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New Zealand🇳🇿 | national parksAbel Tasman National ParkCoastal track, water taxis, tidal crossings, golden beaches | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Abel Tasman
🏆 Top picknational park ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Abel Tasman is the smallest of New Zealand’s national parks, yet its coastal track is one of the Great Walks you can do without carrying a tent, because water taxis drop you at beaches along the way and pick you up again. The park sits at the top of the South Island, reached from Motueka and Marahau. The trade-off is popularity: summer huts and campsites sell out, and the main track gets busy. Tides matter too, since the Awaroa and Torrent Bay crossings are only passable around low tide, so you plan by the tide table and the payoff is empty sand at midday. I rode the shuttle down from Nelson on a minibus, and the driver stopped at a roadside stall so everyone could buy a paper bag of cherries, which we ate while the road dropped toward Marahau. Beyond the carpark, the track climbs through silver beech and tree ferns to golden beaches with water the color of sea glass.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 national park in New ZealandWhy visitors keep coming back

Backpackers choose Abel Tasman because it lets you build your own trip on a track that is easy to follow and hard to get lost on. The Abel Tasman Coast Track runs about 60 kilometers, but water taxis stop at beaches along the way, so you can walk one stretch, ride the next and finish in your own time. That flexibility suits solo travelers and pairs without a guide, and the track is well signposted, graded and maintained, so a tour adds little. Camping is the budget option, with sites tucked behind beaches such as Anchorage and Bark Bay, each with water, toilets and a cooking shelter. Hut and campsite spots book out far ahead in busy months, which rewards planners. Kayaking is the other draw: you can paddle between granite headlands, spot fur seals near Tonga Island, and hop between beaches … read more 👉
Backpackers choose Abel Tasman because it lets you build your own trip on a track that is easy to follow and hard to get lost on. The Abel Tasman Coast Track runs about 60 kilometers, but water taxis stop at beaches along the way, so you can walk one stretch, ride the next and finish in your own time. That flexibility suits solo travelers and pairs without a guide, and the track is well signposted, graded and maintained, so a tour adds little. Camping is the budget option, with sites tucked behind beaches such as Anchorage and Bark Bay, each with water, toilets and a cooking shelter. Hut and campsite spots book out far ahead in busy months, which rewards planners. Kayaking is the other draw: you can paddle between granite headlands, spot fur seals near Tonga Island, and hop between beaches that have no road access at all. Walk one day, paddle the next, and you cover the park from two angles.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while exploring Abel Tasman

  1. Abel Tasman Coast Track: The park’s signature route follows the shoreline through beech forest, with golden beaches appearing around nearly every headland. It is the reason most people come, and it works as a day section or a multi-day trip.
  2. Cleopatra’s Pool: A natural rock pool and small waterfall on a side track off the main route, where you can slide down a smooth chute into clear, deep water. It is a short detour and popular on warm days.
  3. Split Apple Rock: A granite boulder split cleanly in two, sitting just offshore between Kaiteriteri and Marahau. You see it from a kayak, a water taxi or the lookout above the bay.
  4. Tonga Island Marine Reserve: Fur seals haul out on the rocks here, and pups play in the shallows in summer. Kayak tours and water taxi cruises pass close, and snorkeling is possible
… read more 👉
  1. Abel Tasman Coast Track: The park’s signature route follows the shoreline through beech forest, with golden beaches appearing around nearly every headland. It is the reason most people come, and it works as a day section or a multi-day trip.
  2. Cleopatra’s Pool: A natural rock pool and small waterfall on a side track off the main route, where you can slide down a smooth chute into clear, deep water. It is a short detour and popular on warm days.
  3. Split Apple Rock: A granite boulder split cleanly in two, sitting just offshore between Kaiteriteri and Marahau. You see it from a kayak, a water taxi or the lookout above the bay.
  4. Tonga Island Marine Reserve: Fur seals haul out on the rocks here, and pups play in the shallows in summer. Kayak tours and water taxi cruises pass close, and snorkeling is possible from the reserve’s waters.
  5. Awaroa Inlet: A broad tidal estuary with flat sand at low tide and a long beach, crossed on foot around low water. Birdlife is rich, including oystercatchers and herons.
  6. Onetahuti Beach: A wide, long stretch of sand with fewer people than the beaches closer to the south end. It suits a stop for a swim and a long lunch.
  7. Wainui Falls: A short, easy walk through forest to a 20-meter waterfall near Wainui Bay, with a swing bridge on the way. It is outside the coast track and quiet.
  8. Torrent Bay: A sheltered bay with a lagoon crossed at low tide, and a lookout above that gives a view over the bay and the coast beyond.
Cleopatra’s Pool and Torrent Bay fit neatly into one day, since the side track to the pool starts a short walk from the bay.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Abel Tasman National Park

