Abel Tasman Coast Track

Getting to the Abel Tasman Coast Track:

Marahau, the southern gateway to the Abel Tasman Coast Track, is 67 km from Nelson on sealed road. The track is well serviced by public transport including buses/coaches and boat transport. Contact transport operators directly for their pick up/drop off locations and timetables.

You’ll begin your journey as you cross the estuary over the Mārahau causeway, and follow the track, first through open country, then lush beech forest with large kānuka trees. The track eventually turns inland, winding in and out of several little gullies before emerging to a view of the beautiful Anchorage Bay. Here you’ll descend to Anchorage Hut and Campsite

Anchorage Hut

Fare per night during Great Walks season is $70 for New Zealand citizens, $140 for international visitors.

Rākauroa/Torrent Bay estuary can be crossed within 2 hours either side of low tide, or you can take the all-tide track around it. An impressive 47-metre long suspension bridge takes you over Falls River. You’ll then meander through lush coastal forest before being led back to the sea and the idyllic golden sands of Bark Bay (Wairima).

Bark Bay Hut

Fare per night during Great Walks season is $70 for New Zealand citizens, $140 for international visitors.

Cross the beautiful Bark Bay estuary 2 hours either side of low tide or follow the all-tide track around the edge of the estuary. A steep climb takes you through stands of mānuka. Return to the coast at Tonga Quarry and it’s a short walk from there to Onetahuti Bay, where one of the longest beaches in the Abel Tasman stretches before you. Cross the channel north of the campsite 4 hr either side of low tide. As you leave Onetahuti and start to descend from Tonga Saddle down to Awaroa Inlet, take a non-DOC track to visit the famous Awaroa Beach before returning to the main track.

Awaroa Hut

Fare per night during Great Walks season is $70 for New Zealand citizens, $140 for international visitors.

Awaroa Inlet can only be crossed within 1 hour 30 minutes before and 2 hours after low tide. Along the track, the scenery alternates between sandy beaches and rocky headlands of regenerating kānuka. Camp or stay in the cosy and historic Whariwharangi Hut (a former homestead built around 1896) just behind the beach.

Whariwharangi Bay Hut

Fare per night during Great Walks season is $70 for New Zealand citizens, $140 for international visitors.

Follow a trickling stream and climb above the bay to a saddle overlooking the serene Wainui Inlet. The inlet is a great place to swim or to explore rock pools. The track winds down to the shore and follows the estuary edge to the car park.