Takaka and the Dancing Sands

After a major stock-up at the supermarket in Takaka, we took a wander along the main street and around the stalls at the weekly market there. It’s an interesting part of the country, which appears to attract a lot of people with what you might call ‘alternative’ lifestyles. A great place for people-watching!
We pulled into a picnic area next to the Takaka River and took our lunch down to the water’s edge to sit under a tree, as the weather today was sunny and hot. We had only been sitting there for a minute or two when we spied a seal cavorting in the river only a few metres away. Suddenly it sped up and dived… and came up with a trout wriggling in its mouth! Great entertainment.
Our walk today was at Te Waikoropūpū Springs, which translates as ‘bubbling waters from the throat of the spring’. As its name suggests, the water bubbles out of a series of springs at the bottom of deep pools of the clearest water, before rippling away downstream. You can see the sand moving as it is disturbed by the emerging water – one of the pools is called ‘dancing sands’. The walkway winds through native bush, past and over several spring-fed creeks of rushing water, and there are boardwalks and viewing platforms from where you can gaze into the pools and try to estimate their depth. The area is sacred to the local iwi, and you can see why – it is a very special place.
This weekend we are staying with some ex-neighbours of ours from Queensberry. Joanne and Simon moved up to Golden Bay a couple of years ago and have a beautiful home set in several acres of park-like grounds at Paton’s Rock, which is right on the coast. It has been really lovely catching up with them. Charlie has lent a hand both days, splitting wood for their winter store.Read more