The Family Cruiser

The Family Cruiser

4.9(245) 3h
From €57
per personViator
Kayak & Walk

Kayak & Walk

4.8(167) 24h
From €134
per personViator
Oarsome Marine Reserve Kayak Tour

Oarsome Marine Reserve Kayak Tour

5.0(42) 8h
From €185
per personViator
1 Day Sea Kayak Rental

1 Day Sea Kayak Rental

5.0(37) 7h
From €62
per personViator
Sail, Seals, and Walk Tour in Abel Tasman

Sail, Seals, and Walk Tour in Abel Tasman

4.7(38)
From €72
per personViator
Southern Duo kayak & walk tour

Southern Duo kayak & walk tour

5.0(26) 8h
From €98
per personViator
Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Paddles

Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Paddles

5.0(16) 24h
From €82
per personViator
Remote Marine Reserve - Guided Kayaking - New Zealand

Remote Marine Reserve - Guided Kayaking - New Zealand

4.8(18) 24h
From €211
per personViator
1 Day Freedom Rental

1 Day Freedom Rental

5.0(12) 24h
From €62
per personViator
Seal Sanctuary Tour - Guided Kayaking - New Zealand

Seal Sanctuary Tour - Guided Kayaking - New Zealand

4.8(10) 5h
From €152
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to explore Abel Tasman

