Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand: A Place of Wondrous Beauty
By Mary M. Alward

Abel Tasman National Park is the perfect place to visit year ‘round because of its mild climate. The park is well known for its world famous coastal tracks, its beautiful sandy beaches and its high, sculptured cliffs.

Cultural, Historic and Natural Beauty

For over 500 years, the Maori made their homes along the Abel Tasman Coast. They gathered food from estuaries, forests and the sea, besides growing kumera where conditions were suitable. Some sites in the Awaroa estuary were permanent while all others were only temporary.

In December 1862, Abel Tasman anchored two ships near Wainii in Golden Bay. He was the first European to visit Aotearoa, New Zealand and lost several crew members in a skirmish with natives. Permanent European settlement began to spring up in 1865. The settlers built ships, quarried granite, logged forests and created pastures on the rolling hillsides. The settlements prospered until that forests that were easily accessible had been logged out and then the settlements declined rapidly. There is little left today to attest to their existence.

In 1942, on the anniversary of Abel Tasman’s visit to the area, 15,000 hectares of crown land was designated for this national park. The reason was to save the forests from further logging ventures and to preserve the natural wonders of the area, which include fascinating granite rock formations with a scattering of marble and limestone. Rich estuaries and golden, sandy beaches draw visitors to the area. Though the land has been modified, vegetation cover varies greatly and attests to the history of land clearing and fires. However, regeneration of plant species is flourishing especially in the damp gullies of the area. Black beech trees dominate on the high ridges overlooking the lush valleys.

Along the pukeko and in the areas surrounding the estuaries and wetlands, forest birds such as bellbirds and tui are common. The park’s boundaries do not include the estuaries or seabed, but the Tonga Island Marine Reserve was created in 1993 to protect these areas along the Abel Tasman coast. All life in the Reserve, as in Abel Tasman is protected.

Accessing the Park

Today, Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest and consists of 22,530 hectares. It is located at the top of South Island. The closest towns are Kaiteriteri, Motueka and Takaka. At either end of the coastal track, roads lead to Marahau and Totaranui and provide visitors access to the Inland Track system. Bus services are both regular and on demand to Abel Tasman from local towns. Water taxi and launch services are also available.

Accommodations

Throughout the park visitors will find designated campsites with fireplaces, a water supply and toilets. There are four huts along the Inland Track and four along the Coast Track. If visitors plan on using facilities along the Coast Track a camp or hut pass must be purchased. A hut booking system is in place from October 1st to April 30th each year.

A campground with basic facilities but no power is available at Totaranui. In summer, accommodations must be booked. An education centre that accommodates fourty also operates. In towns near Abel Tasman visitors will find backpacker accommodations, lodges and motels.

Activities

Boating, sailing and sea kayaking allows visitors access to beautiful sheltered coves that cannot be accessed from the track. Rentals and tours are available locally.

If you have a desire to explore Abel Tasman, walk the Inland Track that winds through the rolling hills of the park’s centre. The other option is to walk the Coastal Track with all of its beautiful panoramic views. This “Great Walk,” is an easier level than the Inland Track and just as wondrous.

There are also several short walks available at the road ends, or take advantage of water transport service that will allow you to disembark halfway along the coast.

Things to Remember

If visitors plan to stay overnight along the tracks of Abel Tasman, they need to be well equipped. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is a must. A portable stove, sleeping bag, cooking utensils, rain gear and warm layers of clothing are necessary. Carry water treatment chemicals and boil all water, as Giardia has been found in park water. Check weather and track conditions at a local Department of Conservation office. Carry a First Aid Kit and lots of energy producing food in case of an emergency.

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