Great Walks of New Zealand
Abel Tasman Coastal
South Island
Abel Tasman National Park is a wilderness reserve at the top of the South Island boasting coastal forests, wildlife, and pristine white sand beaches. It is the easiest and most accessible of the Great Walks spanning 60km. Abel Tasman is one of the most popular tracks with options to walk or kayak sections of the track and lots of opportunities to swim at beautiful beaches.
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Abel Tasman Coastal Track
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track follows beautiful coastline through forests and across white sandy beaches. It is one of the most popular Great Walks besides the Milford and Routeburn and is the most accessible of all the Great Walks. The track can be accessed by water taxi into many of the beaches giving options to hike sections of the track or utilize pack dropping services. The National Park is popular for water activities and hikers can also opt to kayak sections of this Great Walk.
The Abel Tasman track is 60km in length and can be completed in 3 to 5 days one way. The walk begins either at Marahau (1.5hr drive from Nelson) or Wainui car park (2hrs drive from Nelson) depending on which direction you choose to hike in. There are 4 huts on the track - Anchorage Hut (34 bunks), Bark Bay Hut (34 bunks), Awaroa Hut (26 bunks), and Whariwharangi Bay Hut (20 bunks). There are also 18 campsites littered along the track which must also be booked in advance.
The Abel Tasman track is a great track for hikers new to multi-day hiking and families with little hikers as it has wide and well-maintained pathways. The track can easily be shortened or lengthened to tailor walking distances and times. Day walks are also popular on this track. Alternatively, if you are unsuccessful securing huts or campsites, it's possible to be transported in and out of the track to accommodation.
What To Expect
From Marahau To Wainui (4 day walk)
Day 1 - Marahau to Anchroage Hut - 12.4km / 4hrs
Day1 starts at Marahau with a 12.4km hike to Anchorage Hut/Campsite taking approx 4hrs. It is possible to push on to Bark Bay Hut instead which will take approx 8hrs to complete the 23.9km. Hikers cross the first estuary to enter the track and the paths are wide and firm. The track provides glimpses of the water through the trees and any upward gradient is relaxed. Apple Tree Bay is a good halfway point for lunch and a swim. The track then passes through several little gullies before opening up with spectacular views of Torrent Bay and the track to the north. The track descends into Anchorage Bay and the hut sits beachfront.
There is a 40min return side trip to Cleopatras pool which is a majestic swimming hole. Consider completing this side trip on Day 1 as Day 2 is a long day.
Day 2 - Anchorage Hut to Awaroa Hut/Campsite - 21.9km /7hrs 30mins
The 21.9km hike from Anchorage Hut/Campsite to Awaroa Hut/Campsite is the longest day and will take approx 7hrs 30mins to complete. From the end of Anchorage Bay hikers will cross Torrent Bay estuary. The estuary can only be crossed 2hrs either side of low tide and hikers can expect to get wet. After the estuary, the track climbs into forest and around two valleys. Bark Bay Hut is reached after 11.5km and is a good mid-way point for lunch.
Hikers then cross Bark Bay estuary which can be crossed 2hrs either side of low tide but there is a 10min alternative all-tide track if needed. The track climbs steeply into forest again until returning to the coast at Tonga Bay and the beautiful Onetahuti Bay. Hikers cross Onetahuti beach and navigate boardwalk to then gradually climb up Tonga Saddle. Eventually you will come to a junction where a sign points to Awaroa Lodge and a path that spirals you down to the lodge. By continuing straight ahead you will reach the lookout point over Awaroa Bay and then drop into Awaroa Hut/Campsite.
If you have time (or stayed at Bark Bay hut on Day 1) there is a 1hr 30min return side trip from Torrent Bay to Cascade Falls, a lovely hidden waterfall in bush.
Day 3 - Awaroa Hut/Campsite to Whariwharangi Hut/Campsite - 16.9km / 5hrs 30mins
The 16.9km hike from Awaroa Hut/Campsite to Whariwharangi Hut/Campsite will take approx 5hrs 30 mins. The day begins by crossing the Awaroa Inlet which should only be crossed during daylight hours and within 1hr 30 min before and 2hr after low tide. There is no alternative track so hikers will need to time the low tide here.
The track then meanders through forest as you pass Waiharakeke Bay and then Goat Bay where hikers will need to cross the beach. There is a steep ascent to Skinners point with great views before descending down onto Tōtaranui Beach. This is the furthest beach the water taxis will pick up from and a great stop for lunch.
