1.

The natural world in acrylic

EarthSea Gallery displays Peter’s original paintings, a range of fine art giclee prints, along with greeting cards. Relax and absorb the perfection and ambiance of his work in stunning Clifton.

Haberdashery and sewing

Stitch ‘n Sew is the home of specialty items. Exquisite fabrics, wools, cottons and so much more. Craft ideas for beginners to experts with friendly advice always on hand.

Crafters of traditional wooden baskets

Tony makes the time-honoured Sussex Trug, Devon Maund and his very own flower and herb baskets. These classical heritage items are formed using traditional wood craft practices from untreated, locally sourced and sustainablygrown timber. They are light, strong and will last you a lifetime.

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Art lovers haven

Art Vault is one of the best galleries in New Zealand. Showcasing 60 diverse local artists, giving visitors a taste of the unique and exceptional talent of what Golden Bay artists have to offer.

Historic house and cottages

Book your next stay at the historic Station House Motel, to relax and recharge while you explore the delights of Golden Bay. Located in the heart of Collingwood township and just a stone’s throw away from the beach. It’s the perfect place to stay.

Art collective in the heart of Tākaka

Paper Scissors Rock Gallery is an art collective of local, established and emerging artists, showcasing a unique range of paintings, jewellery, textiles, printmaking and ceramics, all handcrafted in Golden Bay.

Bodywork with a difference

In beautiful Pohara you will find a unique kind of bodywork; structural integration, which looks at bodywide posture, alignment and movement patterns aiming to reduce structural stress and make you feel more at home in your body.

Relax and enjoy a world-famous beer

The Mussel Inn is in the heart of Mohua/Golden Bay. The atmosphere is relaxed, fare simple and wholesome; beers, ciders and soft drinks are all brewed onsite and live music features regularly.

Catch your lunch or dinner

You’ll find a magical spot on Lake Anatoki to cast your line and land your lunch. Free use of fishing gear and no experience required. Feel the thrill of catching your own food, then have your salmon hot smoked or sliced into sashimi ready to eat in the cafe.

The Mussel Inn 03 525 9241 | musselinn.co.nz

Memorabillia from the early days

Appropriately sited in the old Collingwood Cheese Factory, featuring all manner of early tractors, farm machinery and implements, vehicles, horse gear and a wide range of settlers’ items, a library, plus a working steam section. Open daily.

Anatoki Salmon anatokisalmon.co.nz. 230 McCallum Road, Tākaka

A Kiwi classic

It’s a holiday must, to enjoy classic Kiwi fish and chips. Bay Takeaway offers fresh fish, massive burgers, tasty wraps and other delicious goodies to enjoy. They have the best fish and chips in the bay. Open seven days, 11.30am to 7.30pm.

Rockville Machinery & Settlers Museum

03 524 8131

869 Collingwood-Bainham Main Road, Rockville

Not just a petrol station

Tākaka Fuels and Fishing is the place to go for NPD fuel, fishing rods, tackle from Shimano, Penn and Blackmagic, ammo and local information on the best fishing spots in the Bay or where to go for a bit of hunting. Open seven days.

Bay Takeaway 03 525 8225

44a Commercial St Tākaka |

Ethical handcrafted jewellery

The beauty of Aotearoa, New Zealand, serves as inspiration for their handcrafted products. StoneArrow Jewellery specialise in creating exquisite jewellery from repurposed materials, each piece reimagined with authenticity and purpose.

Tākaka Fuels and Fishing

03 525 7305

2 Commercial St, Tākaka |

StoneArrow Jewellery 03 525 6232 | stonearrow.co.nz

44A Commercial St, Tākaka |

Celebrating seafood Our people, produce and place

Nelson is home to Australasia’s largest seafood processing port, so it makes sense that we are hosting Seafood Saturday– a celebration of kaimoana and the kaimahi who bring it to us, from sea to table.

Brought to you by Seafood New Zealand, this inaugural event on 25 March places great seafood at the centre of the day.

