Abel Tasman National Park Travel Guide

 
by simonemurari
 
  •   Abel Tasman National Park
    by simonemurari
  •   Abel Tasman National Park
    by simonemurari
  •   Abel Tasman National Park
    by simonemurari
  •   Abel Tasman National Park
    by elpariente
  •   Abel Tasman National Park
    by elpariente
 

Pro

cnango profile photo

  Stunning & pristine native bush & beaches 


Con

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  Isolated and few facilities. 


In a nutshell

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  A unique place 

 

Explore Abel Tasman National Park

Things to Do  

Take Photo Tour

Take Photo Tour, Abel Tasman National Park

 cnango Says:  There are so many beautiful things to see in Tasman National Park. Be sure to bring a camera and snap pictures of the pristine nature, like the shot of colored foliage on the ground and the bush with wild red berries. Such a simple subject yet so many beautiful photo Ops. 

A Small Waterfall in Tasman National Park

A Small Waterfall in Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman National Park

 cnango Says:  After hiking (tramping) through native bush in Tasman you will find a wonderful place to rest. This was a very popular spot to rest on the rocks and listening to the sound of water rushing over the small waterfall. others enjoy climbing all over the rocks and exploring. It... 

El Puente Colgante / Swinging Bridge

El Puente Colgante / Swinging Bridge, Abel Tasman National Park

 elpariente Says:  La pista que va de Barks Bay a Torrent Bay cruza el único puente colgante que hay en el parque , tiene 47 metros de longitud y lo llaman el Puente Colgante de Falls River The track that goes from Bark Bay to Torrent Bay crosses the only swing bridge in the park of 47 m in... 

Helechos - Ferns

Helechos - Ferns, Abel Tasman National Park

 elpariente Says:  El bosque está lleno de helechos , algunos parecen palmeras de lo grandes que son , otros crecen normalmente y también se ven los helechos jóvenes , conocidos como koru en NZ , que simbolizan la fuerza de la vida The forest is full of ferns, some look like palms because they... 

Nuestro Paseo - Our Tramp

Nuestro Paseo - Our Tramp, Abel Tasman National Park

 elpariente Says:  El catamarán nos dejó en en Tonga Bay y desde allí fuimos caminando a Torrent and Ancorage Bay , que son unos diecisiete kms. Hay que tener en cuenta las mareas , pues cuando la marea está alta en vez de cruzar por la playa hay que dar una vuelta más grande El paseo es fácil... 

La roca de la manzana Partida / Split Apple Rock

La roca de la manzana Partida / Split Apple Rock, Abel Tasman National Park

 elpariente Says:  Esta extraña formación geológica tiene el nombre de La Roca de la Manzana Partida , pues parece una manzaa partida por la mitad Una leyenda dice que es el primer sitio en que el Capitán Cook encontró a los Maorí El Capitán estaba intentando atemorizar a los Maorí y disparó... 

Abel Tasman Kayaks

Abel Tasman Kayaks, Abel Tasman National Park

 jag17 Says:  It is very hard for me to write about this, because it was such a disappointing day. I had really been looking forward to gliding across the smooth, clear water as seen in all the glossy brochures. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was in a very cranky mood when we were visiting.... 

Restaurants  

Awaroa Lodge Café: Like an oasis in the bush.

Awaroa Lodge Café: Like an oasis in the bush., Abel Tasman National Park

 kiwi Says:  You can't expect to find a restaurant is such a far away place, but here is one!!To find modern, chef prepared, interesting and very fresh food out in the bush miles from civilisation is truly a nice surprise. They grow their own organic veges and other items are boated in... 

Transportation  

Aquataxi

Aquataxi, Abel Tasman National Park

 elpariente Says:  Fuimos a Kaiteriteri donde salen los catamaranes que recorren el Parque Abel TasmanAquí decides que recorrido quieres hacer según las ganas que tengas de caminar .Te dan un paseo en el que ves los paisajes , los leones marinos , las aves ... y te dejan en la playa que hayas... 

Water Taxis in the Abel Tasman Nat'l Park

Water Taxis in the Abel Tasman Nat'l Park, Abel Tasman National Park

 kiwi Says:  When you get to Marahau, you can take a water taxi into the park, either to a dropoff point of your choice, or to the Awaroa Lodge. On the trip to the Lodge, we stopped at a couple of bays and did a little bit of sightseeing, including looking at seals. 

Local Customs  

Helecopter Drop in Tasman National Park

Helecopter Drop in Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman National Park

 cnango Says:  In the midst of the dense bush we stopped to watch a helicopter dropping supplies at a construction site. Since this is such a remote location the only way to bring in supplies is by boat or helicopter. 

Helpful Signs Posted in Tasman National Park

Helpful Signs Posted in Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman National Park

 cnango Says:  Helpful Signs Posted in Tasman National Park were located throughout. This park has such a nice balance of wild pristine nature and well marked paths with places to stop, eat,drink or just find your way, etc. 