December to February gives the most reliable weather for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, with daytime highs of 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F) and up to 15 hours of daylight.
  • Summer (Dec to Feb): Warmest water for swimming and kayaking, and the tidal crossings are easy in long light. Huts and campsites book out months ahead, and Christmas to mid-January is the busiest stretch. Water taxi and kayak prices are at their highest.
  • Autumn (Mar to May): Highs of 17 to 22°C (63 to 72°F), calmer days and far fewer walkers. Booking pressure eases from mid-March.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): Highs of 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F), nights near 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F), and about 9.5 hours of daylight. Rain is more frequent, but the track is quiet and some operators cut services.
  • Spring (Sep to Nov): Highs of 15 to 19°C (59 to 66°F),
… read more 👉
December to February gives the most reliable weather for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, with daytime highs of 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F) and up to 15 hours of daylight.
  • Summer (Dec to Feb): Warmest water for swimming and kayaking, and the tidal crossings are easy in long light. Huts and campsites book out months ahead, and Christmas to mid-January is the busiest stretch. Water taxi and kayak prices are at their highest.
  • Autumn (Mar to May): Highs of 17 to 22°C (63 to 72°F), calmer days and far fewer walkers. Booking pressure eases from mid-March.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): Highs of 12 to 15°C (54 to 59°F), nights near 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F), and about 9.5 hours of daylight. Rain is more frequent, but the track is quiet and some operators cut services.
  • Spring (Sep to Nov): Highs of 15 to 19°C (59 to 66°F), changeable weather, and bird song at its loudest. Bookings loosen up by late October.
Check the tide tables for Awaroa, Torrent Bay and Bark Bay before fixing your daily route, since crossings are only safe around low tide.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Inside the park, the best option for backpackers is the Department of Conservation (DOC) network of four Great Walk huts and 18 campsites along the coast track, and all must be booked online in advance during the main season. Huts at Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi have bunks, flush toilets or long-drops, and cold water, but no cooking facilities in some, so carry a stove. Campsites such as Onetahuti, Torrent Bay and Mutton Cove are cheaper and usually quieter. Some are right on the sand.
Outside the park, Motueka is the practical base for budget travelers, with hostels and holiday … read more 👉
Inside the park, the best option for backpackers is the Department of Conservation (DOC) network of four Great Walk huts and 18 campsites along the coast track, and all must be booked online in advance during the main season. Huts at Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi have bunks, flush toilets or long-drops, and cold water, but no cooking facilities in some, so carry a stove. Campsites such as Onetahuti, Torrent Bay and Mutton Cove are cheaper and usually quieter. Some are right on the sand.
Outside the park, Motueka is the practical base for budget travelers, with hostels and holiday parks close to the bus stops for Marahau, the southern trailhead. Marahau itself has a handful of backpacker lodges, a campground and cabins within walking distance of the start of the track, which suits an early start. Kaiteriteri has holiday parks and motels near the water taxi departures, but costs more in summer. In the north, Takaka and Pohara serve the Wainui and Totaranui end, with hostels and campgrounds. Totaranui also has a large DOC campground reachable by road, and it fills fast over summer holidays.
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👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Budget about US$88 to 140 a day for Abel Tasman National Park when you sleep in a Great Walk hut in high season and walk the coast track.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$0The park itself is free to enter and walk. You pay only for overnight stays, and travelers pay in New Zealand dollars.
AccommodationUS$50International adults pay about US$50 per hut night, and huts and campsites must be booked year-round. Campsites cost roughly US$20 to 26 per person, which is the cheaper route if you carry a tent.
Local transportUS$20 to 60A shuttle from Nelson or Motueka to Marahau runs about US$20 to 35 each way. Water taxis for one-way boat hops along the coast cost roughly US$35 to 60, depending on distance.
Food and suppliesUS$18 to 30Buy groceries in Nelson or Motueka, as supplies near
… read more 👉
Budget about US$88 to 140 a day for Abel Tasman National Park when you sleep in a Great Walk hut in high season and walk the coast track.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$0The park itself is free to enter and walk. You pay only for overnight stays, and travelers pay in New Zealand dollars.
AccommodationUS$50International adults pay about US$50 per hut night, and huts and campsites must be booked year-round. Campsites cost roughly US$20 to 26 per person, which is the cheaper route if you carry a tent.
Local transportUS$20 to 60A shuttle from Nelson or Motueka to Marahau runs about US$20 to 35 each way. Water taxis for one-way boat hops along the coast cost roughly US$35 to 60, depending on distance.
Food and suppliesUS$18 to 30Buy groceries in Nelson or Motueka, as supplies near the trailheads are limited and pricier. Huts have no shops, so you carry every meal and your cooking fuel.
Total Daily BudgetUS$88 to 140Lower end assumes you only need a shuttle. Upper end adds a water taxi leg. Guided kayak trips cost far more, usually US$120 to 180 for a day.


source: doc.govt.nz
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsScenic routes and wildlife spotting in Abel Tasman

