Visiting Abel Tasman National Park during your road trip through New Zealand

One of the most beautiful and accessible national parks on New Zealand's South Island is Abel Tasman National Park. This park is located right at the northern tip of the South Island, in the Nelson Tasman region, and is renowned for its golden beaches, crystal-clear blue water, lush green forests and relaxed atmosphere.

Abel Tasman is New Zealand's smallest national park, but don't let that fool you. Precisely because the park is so compact, you can see and do an enormous amount in a short time. It's an ideal stop during a road trip around the South Island, especially if you want to alternate between mountains, lakes and coast.

What makes Abel Tasman so special is that you can experience the park in multiple ways. You can walk, kayak, take a water taxi or combine different options. This makes the park suitable for almost every traveller, whether you have one day or want to stay for several days.

What can you do in Abel Tasman National Park?

Most travellers visit Abel Tasman for the combination of walking and water. The coastline is stunning and consists of bays, beaches, rock formations and patches of native bush. Because many spots aren't accessible by car, the park feels wonderfully remote at times, even though it's relatively easy to visit.

The most famous activity is the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks. This complete route is approximately 60 kilometres long and runs along the coast between Marahau and Wainui or Tōtaranui. The entire track usually takes 3 to 5 days, but you certainly don't need to do the full walk to enjoy the park. Many travellers actually opt for a day walk or combine a short hike with a water taxi.

Abel Tasman Coast Track

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is the park's most famous walk and one of New Zealand's most popular hiking routes. The track runs largely along the coast and takes you past beaches, viewpoints, forests and tranquil bays.

What makes this track so enjoyable is that you can decide how much of it you want to do. You can do a multi-day walk with overnight stays in DOC huts or campsites, but you can also walk a short section and then be picked up by a water taxi. The huts and campsites along the Great Walk must be booked in advance, especially during busy periods.

Popular sections for a day walk include, for example, Marahau to Anchorage, Bark Bay to Anchorage or Awaroa to Totaranui. Which route suits best depends on how much time you have and whether you want to make use of a water taxi. I myself got dropped off by water taxi at Bark Bay and walked back to the starting point Marahau. This was about 25 km and one of the most beautiful walks I've done in New Zealand.

Kayaking in Abel Tasman

Besides walking, kayaking is perhaps the most beautiful way to experience Abel Tasman National Park. From the water you see the coastline in a completely different way. You paddle past golden beaches, rocks, small islands and quiet bays where you can stop along the way for a break.

Many travellers choose a half or full day of kayaking, often with a guide. That's especially nice if you have little experience or want to learn more about the area. Around Adele Island and Tonga Island you have a chance to see seals and other wildlife. For many people this is one of the most enjoyable activities in Abel Tasman.

You can also combine kayaking with hiking. For example, first paddle a stretch along the coast by kayak and then walk back via part of the Coast Track. It's precisely this combination that makes Abel Tasman so unique.

Water taxi in Abel Tasman

A water taxi is almost indispensable if you want to visit Abel Tasman in a flexible way. Because many beaches and bays are not accessible by car, water taxis take you to various points along the coast.

This makes it very easy to put together a day trip. You can, for example, be dropped off at a beach, walk for a few hours and be picked up at another location. Even if you walk the full Coast Track, a water taxi is often used to return to your starting point.

For travellers with limited time, this is ideal. You still see a beautiful part of the park, without having to set aside multiple days.

Accommodation in Abel Tasman National Park

If you're travelling by Campervan through New Zealand, you can stay overnight in the area around Marahau, Kaiteriteri or Motueka. Marahau and Kaiteriteri in particular are popular bases for day trips, water taxis and kayak tours.

If you want to stay overnight in the park itself during the Coast Track, you can use DOC huts and campsites. You need to book these in advance, because the Abel Tasman Coast Track is a Great Walk and can be very popular, especially during high season.

View 'Campsites in New Zealand'

Practical tips for Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman has a relatively mild and sunny climate, but it's still New Zealand. So always bring a rain jacket, plenty of water, sunscreen and good shoes. Even if you're only doing a short walk, it's smart to head out well prepared.

Additionally, pay close attention to the tides. Some sections of the Coast Track, such as at Awaroa, are tide-dependent. Therefore, check the times beforehand, especially if you're walking independently without a guide.