Abel Tasman National Park
tourist information at the Motueka i-Site.

Beach and Bush - With its mild and sunny climate, curving beaches of golden sand, large tranquil lagoons, and forested hills stretching down to meet the clear turquoise coastal water, the Abel Tasman National Park is a coastal paradise!

At only 23,000 hectares this is New Zealand's smallest national park, but one of its most famous. Along with the coastal bays, lagoons and sparkling golden beaches of the famous 'Great Walk', the Abel Tasman also contains beautiful Beech forests, bizarre marble 'karst' landscapes and a spectacular system of caves in its lesser known interior.

The gentle terrain and year round mild climate attracts people of all ages, in all seasons. Camping, walking, swimming, fishing, sailing, cruising and sea-kayaking make this a very popular Summer holiday destination, yet it is equally beautiful in Autumn, Winter and Spring. In Winter the atmosphere becomes almost spiritual - the park is gentle, quiet and stunningly beautiful, with fewer people, mild temperatures and calm seas perfect for kayaking. Come immerse yourself, spend time and go home rejuvenated with the natural rush that is Abel Tasman.

The park's southern entrance is at Marahau only 30 minutes from Motueka and the park's northern entrance - Wainui or Totaranui is reached via Takaka Hill and Golden Bay. Bus services are available to either entrance throughout the year from Motueka and Nelson. Inland routes and access points link the coastal track with the park's higher reaches. Water based operators at Marahau and Kaiteriteri provide scheduled year round water taxi and cruise services, while helicopter and light plane access is possible to and from Awaroa.

The Abel Tasman Coastal Track (Great Walk of New Zealand)
Stretching between Marahau and Wainui Bay, this easy, undulating
52 km coastal track can be walked in either direction - independently or guided. Most take 3 - 5 days to complete the full length of the track, which traverses the park's coastline through coastal forest beside idyllic sand beaches and across large tidal inlets and estuaries.

The relatively short distance between huts (31/2 - 4 hrs) makes it suitable for families and allows time for relaxing. Consideration for tide times is essential when planning - the tidal estuary at Awaroa can be safely crossed only 1 1/2 hrs before and 2 hours after low tide, and the narrow channel at Onetahuti Beach approximately 3 hours either side of low tide.

A number of water transport operators offer a range of scheduled scenic cruises, day walk options and transport between Kaiteriteri, Marahau and Totaranui. Sea kayaking is also a popular way to explore the park's extensive coastline and become 'one to one' with nature. Launching from Marahau or Kaiteriteri, there are a number of kayak companies offering a multitude of options for both guided and independent rentals.

Vital Information. What you need to know when planning your trip.

The 51 km Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks. Situated in Abel Tasman National Park, near Nelson, New Zealand, it is suitable for people of all ages and can usually be walked in 3-5 days. The track can also be accessed by kayak, or through commercial water transport services.

Planning your trip
The coast track is managed by the Department of Conservation and is open to visitors throughout the year. The Department of Conservation (DOC), provides a range of accommodation along the track. Including four huts, 21 campsites and the Totaranui campground. There are charges for the use of
these facilities, and visitors must purchase their passes to use these facilities before starting the track.

Please note that there is a two consecutive night limit on staying in any one hut or campsite
throughout the year.

Tide times
To help you plan your trip, check www.doc.govt.nz. This will give you tide times for the next 2 months. Planning further out - visit Land Information New Zealand's site. You will need to select the tide times
for Nelson, and subtract 20 minutes from all readings to get times for the Abel Tasman National Park

Huts
Huts have heating, toilets, bunks, mattresses and a water supply. No cooking facilities are provided, so visitors should carry a cooking stove.

The booking of hut and campsites is year round. To book hut or camp space you will need to book directly with the Department on Conservation via their website, or the firendly team at the Motueka i-Site Visitor Centre can do it for a small booking fee.

Please Remember

* Walkers should carry their own food, cooking utensils, lighting, sleeping bags, raincoat and warm clothes.

* Two tidal estuaries along the Coast Track have no track around them. Awaroa Estuary can be crossed approximately one-and-a-half hours before and two hours after low tide, and the narrow channel at Onetahuti Beach approximately three hours either side of low tide. Tide tables are posted along the track.

* Fire is a major threat to Abel Tasman National Park, particularly during summer. Open fires may only be lit in the fireplaces provided. Please ensure your fire is extinguished after use. Do not light fires on beaches or in strong winds.

* There are no rubbish facilities along the track, except a rubbish transfer station at Totaranui. All rubbish should be carried our of the park. Giardia has been found in some waterways along the coast.
It can be removed from water by boiling, chemical treatment or filtering.

* Wasps and sandflies can be a problem. Visitors should carry insect repellent, and antihistamine
in case of allergy.

* Please remember to 'sign in' and 'sign out' of the park at the beginning and end of your trip by
using intentions books provided.

Report any safety hazards - Safety Watch: 0800 999 005

More information on the Abel Tasman Coast Track is available by purchasing the Abel Tasman Coast Track brochure, and Abel Tasman National Park Parkmap. Or visit the Department of Conservation web-site: www.doc.govt.nz

Back-country hut tickets and Annual Hut Passes are not valid for hut use on the Coast Track
Camps. Each campsite has basic facilities, which may include a water supply, fireplaces and toilets. Not all campsites have fireplaces, so visitors should carry a cooking stove.

TRACK TIMES

Marahau road end -
Anchorage Hut (26 bunks)
4 hours, 11.5 km

Anchorage Hut -
Bark Bay (26 bunks)
3 hours, 9.5 km

Bark Bay Hut -
Awaroa Hut (22 bunks)
4 hours, 11.5km

Awaroa Hut
Whariwharangi Hut (18 bunks)
4.5 hours, 13 km

Whariwharangi Hut -
Wainui road-end
1.5 hours, 5.5 km

Launching from Marahau or Kaiteriteri, there are a number of kayak companies offering a multitude of options for both guided and independent rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pre book?
The peak tourism season in the region runs from mid-October to the end of April. There is a higher demand for most accommodation, activities and transport during this period, so pre-booking is recommended (particularly Dec - Jan). Both the huts and campsites within the Abel Tasman National Park need to be pre-booked all year round.

Where does kayaking start from?
To enable a full safety briefing and assessment of your kayaking abilities, all freedom rentals begin from Marahau or Kaiteriteri. With pre-planning and booking, it is possible to combine a one way kayak - walk option from the southern end of the park or join a guided trip from Anchorage, Bark Bay or Onetahuti.

What is the minimum age & group size for kayaking?
For safety reasons, most companies have a minimum age of 14yrs for all kayak rentals and guided trips. A minimum group size of 2 people is required for all freedom rentals.

Can I hire hiking/camping gear?
Whether it be a tramping pack or gas cooker, Motueka's outdoor stores happily supply all tramping essentials for purchase or hire. Many of the kayak companies and local backpackers also have a limited range of equipment available for hire.

Where can I leave my vehicle?
Public DOC car parks are located at either end of the track. Secure car parking is available at Old MacDonalds Farm (Marahau) for $5 per day and many operators offer safe car parking services for their pre-booked clients.

What is in the DOC huts?
All four huts on the Coastal Track have communal bunkrooms with bunk beds, mattresses, toilets, a water supply and heating. There are NO COOKING FACILITIES, GAS OR POWER... so you need to bring your own cooking stove/equipment & portable lighting. Limited filtered drinking water is available at the huts.