The park rewards a mix of short walks and long ones, and nearly all of it is gentle, graded track suited to anyone with basic fitness. The terrain is mostly forested coastal ridge, with steps and sections that rise and fall between beaches, plus tidal flats that need timing.
  • Abel Tasman Coast Track: About 60 km one way from Marahau to Wainui, usually 3 to 5 days. Easy to moderate, well-formed path through beech forest, with beach and estuary sections. Many walkers do a day or two and take a water taxi for the rest.
  • Marahau to Anchorage: About 12.4 km, roughly 4 hours one way. Easy to moderate, with
… read more 👉
The park rewards a mix of short walks and long ones, and nearly all of it is gentle, graded track suited to anyone with basic fitness. The terrain is mostly forested coastal ridge, with steps and sections that rise and fall between beaches, plus tidal flats that need timing.
  • Abel Tasman Coast Track: About 60 km one way from Marahau to Wainui, usually 3 to 5 days. Easy to moderate, well-formed path through beech forest, with beach and estuary sections. Many walkers do a day or two and take a water taxi for the rest.
  • Marahau to Anchorage: About 12.4 km, roughly 4 hours one way. Easy to moderate, with the first stretch of climbing then long views over the bays.
  • Cleopatra’s Pool Track: A short side walk of roughly 30 to 40 minutes return from the junction near Torrent Bay. Easy, with a rocky stream finish.
  • Wainui Falls Track: About 3 km return, around 1 hour. Easy, through forest with a swing bridge to the falls.
  • Inland Track: A rougher, higher route for experienced walkers, with steeper climbs, longer days and fewer people.
Wildlife includes fur seals, little blue penguins, tui, bellbirds, weka and oystercatchers. Weka may steal food, so keep packs closed. The tidal crossings at Awaroa and Torrent Bay can only be walked near low tide, so check the tide table before setting out. Marahau is the usual starting point, and public shuttle buses and water taxis connect the park to nearby towns, with water taxis timed to tides. The track is busiest in summer and school holidays, with quieter days midweek and in the cooler months. Great Walk huts and campsites need booking and carry fees, and a separate fee applies to the water taxis and kayak trips.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Abel Tasman is one of New Zealand’s better-maintained Great Walks, with wide, graded tracks and clear signs, so most problems come from tides and underpreparation rather than danger. The estuary crossings at Awaroa and Torrent Bay can only be walked within roughly two hours either side of low tide. Missing the window means a long detour or a wait, so plan each day around the tide table.
Weather turns quickly. Heavy rain swells creeks and can close sections of track, so carry a rain jacket even in summer and check the DOC alerts before you start. The sun is strong on the open beaches, so pack a hat and sunscreen. Most huts have no cell coverage, which means you should tell someone your itinerary.
Wildlife is mild. Sandflies are the main nuisance, so bring repellent. Weka are bold and will steal … read more 👉
Abel Tasman is one of New Zealand’s better-maintained Great Walks, with wide, graded tracks and clear signs, so most problems come from tides and underpreparation rather than danger. The estuary crossings at Awaroa and Torrent Bay can only be walked within roughly two hours either side of low tide. Missing the window means a long detour or a wait, so plan each day around the tide table.
Weather turns quickly. Heavy rain swells creeks and can close sections of track, so carry a rain jacket even in summer and check the DOC alerts before you start. The sun is strong on the open beaches, so pack a hat and sunscreen. Most huts have no cell coverage, which means you should tell someone your itinerary.
Wildlife is mild. Sandflies are the main nuisance, so bring repellent. Weka are bold and will steal unattended food, so keep packs zipped. Seals sometimes rest on rocks and tracks, and you should give them at least 20 meters.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Three to five days is the standard length for the full 60-kilometer Abel Tasman Coast Track, which runs between Marahau and Wainui. If time is short, a one-day walk from Marahau to Anchorage and a water taxi back covers the best beaches. Adding kayaking to a two-day itinerary is a popular way to see the coast in a short time.
Yes, the park is easy to see without a car. Shuttle buses run from Nelson and Motueka to Marahau (about 1 to 1.5 hours), and from Takaka to Wainui and Totaranui. Water taxis from Kaiteriteri and Marahau connect with beaches along the coast, so you can walk in sections and ride the boat back.
The park itself has no entrance fee. Overnight stays on the Coast Track need a booking with DOC for each hut or campsite, with huts NZD 84 and campsites NZD 31 per international adult per night from October to April. In summer these sell out months in advance, so book as soon as dates open.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Many travelers arrive in summer without a booking and find every hut and campsite full, then rush the track to fit it in. Book your sites well ahead, walk only two or three sections, and use a water taxi for the rest. I would pack a tide table and a light rain jacket.

✈️ When did I visit New Zealand?
All the way back in high school I have been visiting the North Island of New Zealand (1993).

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in New Zealand, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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