Abel Tasman National Park
Sunrise at the secluded Te Pukatea Campsite on our last day of Abel Tasman Coastal Track.
Abel Tasman National Park, located on the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island is the country's smallest national park. Nevertheless, it offers a stunning diversity of natural beauty and ecosystems from its golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, lush coastal forests, granite cliffs, pristine estuaries, and sheltered bays…
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The coastal forests are home to a variety of flora and fauna, including native birds such as the tui and bellbird. The surrounding sea is rich with marine life, including seals, dolphins, and a variety of fish species. The park is named after the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first European to sight New Zealand in 1642.
In September 2023 in the off-season, we explored the national park by completing the 60km long Abel Tasman Coastal Track, hiking from the Separation Point on the north to the Mārahau in the south. It has been a peaceful 4-day journey full of surprises. From naughty weka (large endemic flightless rail) tearing through our tent and backpack to get to the bar of chocolate to an unexpected hail storm from which we hid away in the coastal forest.
The bays were full of New Zealand fur seals or kekeno as they are called in Māori.
Human-like structure on Anapai Bay where we stayed the first night.
The park is full of beautiful golden bays, with campgrounds located under the forest canopy, right next to the beach. There are also numerous huts for those that prefer to hike without much equipment.
Sunset at Tonga Quarry Campsite, where we lost our fight with a naughty weka who tear through around tent and backpack just to obtain a peace of chocolate in one of the pockets.
The park's ecosystems are diverse, ranging from coastal dunes and estuaries to lush lowland forests and tidal inlets.