Warnings Or Dangers  

NZ has the Worlds Highest Rate of Skin Cancer

NZ has the Worlds Highest Rate of Skin Cancer, Abel Tasman National Park

 cnango Says:  New Zealand has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Though there are places in the world that get more hours of sun it is more intense in NZ for three reasons. The UV levels are higher because of the closeness of the sun in the summer,a thinner ozone layer over NZ... 

Tourist Traps  

Split Apple Rock Photo Op

Split Apple Rock Photo Op, Abel Tasman National Park

 cnango Says:  This rock formation off the coast in Tasman National Park must be one of the most photographed and therefore a " tourist trap". It is amazing that no one else was taking pictures or climbing on it at the time this picture was taken: ) 

What to Pack  

Bring with you

Bring with you, Abel Tasman National Park

 Lozza_9 Says:   ShortsT-ShirtWalking bootsWarm clothes for after Sea Kayaking ( Put in a Plastic bag. Insect repllent Water-Proof Camera Sun HatSun GlassesSun Bloke ( It was cloudy on the day we went but we still got out hands burnt - we forgot our hands!!!)Swim Suit 

Off The Beaten Path  

The bay we stayed at both nights.

The bay we stayed at both nights., Abel Tasman National Park

 Atre Says:  As any good hiker should know, the best thing you can do before starting your walk is preparing yourself. Check you have batteries, you have enough food, you have enough clothes for all weathers, etc. We did not do this. We started from the southern end of the track near... 

Skywire

Skywire, Abel Tasman National Park

 jag17 Says:  If you find yourself in Nelson while traveling to Abel Tasman, save some time for Happy Valley Adventures. Several types of activities available, but we stopped specifically for the Skywire. Strapped safely in your 4 person chair, you travel at speeds of over 60mph as you... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Kayaking at Abel Tasman

Kayaking at Abel Tasman, Abel Tasman National Park

 cnango Says:  With it still waters, countless coves and lagoons that dot the pristine coastline,Tasman National Park is one of the best places to go sea kayaking. Bring your own or rent. Take a guided tour or go the freedom route and do your own thing. No matter how you chose to do it you... 

Favorites  

Abel Tasman Map

Abel Tasman Map, Abel Tasman National Park

 kiwigal_1 Says:  This Map of the Abel Tasman National Park was supplied to me by our kayaking guide. The map shows the geography of the park and the different bays that I mention in my travelogue to help give context to my descriptions of the various bays we visited during the kayaking trip.... 

Gorgeous secluded beaches.

Gorgeous secluded beaches., Abel Tasman National Park

 kiwi Says:  Around every corner is another secluded idyllic beach where you can stop and rest for a while. Most are accessible from the track, and from the kayaks.All this in Abel Tasman National Park, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. I really love the bush and especially... 

 
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The Place

Plan a Abel Tasman National Park vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Abel Tasman National Park locals

Experience Abel Tasman National Park
  •   62 Tips and Reviews
  •  175 Photos
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The People

 
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  ShortsT-ShirtWalking bootsWarm clothes for after Sea Kayaking ( Put in a Plastic bag. Insect repllent Water-Proof Camera Sun HatSun GlassesSun Bloke ( It... 

 

Questions and Answers

KerriMcD profile photo

Q:  Hi there, A group of friends & I are doing the Abel Tasman 3 day kayak & walk (1 day kayaking & 2 days walking) in January and... 

jyzil profile photo

A: the kayaking will be fine....i am unfit and i did it for the full day...yes i got sore arms but there are 2 in a kayak so go with someone fit like the guide and slack a... 

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Top Abel Tasman National Park Writers

1

Abel Tasman Park

cnango profile photo

 Abel Tasman is a beautiful National Park, near Nelson,on the South Island of New Zealand.Enjoy hiking (tramping) walking on the unspoiled beach. It is mind boggling to see so much unspoiled coastline... 

2

Abel Tasman National Park

kiwi profile photo

 I'm transferring from the old VT (travelogues) to here, so please bare with me while I rebuild this page. We stayed a few nites at the Awaroa Lodge, deep in the Abel Tasman National Park. Sea Kayaking... 

3

Abel Tasman, like being on a pacific island

Atre profile photo

 The best time to experience Abel Tasman national park is during summer. The water is a clear blue, the sky is blue, the weather warm, not hotter then 28 degrees, its like being on a tropic island. You... 

4

Abel Tasman

Lozza_9 profile photo

 We only came here to take part in the Sea Kayaking. I had never done anything like this before so I was looking forward to it and very nervous. My boyfriend had done it when he was younger. The views... 

5

Peace - if you don't mind the tourists

cehansen profile photo

 Had a lovely week in the area, we missed most of the Christmas holiday rush, and enjoyed several days exploring the beaches and walks in the Abel Tasman National park. 

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