More time to spend? Why not check out these other 'great' walks at the top of the South Island! We can assist with track packages for the following - click these links for more information:
People who love the outdoors have been attracted to the Abel Tasman National Park for generations. It encapsulates the magic of natural New Zealand with stunning vistas, golden sandy beaches, the unique New Zealand forest and birdlife. But there is more ….
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track meanders along the western side of Tasman Bay and here, long before humans arrived in NZ, our wonderful forest and birdlife reined supreme.This sheltered coastline then provided the Maori people with a haven and a plentiful food supply, and more recently hardy European settlers made this area their home.
Today, a National Park – New Zealand’s smallest and preserved for ever, we can all enjoy the natural beauty of this still remote part of New Zealand’s pristine wilderness. The track is open all year round and it’s blessed with a wonderful mild climate which regularly vies for the most sunshine hours in New Zealand.
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is 41.4 kms long between Marahau and Totaranui and most people walk it in 3 or 4 days (there are 3 days walking, the 4th day is a rest day). There are many side tracks, offering all sorts of greater exploration – to beaches, bays, pools and viewpoints to enhance the experience.
The track being by the sea is serviced well by water taxis so each day you walk with a backpack and your bag appears at the next accommodation. And being a National Park this is a 'walkers only' track.
It is very well formed, being mostly benched and very well maintained, the gradients by and large are gentle with few steeper ones and most creeks and rivers are bridged. However there are tidal crossings across the inlets behind some of the sandy beaches and in these we are governed by the tides (all but two have high tide tracks). We do recommend that you bring wet shoes for these crossings as we do cross small streams within these tidal inlets.
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is the track for just about everyone as the days are very achievable distances. We do recommend a reasonable level of fitness; after all you still have to walk over 41kms over 3 days. Hiking shoes are very good for walking this track, and hiking boots will serve your feet well too. Wet shoes, croc or neoprene types are best for crossing the tidal inlets (bare feet are not recommended as we walk over some sharp shell patches).
The wonderful thing about this track is that there are so many options. Lots of walking, less walking, kayaking, swimming, different accommodation types and much more.
We do take a flexible approach to each client’s desires and endeavour to make every trip a unique and individual experience. Our options include:
Guided walking packages – for the folks who want to combine there walking experience with a knowledgeable interpretive New Zealand guide/trip manager. Excellent dining, an exploration of New Zealand wines and wonderful accommodations round out these packages.
Unguided track packages - for more independent hikers, who wish to walk the track at their own pace, some of these there are hotel or sailboat accommodations, partially catered and with bag transfers. You only carry a backpack! Others stay in DOC huts (bunkhouses) carry their own gear, with certain elements like accommodation & transportation pre arranged.