What is the Abel Tasman Great Walk?
The Abel Tasman Great Walk is one of the most popular walks in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s a beautiful coastal track through the Abel Tasman National Park, which is at the top of the South Island. It’s just a couple of hours away from the Farewell Spit, which is the very tip of the island!
There are two entrances to the track, from either Mārahau or Wainui. The full track usually takes around 3-5 days, covering 60 km. You’ll walk through the native New Zealand bush and cross plenty of stunning, golden beaches. Just watch out for those pesky Wekas!
You can even spend weeks on the track if you stay at every camp (people don’t really do this). However, if you’re not a fan of camping or are just looking for a daytime activity, there are also plenty of day walks you can do! You could start from either end, Wainui or Mārahau, walk until you find a bay you like, and take the water taxi back to your car. You can even walk in for a couple of hours and walk back out! No sweat…well, maybe a little sweat. It gets a bit sweaty in the bush, especially on a blistering day in the middle of summer. But that’s the Abel Tasman for ya.
Who is the Abel Tasman Great Walk for?
On our travels through the Tasman forest, we came across big families with children and even babies secured comfortably on the back of an adult. The bobbing up and down of the track seemed to be a perfect way to rock them to sleep! There were also plenty of solo hikers both young and old, as well as couples and groups of young travellers.
Whether you’re a pro hiker or it’s your first-ever tramp, it’s a pretty basic track with plenty of flats and no crazy terrain. There are a few hills or short steep bits up the hill before coming down again into a bay. The steep uphills are never for very long though (There are incline/decline maps on the DOC website if you’re looking for specifics).
As long as you make sure to plan your trip well considering the members of your group, and time the tidal crossings right, you shouldn’t have any problems.
How do I get to the start of the Abel Tasman Great Walk?
Mārahau is about an hour’s drive from Nelson and is a great place to start the track. It’s also probably the most popular entrance. Grab a coffee at Park Cafe just outside the gate before you go and you’ll be set!
The Abel Tasman Great Walk can be walked either North or South, but most people start from either Mārahau or Tōtaranui. The official end of the track actually goes to Wainui car park.
So if you have a car, that’s great! However, no water taxi service goes to Wainui. This means depending on where you started you’d have to walk back to Wainui from Tōtaranui (if you took the water taxi back from Mārahau) to get your car. Or, backtrack to Tōtaranui from Wainui to get a water taxi back to Mārahau (I tried to explain but it still sounds complicated!).
We chose to start from Mārahau and walk north finishing in Tōtaranui. From there, getting a water taxi back to Mārahau and getting back to our car was easy.
Transport to and from the Abel Tasman Great Walk
Water Taxis! Make the most of the water taxi services along the Abel Tasman National Walk. If you’re going to use one of these, it’s best you book your seats beforehand, just to be safe. These cost around $60 one way and they even point out landmarks and wildlife. The ticket price also includes your hiking bags. We took the water taxi back from Totaranui to Mārahau and we got to see seals! There is also road access from Mārahau, Tōtaranui and Wainiu with parking too.
Where is the best place to Park?
Our preference is the big car park at the start of the Abel Tasman on the Mārahau side. It’s free parking! Like any car park, be sure to cover any valuables from sight, and double-check you’ve locked your car…tsk.
It gets so hot in the area so be wary about leaving anything inside your car that will melt eg. blocks of shampoo, bottles of lotion, even chocolate! They will 100% leak and make a mess.
We also like this parking space because of the Park Cafe right next to it. They do an epic wood-fired vegan pizza – perfect to finish your tramp with. Check out our post on vegan food in Golden Bay for more of our yummy recommendations in the area.
What do I need to book for the Abel Tasman Great Walk?
Everything needed for this walk is done through the DOC website. Bookings open for each season on a certain day, so mark it in your calendar! It’s especially crucial to get in there early if you want to go in peak season (during summer and the Christmas holidays) or want to stay in the huts. There is a bit more availability for campsite, but it’s probably still good to book your spots sooner rather than later if you want the first pick! The DOC website will have all the information you need in terms of bookings.
What Campsites or Huts should I pick for the Abel Tasman Great Walk?
It’s hard to know which are the best sites to pick when planning where you’ll spend your nights on your hike. There are around 18 different camping grounds to choose from and only 3 of them have huts as an option. When you are booking campsites make sure to check what facilities they have as some don’t have covered cooking shelters which can be handy in the rain.
The huts are a great option if you have never hiked before or are with a larger group. It also means you have less gear to carry (like a whole tent!). However, tenting is better if you want a little bit more space and privacy, or you just missed out on booking the huts. Wherever you end up staying, make sure to check out the stars on a clear night!
