Abel Tasman coastal track is one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks for a reason – and that reason is that it’s stunning! Read on to see why you should do it too…
Abel Tasman coastal track
The walk along the coast in Abel Tasman national park is 60km from end to end. We only did c.45km over 4 days, taking it slow as we aren’t regular walkers. In New Zealand they call hiking ‘tramping’ so we tramped from hut to hut, carrying everything we would need*. It’s super important to the national park to:
Take only photos and leave only footprints”
So we even had to carry our rubbish out!
The route:
Some of the track is tidal, so you can only cross the estuary at low tide. This meant that we started at Totaranui and walked South to ensure we could cross at Awaroa. Water taxi’s from Marahau service all the main bays in the park, so we taxied up to start our hike. From Totaranui we stopped in the Awaroa hut the first night. The second night we stopped at Bark Bay. The third was at Anchorage and the fourth day we walked out to where we had left the car at Marahau DOC (Department of Conservation) carpark – the gateway to Abel Tasman. There are other ways to appreciate the national park without having to walk the whole way = you can also kayak.
Totaranui to Awaroa
This was one of our shortest days. We picked up the 10.30 water taxi from Marahau. On the way our captain Jared pointed out a few of the local landmarks and wildlife, including the seals and their babies!
The water taxi trip:
Jared showed us an obligatory photo spot: Split apple rock – when it’s the especially high tide kayaks can squeeze through the gap
A seal getting her swim on – the island and rocks are host to all the mums and babies
Natural erosion creates these stunning rock formations and caves
The walk
Day one was a 2.5 hour walk (7km)
Totoranui beach where we were let off the water taxi
The perfect lunch spot! (excepting the sand flies… bring bug spray!)
The view looking back along the beach from the first ridge line
Our first day’s walk was short and deliberately so… we arrived in the early afternoon and had to time our walk to ensure that we made the low tide crossing to Awaroa.
I adored the different vegetation – lots of tree ferns gives it a tropical feel, very different from England!
Our first tricky point (unless you think hauling a 15kg pack up a hill is tricky… well it was hard sweaty work!). We had a 4 hour time slot where it was safe to cross the estuary, and we knew we had to wade…
Massive mud flats – we knew there was still a river out there to cross though
What made it trickier is that Cat and I did it bare foot.. the mussel beds full of shells certainly are tough on your feet
The end is in sight! (our first stopping point that night was the DOC hut ahead)
The outside of the Awaroa hut: night 1
Inside the common room – note no electric and just a wood burning stove for warmth!
Jumping on the beach – we obviously had too much energy left!
These bad boys were the reason why my feet were sensitive after crossing barefoot!
As it was the day before my birthday we made the most of the Awaroa lodge for gin and tonics after our beach walk! A lovely couple who had been on our water taxi bought me a birthday g&t – thanks Robyn and John!
The view at dawn the next day – we naturally went to bed early and woke early
Awaroa to Bark Bay
Day 2 was a 4.5 hour trek (13.5km) to Bark Bay – made longer by the fact that we couldn’t take the short cut from the previous day and cut across the creek as it was high tide!
Instead of a 30 min walk to Awaroa lodge, we walked for 1.5 hours over the ridge line..
Totally worth it for the views though!
Sweaty selfie at the top!
It was all worth it in the end – birthday cake (with candles!) and coffee, before we carried on with our walk – only another 3 hours to go!
I found my spear at this bridge..
The suspension bridge rocked unnervingly.. but Cat didn’t mind lol!
These coastal views are the whole reason we went – just gorgeous!
Just footprints left behind us
The water falls were pretty spectacular too
We made it! Star jump at Bark Bay
What glorious colours at the sunset!
As there is no electric in the huts (apart from some solar powered lights) the pics didn’t come out great – but you can see that Cat had another birthday surprise for me – fancy dress with chocolate and wine!
I tried to be arty and capture the moon over the water
Dawn the next morning – so amazing to be awake to witness this!
Bark Bay to Anchorage
Day 3 was Bark Bay to Anchorage, this was a 4 hour (11.5km) walk as we had to take the high tide route around Torrent Bay. The low tide crossing cuts an hour off this time, but was too late in the day for us). No matter though, we wanted to stop off at one of the side tracks that lead to Cleopatra’s pool.
I had to wear my birthday headband – this brought lots of smiles from fellow trampers we passed!
Gorgeous views of Torrent bay – you can see why we couldn’t take the low tide route!
Cleopatra’s pool – it was a bit too chilly for us to take a dip here, instead we found a beach in the sun and had a lunch of cheese and crackers
We made it – obligatory jump shot on Anchorage beach
At the far end of Anchorage beach, away from the DOC hut were some rock formations, so we went and explored:
A fitting memorial for Nancy? The rock here is really soft allowing people to carve their names into it.
