Abel Tasman is a more off-the-beaten-track area of New Zealand, right up on the north coast of the South Island. But I think it’s worth the detour to see its sea in every shade of green and blue, its hidden golden beaches and its clear night sky glittering with stars. Here are five ways to experience Abel Tasman National Park.
Hire a kayak
What better way to get up close to the vibrant seas than to be out on it in a kayak?
There are several kayak-hire companies in Abel Tasman. It’s possible to book them in advance but we just turned up mid-morning and they had some available. They’ll take you through a safety briefing before letting you loose on the sea, and they’ll tell you what time you need to be back as this depends on the tides.
Once you get out in the kayak, paddle towards Adele Island and Fisherman Island where you can find fur seals. Admire the secluded beaches tucked into thick forest – you can land on them and have a rest before setting sail again.
Bear in mind that sea kayaking is quite a lot more strenuous than lake kayaking. Even the calmest sea will feel rougher than a lake.
Hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track
If you’re keen to stay active in Abel Tasman National Park, you can go on a hike: specifically, the Abel Tasman Coast Track, a 60km trail up the Park’s coastline.
You can either do the whole hike, which would take three to five days, or you can do a section of it. There is a water taxi between Mārahau and certain points on the coast so it’s fairly straightforward to organise transport one way if you’re just doing a section.
The track is well-marked and easy to follow so I would say that it would be achievable to complete the hike in three days. I wish I had had time to do it when I was in Abel Tasman National Park!
Take a boat trip
Another way to see Abel Tasman National Park’s stunning coastline is to take a boat trip. Various companies offer boat cruises for full or half days. You can also combine your boat tour with some walking.
A boat trip is a lovely way to experience a variety of scenic points along Abel Tasman’s coastline without having to organise getting to each place yourself.
Lie on the beach
If you just want to have a relaxing day then go and lie on the beach!
You are spoilt for choice of lovely beaches in Abel Tasman National Park. The closest main beach to Mārahau is Coquette Bay, about 45 minutes’ walk.
If you want a more secluded bay then you can walk further up to Apple Tree Bay or Akersten Bay.
I’d suggest bringing snacks as there are very limited places to buy it around these beaches. And make sure you bring suncream – the sun is strong in New Zealand!
Gaze at the night sky
This one’s a bit different from the tips I’ve given above, and I discovered it somewhat by accident. I stayed at a hostel/campsite where the toilets were in a separate building. I got up in the night to go to the toilet and stopped in my tracks when I glanced upwards. Not only could I see constellations and planets with crystal clarity but the night was so dark that I could even see tiny faraway stars in between the brighter ones, so that the whole sky was sparkling.
There is just something special about gazing up at a clear night sky and feeling so tiny in comparison to the universe.
Obviously this experience is weather dependent and will also depend on the phase of the moon. But if you’re in Abel Tasman National Park and it’s a clear night, ideally with a new moon, don’t miss the opportunity to see the galaxy at its very finest.
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