Chetwood Forest and Harwood's Hole

Near the top of Takaka Hill, there's a signpost for Canaan's Road and Harwood's Hole. The 11km road is rough and unsealed, but takes you through patches of forest and stunning marble formations. Scenes from Chetwood Forest, near Brill, were set here. At the end of the road at Canaan you will find the start of a walking track through beech forest leading to Harwood's hole, New Zealand deepest vertical shaft. Because of the bush you will have a hard job seeing into it. Allow at least an hour and one half for the return trip. There are other short walks from Canaan as well as tramping tracks leading into the Abel Tasman National Park. Harwood's hole is a large vertical shaft that goes down to the limestone cave system of Takaka Hill, To descend into the hole you must be an experienced caver.