Abel Tasman Coast Track
Encyclopedia
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a 51km (32 mile) long New Zealand
walking track within the Abel Tasman National Park
. It extends from Marahau
in the south to Wainui in the north, with many optional side tracks. It is one of two main tracks through Abel Tasman National Park, the other being the Abel Tasman Inland Track
, which stretches for 38km between Tinline Bay and Torrent Bay
off the main coastal track. The coastal track is well sheltered, and with mild weather in all seasons, it is accessible and open throughout the year.
As one of the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) Great Walks
, the coastal track is well formed and easy to follow. The track is the most popular tramping track in New Zealand, and caters for approximately 200,000 visitors every year. It can be walked independently or with commercial operators with guiding, camping, lodge stay and boat stay options. Following a protected coastline, many people combine walking and sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park.
To walk the entire 51km length of the coastal track takes from 3 to 5 days. Single day walks are popular as many points are accessible by boat from beaches along the track. Commercial water taxi and boat operators provide pick-up and drop-off services.
To stay overnight in the National Park, visitors must use officially recognised accommodations. Independent travellers use DOC campsites and huts that must be reserved in advanced during the most popular months. Commercial properties occupy private land within the boundaries of the National Park and provide lodge-style accommodation. Backpacker accommodation is provided by boats moored off the National Park coast.
With one of the largest tidal range
s in New Zealand, the coast track includes some tidal crossings that can only be negotiated at low tide. Independent walkers and sea kayakers need to have information on tides in the area to plan their trips.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
walking track within the Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is a national park located at the north end of the South Island of New Zealand. The park was founded in 1942, largely through the efforts of ornithologist and author Perrine Moncrieff to have land reserved for the purpose. With a coverage of only 225.3 square kilometres,...
. It extends from Marahau
Marahau
Marahau is a very small settlement located in the Tasman Region of the South Island of New Zealand, approximately 19 kilometers north of Motueka. Its location on Tasman Bay and at the southern entrance of Abel Tasman National Park makes it a popular holiday destination for trampers, kayakers and...
in the south to Wainui in the north, with many optional side tracks. It is one of two main tracks through Abel Tasman National Park, the other being the Abel Tasman Inland Track
Abel Tasman Inland Track
The Abel Tasman Inland Track is a 38 km tramping track that runs through the centre of the Abel Tasman National Park and is maintained by the Department of Conservation. It diverts from the main Abel Tasman Coast Track between Tinline Bay and Torrent Bay...
, which stretches for 38km between Tinline Bay and Torrent Bay
Torrent Bay
Torrent Bay is a bay in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand. It was named by French explorer Dumont D'Urville during his exploration and mapping of this area of New Zealand in 1827, Torrent Bay was surveyed as a village in the 1920s...
off the main coastal track. The coastal track is well sheltered, and with mild weather in all seasons, it is accessible and open throughout the year.
As one of the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) Great Walks
New Zealand Great Walks
The New Zealand Great Walks are a set of popular tramping tracks. They are New Zealand's premier tracks, through areas of some of the best scenery in the country...
, the coastal track is well formed and easy to follow. The track is the most popular tramping track in New Zealand, and caters for approximately 200,000 visitors every year. It can be walked independently or with commercial operators with guiding, camping, lodge stay and boat stay options. Following a protected coastline, many people combine walking and sea kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park.
To walk the entire 51km length of the coastal track takes from 3 to 5 days. Single day walks are popular as many points are accessible by boat from beaches along the track. Commercial water taxi and boat operators provide pick-up and drop-off services.
To stay overnight in the National Park, visitors must use officially recognised accommodations. Independent travellers use DOC campsites and huts that must be reserved in advanced during the most popular months. Commercial properties occupy private land within the boundaries of the National Park and provide lodge-style accommodation. Backpacker accommodation is provided by boats moored off the National Park coast.
With one of the largest tidal range
Tidal range
The tidal range is the vertical difference between the high tide and the succeeding low tide. Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun and the rotation of the Earth...
s in New Zealand, the coast track includes some tidal crossings that can only be negotiated at low tide. Independent walkers and sea kayakers need to have information on tides in the area to plan their trips.