Abel Tasman National Park
Encyclopedia
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, is the smallest of New Zealand's national parks. The park consists of forested, hilly country to the north of the valleys of the Takaka
and Riwaka River
s, and is bounded to the north by the waters of Golden Bay
and Tasman Bay
. It is named after Abel Tasman
, who in 1642 became the first Europe
an explorer to sight New Zealand.
Abel Tasman National Park does not extend beyond Mean High Water Mark on the adjacent coast. Between Mean High Water and Mean Low Water Springs, the beaches are gazetted as a Scenic Reserve, covering 7.74 km² in total (about 70 km long). The Tonga Island Marine Reserve
adjoins part of the park.
Department of Conservation administers the National Park. The Scenic Reserve is administered by the Tasman District Council
(TDC) Chief Executive and Department of Conservation’s Nelson/ Marlborough Conservator.
Activities in adjoining coastal waters are TDC’s responsibility. These areas operate under separate regulations.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track
is a popular tramping track which follows the coastline; while an inland route, the Abel Tasman Inland Track
, is less frequented. Kayaking
, camping
and sightseeing are other activities carried out in the park.
The nearest large town is Motueka
, 20 kilometres to the south.
In 2008 an extra 7.9 km2, including the formerly private land known as Hadfields Clearing, were added to the park.
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
located at the north end of the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
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...
. The park was founded in 1942, largely through the efforts of ornithologist
Ornithology
Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
and author Perrine Moncrieff
Perrine Millais Moncrieff
Perrine Millais Moncrieff CBE was a New Zealand author, conservationist and amateur ornithologist.She was the granddaughter of Sir John Millais. She moved with her husband from Britain to New Zealand after the end of the First World War where they settled at Nelson...
to have land reserved for the purpose. With a coverage of only 225.3 square kilometres, is the smallest of New Zealand's national parks. The park consists of forested, hilly country to the north of the valleys of the Takaka
Takaka River
The Takaka River lies in the northwest of New Zealand's South Island. It runs north for 70 kilometres, entering Golden Bay near the town of Takaka....
and Riwaka River
Riwaka River
The Riwaka River is located in the Nelson region in the northwest of New Zealand's South Island. It flows for 20 kilometres, entering Tasman Bay close to the town of Riwaka, 10 kilometres north of Motueka....
s, and is bounded to the north by the waters of Golden Bay
Golden Bay
Golden Bay lies at the edge of the junction between the Tasman Sea and Cook Strait. It stretches for 45 kilometres from the long sand spit of Farewell Spit in the north to Separation Point in Abel Tasman National Park at its southern extremity...
and Tasman Bay
Tasman Bay
Tasman Bay is a large V-shaped bay at the north end of New Zealand's South Island. Located in the centre of the island's northern coast, it stretches along of coastline and is across at its widest point. It is an arm of the Tasman Sea, lying on the western approach to Cook Strait.At the bay's...
. It is named after Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman
Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the VOC . His was the first known European expedition to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand and to sight the Fiji islands...
, who in 1642 became the first Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an explorer to sight New Zealand.
Abel Tasman National Park does not extend beyond Mean High Water Mark on the adjacent coast. Between Mean High Water and Mean Low Water Springs, the beaches are gazetted as a Scenic Reserve, covering 7.74 km² in total (about 70 km long). The Tonga Island Marine Reserve
Tonga Island Marine Reserve
Tonga Island Marine Reserve is a protected area on the northern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It surrounds Tonga Island and is next to the Abel Tasman National Park. The marine reserve was created in 1993 and covers an area of .-External links:...
adjoins part of the park.
Department of Conservation administers the National Park. The Scenic Reserve is administered by the Tasman District Council
Tasman district council
Tasman District Council is the Territorial Local Authority for the Tasman District of New Zealand.-Mayor:The current mayor of Tasman is Richard Kempthorne, who previously served as a Richmond councillor for two terms before being elected Mayor in October 2007.-Councillors:Tasman elects its...
(TDC) Chief Executive and Department of Conservation’s Nelson/ Marlborough Conservator.
Activities in adjoining coastal waters are TDC’s responsibility. These areas operate under separate regulations.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track
Abel Tasman Coast Track
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a 51km 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...
is a popular tramping track which follows the coastline; while an inland route, 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...
, is less frequented. Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
and sightseeing are other activities carried out in the park.
The nearest large town is Motueka
Motueka
The town of Motueka in the South Island of New Zealand lies close to the mouth of the Motueka River, on the western shore of Tasman Bay. It is, after Nelson and Richmond, the third largest centre in the Tasman Region, with a population of 7125...
, 20 kilometres to the south.
In 2008 an extra 7.9 km2, including the formerly private land known as Hadfields Clearing, were added to the park.
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See also
- National parks of New ZealandNational parks of New ZealandThe national parks of New Zealand are 14 protected areas administered by the Department of Conservation "for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the public". These are popular tourist destinations, with three-tenths of tourists visiting at least one national park during their stay in New Zealand...
- New Zealand tramping tracksNew Zealand tramping tracksIn New Zealand, long distance walking or hiking for at least one overnight stay is known as tramping. There are a number of walkways in New Zealand, however most of these are relatively short and can be walked in a day or less. Many are also an easy walk, with well formed footpaths...
- New Zealand Great WalksNew Zealand Great WalksThe 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...
External links
- Department of Conservation information on Abel Tasman National Park
- Images from the Abel Tasman National Park