“Seafood Saturday is a fun and delicious way to celebrate everything great about seafood – from the people who harvest, process, distribute and cook it, through to the amazing range of kaimoana that Aotearoa New Zealand has to offer,” says Seafood New Zealand chief executive Dr Jeremy Helson.

Nelson’s festival quarter at the top of Trafalgar Street will host a ticketed multi-plate seafood and wine experience under two festival marquees, prepared by chefs from Hawker House, Hopgood’s Restaurant, The Vic Public House, Burger Culture, Kiwi Kai and Oceano Restaurant at Rutherford Hotel Nelson.

For those not at the degustation meal, there is goodness to be had in the FirstMate Community Zone, featuring a ‘build your own burger’ bar thanks to Burger Culture and Sealord, and free fish and chips for children, thanks to The Vic Public House and Sealord.

A fish filleting demonstration will be on show, and the Nelson Provincial Museum will host oceanthemed activities. And for those curious about careers, Seafood Saturday will be a chance to meet people in different seafood industry roles and have a chat.

The purpose of Seafood Saturday is also to highlight the importance of fishing and seafood production to the ‘blue economy’.

“Bringing Seafood Saturday to Nelson highlights the importance of the blue economy to Nelson and the Top of the South – where economic value is created from sustainable marine activities such as aquaculture and fishing,” says Helson.

Fiona Wilson, chief executive of the Nelson Regional Development Agency, welcomes this new event that showcases the region’s fresh seafood produce.

“We are excited to see Nelson host this inaugural seafood celebration. The ocean economy is one of our three key production and processing industries, alongside forestry and horticulture,” says Wilson.

“Nelson is home to Australasia’s largest seafood processing port. Te Tauihu is also the region with New Zealand’s highest share of employment dedicated to food production from the ocean, with around 2,600 jobs in fishing, aquaculture and processing, about five per cent of all employment across the region – let alone the many people who work in industries that support the sector.”

Sealord chief executive officer Doug Paulin says Sealord is thrilled to be supporting an event that recognises the importance of the seafood sector to the Nelson Tasman community.

“The Sealord whānau are everything to us,” says Paulin. “Last year we all worked together to renew our vision, which is now ‘Doing right by our whānau and the environment to bring quality seafood to the world,’ and we do that from right here in Nelson.

“We are looking forward to celebrating with the public at Seafood Saturday on 25 March,” he says.

Seafood Saturday

12pm - 4pm | 25 March 2023

Upper Trafalgar St, Nelson seafoodsaturday.nz

What’s On

For updated information visit itson.co.nz

4 March

Marchfest

Marchfest is a unique craft beer and music festival. Enjoy over 15 specially brewed beers, great music, things for kids and local cuisine, cider and wine.

10 & 11 March BLUES BROTHERS AND COMMITMENTS SHOW BY CAPITAL CITY

This amazing 11 piece band from Christchurch plays all the hits from two of the best soundtracks of all time. Tickets just $30 for show. Show plus 2 course buffet $45.

19 March

Multicultural Festival

Celebrate ‘Unity in Diversity.’ Choose from a number of tantalizing food stalls that will delight your senses. Check out the arts and crafts and community/educational stalls. Enjoy the music, songs, and dance from around the world.

23 March TOM RODWELL

Cult calypso-blues guitarist plays songs from his witty, sensual and shapeshifting album “Wood & Waste.”

Check out what’s happening in the region!

25 March THE SOUNDS OF STAGE AND SCREEN

Under the baton of Nigel E Weeks and featuring no less than five current national champions and multiple current and past members of the National Band of New Zealand, NBS Nelson City Brass is one of New Zealand’s premier brass ensembles.

On now - 17 March ABUNDANCE

Although Grant Palliser is most well-known for his large sculptures that are scattered throughout the Nelson region, this exhibition features Grant’s paintings influenced by his experiences of the tides, the birds, the everchanging weather and the skies of Māpua.

19 March

Tattletale Saints In The Summertime

Celebrating their new album, Cy Winstanley and Vanessa McGowan dive deep into old set lists, with fresh takes of everything from old country traditionals and bluegrass to reggae and 70’s pop.