Eyes closed – zen?! I love exploring caves like this!
Anchorage to Marahau
Our last day and it was clouded over, with a forecast of drizzle followed by later rain.. So we made quick time to try and finish the tramp before the heavens opened properly! The walk was meant to take 4 hours (12.4km) however we did it in around 3 hours.
Apple tree bay – a great spot for the kayakers to pull up (there is a campsite there)
Kayakers spotted off the beach on the way back
Marahau beach – under water at high tide, but we had boardwalks to go over it.
Can you see the names that people wrote in rocks on the beach? They showed through the water really clearly!
We made it back to our car in the DOC carpark at Marahau before midday and rewarded ourselves with coffee and cake at the Park Cafe!
We hiked c45 km over our 4 days hiking – you could do it in less time if you are a more experienced hiker, but with having to haul all our food, cooking supplies and sleeping gear we didn’t want to push ourselves too hard*. Treated water is provided at the huts on the route, so at least we only had to carry what we needed to drink for each day’s hike.
I would totally recommend doing at least some of the Abel Tasman coastal track – as you could see the views are spectacular and there is loads of wildlife to see too! You can walk, kayak or get a water taxi for a day trip – it’s super accessible and we saw lots of families on the track (kids sleep free at the huts!)
Get planning! Pin me for later
- ps I was super impressed that every toilet in the park had toilet paper! Seriously even the remote long drop loos had ample toilet paper!
Candy says
I have never heard of this location and really enjoyed reading your journey and viewing the photos. I wish I had the stamina to hike like you! I don’t even think I could carry all that weight without training for months! Those seashells look like they would really hurt your feet !!! 🙂
Katie Hughes says
Hehe we did no training at all Candy!!
Natasha says
Wow — talk about breathtaking! I’ve never been along this coastal part — but I’ve been to NZ and it truly is gorgeous. This looks like an amazing birthday celebration — hope it was wonderful!! 🙂
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Natasha – it was something special!
LaiAriel R. Samangka ( Thelittlelai: Beyond limits) says
Wow, this is really my thing, since I really love walking and I’m into trekking as well. I really enjoy this journey of yours as you brought me to places I’ve never heard of and never been to, by just simply reading your blog post. I would love to traipse my two little itchy feet on the white sand beaches while enjoying the waves. The waterfall is really beautiful as well and you guys manage to carry all the weights of your bag, though you really had a long walk. I wish to go here soon if I get the chance. Thank you so much for sharing your travel experience with us.
Katie Hughes says
Thanks so much for your comment! I love to inspire people and now I have a new interesting in trekking too.
Iuliana Marchian says
I had the same problem with flies when I was trekking in the Sahara Desert. The spot for lunch was amazing, but we sweated so much that the flies were always coming to us. We couldn’t have a ‘fly break’ not even for eating. Congratulations for this route, it’s amazing to walk and discover such small and authentic places.
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Iuliana – those sand flies are certainly pesky, but they didn’t ruin the experience!
Tara says
This is seriously how I would spend every single one of my vacations if I could. I love that they call it “tramping”! Such gorgeous scenery too!
Katie Hughes says
It’s just stunning – glad it’s inspired you Tara!
Sandy N Vyjay says
This is the first time that I heard about this and it looks a beautiful location and I really love the beautiful views. The landscapes make for great walks. The pristine nature of the environs is what appeals to me the most. The pictures bring alive the beauty of nature so vividly. I particularly loved the picture of the Seal swimming.
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Sandy – it was great to see the animals in the protected environment.
PAIGE W says
I’ve never heard of this, but good Lord, it’s STUNNING! I’m always seeing nothing but gorgeous shots of NZ, and your photos are no exception. I also love the various activities that can be done along the way. Also, your note at the bottom totally cracked me up. Toilet paper is always a treat to consistently find. Ha!
Katie Hughes says
Hehe glad you enjoyed it Paige!!
Reshma says
I just loved the gorgeous pictures! Anchorage looks too beautiful. What a perfect way to celebrate your birthday! I loved the term tramping 🙂
Katie Hughes says
Thanks Reshma – it certainly was a great place to celebrate!
Cat says
So happy for you for completing the track! The scenery is worth the 4 day hike! I’d love to do it if I ever make my way to New Zealand!
Katie Hughes says
It’s totally worth doing some hiking if you make it to NZ Cat – such a great way to see the nature!
Jolene Ejmont says
Looks glorious!! New Zealand is high on our list of where to go to next! And we do love to get outside as much as we can when we travel! Great way to connect with the beautiful nature 🙂
Katie Hughes says
I totally agree Jolene – I hope you get there soon!