From here hikers will cross or go around Tōtaranui estuary and climb steeply into lush forest towards Anapai Bay and then Mutton Cove. There is one last saddle to climb before descending to Whariwharangi Hut/Campsite. Hikers can opt to take an alternative track via Separation Point, which will add an extra hour of walking time.
Day 4 - Whariwharangi Hut/Campsite to Wainui car park - 5.7km / 2 hr
The walk to Wainui car park is short and sweet and will take approx 2 hours. From the hut follows a small stream and climbs up the saddle to get views over Wainui Inlet. From the saddle it's a quick descent to the car park.
At the top of the saddle there is an alternative inland track over Gibbs Hill that will take hikers back to Totaranui to catch the water taxi out of the Abel Tasman Park. This 9km alternative route will take approx 3hrs to complete.
Day Walk Options
The Abel Tasman is the most accessible of the Great Walks with water taxis servicing the main beaches from Marahau or Kaiteriteri, going as far north as Totaranui Beach. Check out the walking times between each beach to create a hike that suits. Don't forget, estuaries at Torrent Bay and Awaroa Bay need to be crossed within a couple of hours of low tide so check the tide timetable when planning.
Difficulty
The Abel Tasman is considered the easiest of all the Great Walks. The track is flat, wide and well-maintained without a lot of tripping hazards. Many people had told us prior to this walk that it was 'flat'. It's not, anyone who says this usually has not completed the full Great Walk. The track follows the coastline and goes in and out of bays requiring ascents up (some steep) and then descents back down into the bays. You will cross a few beaches which can be hard work with a full pack in the soft sand. But we agree it is the easiest of the Great Walks and also the most relaxing with the ability to stop, swim and laze around on the beach as you progress.
Abel Tasman Track Elevation Profile
Source: Department of Conservation
Logistics & Bookings
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is a popular Great Walk, and it can be difficult to secure hut/campsite spots. Some campsites sell out in minutes particularly for holiday periods. Before you book anything, secure bookings for the huts/campsites first. For more information on Department of Conservation (DOC) huts/campsites check out the BOOK IT section above or click the link below.
The Abel Tasman track is popular with tourists and as such there are plenty of transport options available to get you to and from the track including buses, shuttles, and water taxis. Check out the BOOK IT section or click the link below for more information.
Things We Learnt
1. The Abel Tasman track is undulating and not flat. There are some steep climbs that will get your heart rate pumping.
2. It can get cold even in summer. Once we reached Whariwharangi Hut the temperature dropped quickly, and we lit the fire to warm the hut (and us) up.
3. Put your gear incl your sleeping bag in dry bags inside your pack. A couple of the crew had to re-learn this when the bottom of their packs got wet on the Awaroa Inlet crossing. Lucky for them the fire at Whariwharangi Hut cranks and the bags were bone dry by bedtime. Lucky buggers.
4. Trail shoes were totally fine to walk in. Consider the weather though before deciding on your footwear.
5. Crocs were great for the estuary crossing (and in general life).
6. Awaroa Lodge and the staff were awesome. If the weather permits Awaroa Lodge opens a pizza and beer garden, the quick detour for a cold one is worth it. You will see the turn off to head down to the lodge. Don't worry, you don't have to climb back up to get to Awaroa Hut. Continue walking past the airstrip to the beach and Awaroa Hut is not much further along.
TIPS From The Crew
1. Before you book, consider the low tides on the days you intend to hike. You will need to make some water crossings and need to do so a couple of hours either side of low tide in daylight to make it. This may mean that you may have to hike on particular dates.
2. Anchorage Hut is on a stunning beach and is a great hut. Totally recommend staying here. There is a simple cold outdoor shower on Anchorage Beach a few meters down from the hut.
3. Take some Crocs or aqua shoes for the tidal crossings (not flip flops/jandals these will get stuck). There are shells and stones that can cut your feet in the estuaries.
4. Follow the tallest person into the water crossings first so all the short people can see how high the water comes up on them. Don't cross outside of the recommended timeframes otherwise you will be swimming.
5. Awaroa Lodge has a pizza and beer garden during the day (weather permitting). Drop in on the way to Awaroa Hut or stay the night at the lodge. The staff and the packed lunches were awesome.
6. Best Beach - Mutton Cove without a doubt. Many hikers stop at Totaranui and won't hike as far, so the track becomes less populated. If you are camping this is an awesome bay to stay for the night.
7. We backtracked from Whariwharangi Hut to Totaranui and caught the water taxi out (rather than hike 2hrs out to Wainui Bay). There is an inland track via Gibbs Hill you could take instead to Totaranui but we preferred to swim, so returned via the coast. The water taxi was a nice way to finish and took us past Tonga Island to see the seal colony which was pretty cool.
