Tākaka Hill (Harwoods Hole & Ngārua Caves)
Tākaka Hill
A karst highland known as “Marble Mountain”, with the 176-metre-deep Harwood Hole and the Ngarua Caves, which contain moa bones.
To reach Golden Bay you have to cross Takaka Hill on State Highway 60, which has many bends. The hilltop is marble karst landscape. Harwood Hole is one of New Zealand's deepest vertical shafts, dropping about 176 metres. From the end of Canaan Road, it's roughly a 45-minute walk to the viewing point over the hole. There are no railings, so stay well back from the edge. The Ngarua Caves beside the road offer guided tours, where you can see stalactites and moa bones. Opening seasons and times should be confirmed in advance. The hilltop viewing platform looks out over Tasman Bay.
Opening hours
Open all day (cave tours seasonal)
Nearby sights
- Riuwaka Resurgence
- Wainui Falls
- Te Waikoropupū Springs
- Marahau
- Awaroa Beach
- Split Apple Rock
- Cleopatra's Pool
- Kaiteriteri Beach