What’s the bathroom situation?
Don’t fear! Every camp has facilities, and some even have flushing toilets! More so than you would think. If it’s not flushing, it’s a long drop. All facilities are well looked after by the DOC Rangers. Just pop the lid of the toilet down once you’re finished to keep from attracting bugs. And make sure to bring toilet paper in case you have to venture into the bush for your business!
Our Review of each Campsite and Beach we stayed at on the Abel Tasman:
We know that the number of campsites can be overwhelming to choose from. These are the ones we stayed at ourselves which we found to be good options, and would definitely stay at them again for different reasons. We chose these camps so our walking days would be relatively short and we could spend the afternoons swimming and enjoying the bays!
Anchorage
The first camp we stayed at was about 4 hours from the beginning of the Abel Tasman track in Mārahau. It was gorgeous views from the beach with the surrounding cliffs and forest, and very busy! There’s a hut here, and this is a spot where many people park their boats for a few nights to enjoy the bay. It’s probably the most popular site because of this, so there are plenty of people! Anchorage has a large cooking shelter (with power points for your phone!), flushing toilets, a changing room and even a cold outdoor shower on the beach (ah luxury). There is also a bonus walk, probably around 45 minutes, to a lookout at Pitt Head, just on the way to the Pukatea Bay campground.
Onetahuti
The longest beach on the Abel Tasman Great Walk, and one of the most beautiful ones. It’s an easy swimming spot as the camp is right on the beach (seriously, it’s on the sand!). There isn’t a crazy amount of sandflies, but you definitely need to keep an eye on the Weka roaming about. The cooking shelter here isn’t as big as Anchorage, but it’s got everything you need and is right up by the campsites. There is no hut here, but there are flushing toilets! Have breakfast on the beach after your morning swim and you’ll start the day off right.
Waiharakeke
This campground was smaller than the rest, with only a few spaces for tents, and no huts. This meant the camp was super quiet, as there were only 5 other tents with us when we stayed! It had one toilet (flushing!) one sink and one tap. The beach was a minute away, but there was next to no shelter so we were completely exposed to the hot wind and bright sun. We totally did not wear enough sunscreen… It was a good choice for us to stay here for the last night, as it meant the next day was cruisy – only an hour to Tōtaranui to finish!
Tidal Crossings
There are three tidal crossings along the track that you’ll eventually have to make your way across. Two have high tide tracks if you don’t want to leave at 2am to catch the low tide, or wait around for the day for the later one! Although sometimes the high tide tracks add a bit more time onto your day’s walk so do be cautious. The other crossing (Awaroa inlet) doesn’t have a high tide track, so you’ll have to plan your day accordingly and time your crossing well. Think about where you are staying and what time low tide is. Planning will make your walk much more enjoyable! The tide tables can be found on the doc website.
Torrent Bay Crossing
The Torrent Bay crossing is right after you leave Anchorage or just before you arrive, depending on what direction you are heading in. It can be crossed about two hours on either side of low tide. Be aware that unless you have strapped sandals, it’s best to go barefoot. Flip flops and thick sloppy mud are not a good mix! We were able to cross about three hours before low tide because we were on a mission, and didn’t mind getting wet – the water went up to mid-thigh while we crossed. However, don’t count on being able to cross early.
There is also the option to take the high tide track, but this will take an extra hour. But if you don’t mind the extra time, this track gives access to Cleopatra’s Pools! These are serene freshwater pools located inland. Unfortunately at the time we did the track the bridge had been washed out so we couldn’t actually get to them. The DOC warden always has the most up-to-date information so if you are unsure of the best option you can always ask at your campsite.
Bark Bay Crossing
This is the easiest of the crossings because if you don’t bother timing the lowtide right, there’s a high tide track that only adds ten minutes to your walk. This one can also be crossed 2 hours on either side of low tide if you did want to cross over. We opted for the high tide track because we wanted to leave earlier. It’s also a great option for walking in the afternoon as it’s much cooler and covered compared to the exposed crossing.
Awaroa Inlet Crossing
The Awaroa is the longest of the crossings and has no high tide track. This means you really do have to plan your hike in time with the low tide, as it can only be crossed an hour and a half before or two hours after low tide. Be prepared for lots of mud and crabs and sharp shells hiding in the sloppy estuary. The crossing can take up to 30 minutes and should only be completed in the daylight. Make sure to check the DOC website for any warnings as conditions can vary if there is high rain or other extreme weather.
Is the water safe to drink?
