Even though Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park, it is a coastal heaven with the most pristine golden sand beaches, turquoise water, dense forest, and tons of wildlife. Although it can be visited year-round, do check the weather since sunnier days will be much more enjoyable. It was undoubtedly one of our favorite sites during the time we’ve spent in the country.
New Zealand is doing a great job preserving the park, which is still largely undeveloped and unspoiled. You cannot wander around by car, so make sure you go through all the necessary arrangements before getting there.
In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to enjoy your time at this outstanding destination.
ABEL TASMAN COASTAL WALK
The first decision you need to make is whether you want to visit just a portion of the track or if you’re willing to explore the whole Abel Tasman Coastal Walk. Being one of the 10 great walks of New Zealand, it is about 60km long and takes around 3-5 days to complete. Along the trail, you will find huts and campsites belonging to the Department of Conservation (DOC) where you can stay overnight. Otherwise, there are private lodges that you can easily book through the tour providers.
If you’re ready to embark on this adventure, check the DOC official website with all the information you’ll need to prepare your journey.
If you don’t have time for a multi-day adventure, you can still experience Abel Tasman as a day trip like we did!
PREPARE YOU DAY-TRIP ADVENTURE
- Water taxi from Kaiteriteri to Totaranui with stops along to way to catch some marine life and get to know some informative curiosities
- Water taxi from Totaranui to Torrent Bay
- Walk from Torrent Bay to Bark Bay, taking us about 2 hours to complete. We scheduled our final pick up ride for later, to be able to spend some time relaxing in Bark Bay after finishing the walk.
- Water taxi from Bark Bay to Kaiteriteri
WHERE TO STAY OUTSIDE THE PARK
If you’re not staying in Abel Tasman overnight, there are plenty of options to sleep nearby. Your trip will most probably start in the morning, so it’s best to plan at least a 2 nights stay. Nelson is the biggest city nearby, located about an hour away from Kaiteriteri, where there are a lot of accommodation and dining choices. We found a cozy Airbnb in the town of Motueka, which was only a 20 minutes drive from the entrance of the Park, and where we’ve visited a magical spot recommended by the locals called Riwaka Resurgence. You can also check Mapua and Richmond for even more options.
Like it? Pin and share it!
Add a Comment