Abel Tasman National Park, on the northwestern edge of the South Island, was one of my favorite destinations of my six-week New Zealand road trip. This is truly a slice of paradise: pristine sandy beaches, epic hiking trails, a remote stillness and sense of peace. I had just a short amount of time here, but I did my best to make the most. Here’s my guide for visiting Abel Tasman!
How to Get to Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is located in the South Island’s northwest. It’s one place where you’ll definitely want your own vehicle – there are limited public transportation options to get here. North of Marahau, there are no roads along the coast until Totaranui – so you’ll need to travel by water taxi. The main hubs in the park are Marahau and Kaiteriteri, which have the most access by land and water. Abel Tasman is approximately a one-hour drive from Nelson, the nearest big city. Better Bus runs bus services between Nelson and Motueka/Marahau. eBus runs from Nelson to Motueka from Monday-Friday.
What to Do in Abel Tasman National Park
Outdoor activities reign supreme in Abel Tasman: swimming, hiking, and kayaking are all very popular here. This is definitely one destination to experience on the water, so be sure to opt for a kayak or boat ride at some point – you’ll see spots you would never be able to see from land!
Kayaking to Anchorage Bay and hiking back along the coastal track to Marahau was easily the best thing I did in Abel Tasman. This cost $135 per person (minimum two people), and took all day. I booked through Abel Tasman Kayaks. I really wanted this specific itinerary, as a one-way water taxi to Anchorage Bay was pricey to begin with – I might as well spend a bit more and go kayaking!
While I did feel a bit rushed – we returned to Marahau in the dark, despite leaving our kayaks half an hour earlier than the deadline – it was an excellent way to explore the Abel Tasman coastline. We kayaked through the Astrolabe, explored lots of islands and pretty beaches, and finished at the beautiful Anchorage Bay. It took 3.5 hours (at a quick pace) to hike from Anchorage Bay back to Marahau.
Seeing the fur seals on Adele Island was another highlight of Abel Tasman for me. This was the major benefit of kayaking and exploring from the water: being able to access places you wouldn’t be able to otherwise! I saw so many seals, laying out on the rocks or bobbing along in the water near the shore. If you’re kayaking through the Astrolabe, be sure to paddle around here.
Hiking to Yellow Point would be my top pick for an out-and-back hike along the coast, from Marahau. This is a 15km hike, which will take about 4 to 6 hours in total, depending on your pace and if you stop along any of the beaches for swimming. It’s a little far to get all the way to Anchorage Bay and back in a single day on foot, but Yellow Point is a pretty spot next to the water.
Split Apple Rock is another must-see destination in Abel Tasman. Located just outside Marahau, there’s limited parking here – but it’s just a short 10- to 15-minute walk down to the beach. A huge stretch of pristine sand greets you upon arrival. Split Apple Rock itself is a prominent feature, and so cool to see. If you’re wanting to go swimming, this is a great choice. Even though it was the middle of April and rather chilly, I still went swimming here!
Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track (Great Walk) for one epic adventure. This multi-day walk is one of the most popular in New Zealand. It’s 60km long, and most people will hike it over 3 to 5 days. You can start in Marahau and walk north, returning by water taxi – or you can take a water taxi to Totaranui to start, and walk back to Marahau. You’ll need to make a booking in order to complete this hike, plus you should have a solid idea of how long you intend to travel each day and where you’ll camp. I saw quite a few people doing this Great Walk, and it looks amazing!
Tonga Quarry to Anchorage (via Bark Bay and Torrent Bay) is a good option if you don’t mind spending the money on water taxis. Take a water taxi from Kaiteriteri to Tonga Quarry ($47 one-way, 1.5 hours), and then walk back to Anchorage. From here, you can catch a return boat ($41 one-way, 40 minutes) back. The walk is 13km and will take about 4 hours at low tide – at high tide it’ll take longer as you won’t be able to walk across some beaches. This was a highly recommended option, but it wasn’t in my budget due to needing to take water taxis both ways.
Planning Your Trip to Abel Tasman National Park
This is a beautiful national park in New Zealand, on the northwest part of the South Island. You’ll need a car to make the most of your adventure here – but you can get to the main hubs of Marahau or Kaiteriteri by bus. The nearest airport is Nelson airport. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Looking for more tours or activities in Abel Tasman? Check out these options below!
Where to Stay in Abel Tasman National Park
You’ll likely stay in either Marahau or Kaiteriteri, the two main hubs in the southern part of the national park. I stayed in Marahau, and really enjoyed being based here. It was easy to get to the starting point for the kayak trip (literally across the street from where I stayed) and the coastal track. It was a beautiful spot to catch the sunrise and sunset, and had a shop plus a smattering of restaurants/cafes/places to eat. I highly recommend catching happy hour (4-6pm) at Hooked on Marahau on the waterfront.
I stayed at Marahau Beach Camp for my two nights in Abel Tasman National Park. This campground/caravan park has a phenomenal location in Marahau, just steps from the water. At $50 per night, I was expecting to at least have hot showers included, and was disappointed to find that I had to pay an additional $2 (for 5 minutes) for a hot shower. Besides that, the facilities were excellent – toilets and showers were very clean, the kitchen was great, and they did offer free wifi. If you aren’t camping, they do have dorm rooms and family rooms available! It’s one of the cheapest budget-friendly options in Marahau, and I’d stay here again.
If you’re looking for other accommodation around Marahau or Abel Tasman National Park, here are a few recommendations:
- Budget: The Barn Cabins & Camp – plenty of options, from campsites and dorms to cute rooms and cabins
- Mid-range: Abbey Court Motel – comfortable studios and apartments, some with a mountain view, just outside the park in Motueka
- Luxury: Abel Tasman Lodge – plush rooms and studios, with welcoming staff and a top-notch location close to the beach
You can find more accommodation options using the map below!
My time in Abel Tasman National Park was far too short, but I absolutely loved it. Upon arrival, I instantly said, “I LOVE IT HERE!” As there aren’t roads through the national park, you’ll need to travel by water or on foot – so a trip here does require a bit more advance planning. It’s well worth it, as it’s paradise on earth in New Zealand. I hope this post helps planning a trip to Abel Tasman!
Have you visited Abel Tasman National Park before? What were your favorite places here?
You might also like my posts:
How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand for 6 Weeks? (2024 Budget)
Moving to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa: How to Start Your Life (2024 Guide)
How to Save Money Traveling New Zealand on a Budget
The Best Day Hikes Around Queenstown, New Zealand
Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Mount Sunday (Edoras)
The Most Epic Hike in Wanaka: What to Know About Roy’s Peak
All of my New Zealand posts!
Like this post? Pin it for later!
