The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest national park at 22,350ha. Established in 1942 it is famous for its golden beaches, turquoise waters, native bush walks and spectacular scenery.
There are two walking tracks; the beautiful coastal track which takes 3-5 days to walk the entire length and the more remote inland track through the hilly centre of the park which also takes 3-5 days.
Many visitors kayak or walk part of the way. You can mix and match your own itinerary so talk to Ocean River about your plans.
The parks' rocky coastline is a haven for miniature marine life and is always a fascinating place to explore. Between the tides, plants and animals each occupy distinct bands like the forest zones between sea level and the bush-line. Periwinkles, tubeworms, Neptune's necklace, starfish and pink algae are all adapted to a particular level of exposure to sun and wind. Underwater, you will discover seaweed, sea urchins or 'kina' and Cook's turban shells.
The three largest islands in the park, Tonga, Adele and Fisherman, are home to many native plants and animal species which are either low in number or are no longer found on the nearby mainland.
Tonga Island Marine Reserve
Tonga Island Marine Reserve is only the third marine reserve to be created alongside a national park. It covers an area of 1835 hectares, extending one nautical mile (1852 metres) offshore from the mean high water mark of Tonga Island, and the coast between Awaroa Head and the headland separating Bark Bay and Mosquito Bay. Tonga Island is legendary as a seal hot-spot. (Please remember that seals must not be approached closer than 20 metres and you can not land on the island)
The marine reserve protects all marine life within its boundaries, benefiting not just fish and shellfish, but also animals like seals, penguins and other seabirds that live on the land but feed in the sea. (Information courtesy of Department of Conservation).
Adele Island
Island is a strikingly beautiful island and is predator free. It is home to many native New Zealand birds and the west side of the island has some great beaches which shift with the tide. With rapidly growing numbers of native birds, the bird chorus is like the birdsong early explorers heard.
Fisherman Island
Stunning remote island situated in the park just waiting to be explored! Bustling with native wildlife, secluded and wondrous, this island is a must see on your journey.
The Abel Tasman has an excellent coastal walking track, and a more remote inland track. Walking sections of the coastal track can be integrated with sea kayaking along the Abel Tasman coastline.
Department of Conservation advertises the following walking times:
There are a number of excellent tidal lagoons along the Abel Tasman coastline (e.g. Torrent Bay Lagoon, Frenchman's Bay Lagoon, Falls River, Bark Bay, Shag Harbour).
Generally these can be explored by sea kayak 2 hours either side of high tide. There is insufficient water to kayak in the lagoons outside these times.
For walking, take the high tide route around if it looks too deep. The 2 hour rule offers the best margin of safety and comfort. To determine tide times for a given date, use the DoC Tide timetables.
2 hours either side of low tide is fine for Awaroa Estuary,
Exploring the rocky shoreline