COLLINGWOOD Collingwood is the gateway to the Golden Bay and Farewell Spit. And, this fabulous little village, that certainly has all the essentials. The town was originally named Gibbstown after William Gibbs, but was later renamed Collingwood for Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood, Lord Nelson's second-in-command at the Battle of Trafalgar. Collingwood, was once, in the mid 1800’s a potential candidate location for the Capital of New Zealand. This consideration was at the time of the gold discoveries nearby. Ballarat and Bendigo, were also experiencing the gold rush fever and were growing rapidly. The authorities in England obviously felt Collingwood may do likewise. The actual growth of Collingwood was impeded firstly by three catastrophic fires, the first of which was in 1904, and then the isolation of the town. The Takaka Hill was not sealed until 1951 and prior to that a three day trek to Motueka was required. Collingwood in its early history was serviced with shipping lines and coastal frigates. The Museum in Collingwood is an absolute must. This is a gem in its simplicity, but gives an interesting insight into the early days of the township. The Anglican Church is a delightful structure located on a rise that looks over the village. The War Memorial has good profile on the town’s fringe. And, the hotel has a great position overlooking the tidal flats of the region. Also, just a short walking distance is an historic cemetery that is worth a look. Within the cemetery is a display board with a map of the ‘capital’ as it was planned. A great location; allow three days to enjoy including Farewell Spit.