While DOC recommends filtering or boiling the tap water before you drink it, we didn’t bother and we survived! Though we probably would suggest doing either of those things just to be safe, especially if you’re used to drinking filtered or bottled water. Making sure you’re drinking plenty and keeping yourselves hydrated at the end of the day is essential to feeling well and having enough energy for the rest of the hike. We even recommend bringing along some hydrolites or electrolites just as an extra booster!
What vegan meals should I bring?
For dehydrated meals, our favourite brands are Radix and Local Dehy (recently closed). We also love a quick satay noodle with dehydrated peas or a simple dhal if you want a tastier more affordable option.
For lunches, we tend to go for wraps or pita bread with the Grater Goods sliced deli meats and veggies with a nice chutney or hummus of some sort.
Snacks are also so important! Grab a handful of muesli bars, dried fruits, nuts, or crackers. Peanut butter slugs are an essential! Fruits and veggies are good too, anything that gives you the energy to keep you going on a big hike.
Should I Kayak or Walk the Abel Tasman Great Walk?
Kayaking is a great alternative to walking. There are plenty of rental companies to choose from, with lots of different options that combine walking and kayaking the track. However, it definitely is more expensive than simply hiking the trail because you have to pay for the kayak rental. For example, the three-day freedom kayak is around $250 per person. This does not include the campsite or hut bookings.
If you are an experienced kayaker it’s a pretty easy trip if the sea is flat. Obviously, if the weather is bad it can be more challenging. Most of the kayaking companies don’t require previous experience to rent a kayak. Although you should keep in mind if you are planning on going with children that the minimum age to use a kayak is fourteen. There’s also no need to do a guided trip unless you particularly want to, as it’s very easy to navigate yourself even with no experience.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to kayak the whole Abel Tasman area, so if you’re wanting to complete the whole track you’re gonna have to do some walking. We think it’s totally worth kayaking a part of it as it adds a whole other experience to the hike. There are beaches only accessible by kayak, and you’re also able to spot marine life that you wouldn’t otherwise see from the track. Plus, the views of the bays from the kayak are epic!
Please be sunsmart if you’re kayaking in the summer! You’re completely exposed out there on the water, and you’ll burn to a crisp if you’re not covered head to toe in long sleeves, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Slip slop slap and wrap like your life depends on it!
Keep in mind that you do need to be able to physically lift the kayak up the beach. At some huts or campsites, there’s even a bit of a walk to where you can safely store the kayak for the night.
Do I need to go with a guide?
There are so many signposts, camps and main tracks on the Abel Tasman Great Walk that you would probably have to try really hard to get lost. Make sure you’ve got a map (or at least one downloaded on your phone) and you’ll make it through just fine and dandy without a guide!
The Weather on the Abel Tasman Great Walk
If you’re ever doing anything outside, especially during summer in NZ, SUNSREEN IS ESSENTIAL! The UV rays are so harsh on this side of the equator that you can burn even when overcast. While some parts of the track are under the cover of trees there are still parts that are exposed to the weather. Make sure you come prepared with a hat and sunglasses!
When hiking you always need to prepare for a turn in the weather. You do not want to find yourself unprepared for unexpected rain or a storm! Always take along a rain cover for your pack, so your gear doesn’t get drenched.
Internet and cell reception on the Abel Tasman Great Walk
Reception is loose on the track, and you can get service in the most random of places. Don’t count on being able to contact anyone on the outside once you’ve begun, and make sure you have plans in place for when you’re out the other end! Some of the more popular campsites have a bit of reception, but you probably won’t have the internet to be able to binge a Netflix show like you might usually.
Awaroa Pizzeria and Lodge
In the middle of the Abel Tasman Great Walk, just before the Awaroa Inlet, there is a Pizzeria and restaurant to reward you for your hard work. The Pizzeria is popular during the day amongst hikers who need a well-deserved rest and a cold drink. The Harakeke Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and serves at least one vegan meal for each time of day (just make sure you specifically request this!). If you’re wanting to stop into the restaurant for some kai or a coffee, double-check what time they are open as they close between each service and you wouldn’t want to miss it!
Abel Tasman Great Walk Summary
Overall the Abel Tasman Great Walk is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful hiking tracks, and because of that it is extremely popular. If you’re looking for an active beach holiday with plenty of flexibility and a variety of options, this is the perfect hike for you. The Abel Tasman is one of our all-time favourite spots in Aotearoa and we will continue to come back to explore new areas! If you’re hanging around Golden Bay and get hungry, then check out our vegan guide.
We have a great guide to the Queen Charlotte Track if you are keen on more beachy multi-day hikes!
If you are looking for some shorter day walks to do in New Zealand check out our posts on walks in Wellington or Christchurch!
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