Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park is one of New Zealand's most popular national parks and an outdoor adventurer’s dream. Named after the Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman who arrived there in 1642, it is known for its golden beaches, granite cliffs, and world-famous coast track. A coastal paradise and sea kayaking mecca. Explore the lush native forest by foot, set sail on a catamaran or paddle through the crystal blue water in a kayak. Discover secluded bays, islands, and marine life.

Where should you visit Abel Tasman National Park?

Attractions in the park

Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest national park at 225 square kilometres. Don't be fooled though, what it may lack in size, it gains in sheer beauty and adventure, making it a popular destination all year round.

From the coastal activities, with kayaking, cruises and scuba diving to one of the New Zealand Great Walks lining the coast, you can experience it all on a multi-day trek. In fact, you can even see Abel Tasman from the sky in a number of ways, from skydiving to hang gliding. There are so many different ways to explore whether it be relaxing or adrenaline pumping.

Discover Abel Tasman by kayak

Sea kayaking is at the heart of Abel Tasman National Park. You'd be hard-pressed to find a photo of Abel Tasman without a kayak. That's because it's an awesome way to explore the coastline and have close encounters with seals and other wildlife.

You have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to kayaking, including self-guided multi-day hires, guided day tours or a combination of kayaking and hiking.

Some of the best places to kayak are Kaiteriteri, Marahau and Tata Beach in Golden Bay.

Explore secluded hideaways by boat

Cruising is always a great way to enjoy the surroundings. Sit in comfort and feel a breeze from the inviting waters of Abel Tasman National Park as you watch playful seal pups rolling through the water. Explore secluded hideaways and stunning golden beaches with great views from your cruise boat.

If you feel more adventurous you could go beach hopping and learn more about the fascinating flora and fauna. Or see blue penguins, shags, gannets and dolphins as you pass by Tonga Island Marine Reserve.

See spectacular scenery from the sky

Get a bird's eye view of Abel Tasman National Park by taking a scenic plane flight, an epic helicopter ride or by hand gliding over the gentle waters.

For a far more heart-stopping experience from a different perspective, you could choose to skydive. If you are going to take the leap, why not do it in New Zealand?

Hike to Wainui Falls

Wainui Falls is on the Golden Bay side of Abel Tasman National Park. It's a fantastic short walk to a feature of the park that is not visited often.

To get there you'll need to cross farmland for a short distance until you reach lush native forest with scattered granite boulders and a swing bridge leading to the cascading Wainui Falls. You will hear the thunder of the falls before they appear suddenly.

Along the way keep a lookout for New Zealand's giant native snail, Powelliphanta. Remember to look but don't touch as these snails are protected by law. It's illegal to hold a live snail.

Coast Track

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a 60-kilometre trail between Totaranui and Marahau that follows a pristine coastline of extraordinary beauty. Clear, turquoise bays, abundant bird and sea life, and clean air surround you as you walk under the cool canopy of the native forest. This path leads through four estuaries that are only accessible at low tide.

Suitable to do all year round, the walk is best experienced on a multi-day adventure. For those who don’t quite have time for a multi-day experience, there are plenty of shorter and full-day walk/kayak or walk/cruise options available.

Top tip: Take a short detour to Cleopatras Pools, where you can slide down a natural chute into the clear rock pools below.

Marahau

The main towns in the area of the Abel Tasman National Park are Totaranui to the north of the park and Marahau and Kaiteriteri to the south with Marahau being the main gateway to the park.

It is a beautiful small seaside community in the Tasman Region of the South Island of New Zealand, approximately north of Motueka. Its location on Tasman Bay and at the southern entrance of Abel Tasman National Park makes it the perfect starting point for many activities in the park.

Take a water taxi, start your kayaking trip, walk into one of the bays, go snorkelling or diving and enjoy a day of exploration of one of the most fascinating parts of New Zealand.

How to get there?

The Abel Tasman National Park is located northwest of the South Island of New Zealand. It is accessible from Marahau and Kaiteriteri in the South, and Golden Bay and Totaranui in the North. Most water taxi services depart from Marahau or Kaiteriteri and travel only as far north as Totaranui.

You can walk into the Park from the seaside village of Marahau, Canaan Downs (at the top of Takaka Hill) and the picturesque Wainui Bay. Or, you can be dropped off at various points along the coast track by sea, paddle in by kayak, or be flown into the airstrip in Awaroa Bay by plane or helicopter.

Several water sports operators are based in Kaiteriteri and Marahau at the southern end of the Park and offer combo options so you can cruise, walk or kayak sections of the park at your own pace.

Where to stay?

Make your trip extra special by experiencing a unique stay from our large collection of hand-selected accommodations in Abel Tasman and beyond. Your travel specialist will match you with accommodation that suits your wants and needs. A journey where your accommodation is an experience in itself.

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Why book with us?

• Well-organised holiday, designed just for you

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• Carefully recommended activities based on your interests

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