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Abel Tasman
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Abel Tasman

Golden Beaches and the Coast Track

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹8,250From / night₹2,750Food / dayFreeEntry

New Zealand's smallest national park and its sunniest corner: golden-sand bays, granite headlands and clear green water along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, a Great Walk. Base at Kaiteriteri or Marahau (an hour from Nelson's airport) and mix a water-taxi drop-off, a day's walk and a sea-kayak paddle back. Seals at Tonga Island; the huts and campsites on the track are booked through DOC and fill in summer.

Highlights

  • Water taxi and walk on the Coast Track
  • Sea kayaking to Tonga Island seals
  • Split Apple Rock
  • Golden beaches at Anchorage and Bark Bay
  • Nelson's cafés and markets
  • Te Waikoropupū Springs in Golden Bay

Things to do

  • Water taxi to Bark Bay and walk back to AnchorageMorning · 6h
  • Guided sea kayak with the sealsMorning · 5h
  • Scenic cruise past Split Apple RockAfternoon · 3h
  • Kaiteriteri beach afternoonAfternoon · 2h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Abel Tasmanvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Abel Tasmanvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: November – April

Heads up

Sandflies on the Beaches

Sandflies gather on the Abel Tasman beaches and campsites in summer; bring repellent for lunch stops and evenings.

Heads up

Coast Track Huts and Campsites Fill

Huts and campsites on the Abel Tasman Coast Track must be booked with DOC in advance and fill months ahead for summer; water taxis and kayaks should be booked too.

  • Christmas and New Year holidays · 25 Dec – 2 Jan — New Zealand's main summer holiday: families head to the beaches and lakes, holiday parks and campervans are booked out, and Queenstown and Wānaka hold big New Year's Eve parties. Public holidays on 25-26 December and 1-2 January close some shops and add surcharges in cafés.