In a nutshell
- Abel Tasman is an absolute New Zealand must-see — and this guide covers everything you need to plan your visit.
- We share our 7 top highlights in Abel Tasman National Park and explain exactly how to reach each one.
- You’ll get honest hotel recommendations for the area plus our pick for the best guided tour if you only have one day.
- We also answer the most important practical questions — including how the water taxis work and the best time to go.
What You Need to Know About Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman is the smallest national park in New Zealand, but also one of the most popular. It’s without a doubt one of the top attractions in New Zealand.
You can’t explore Abel Tasman by car, driving from one sight to the next. You can either go on foot or take a water taxi.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track runs through the park — one of the Great Walks. These are nine exceptionally scenic multi-day trails in New Zealand. The Abel Tasman Coast Track is 51 kilometers long in total, but you can also walk smaller sections of it.
The only three villages you can reach by car in Abel Tasman are Marahau, Awaroa, and Totaranui.
Is Abel Tasman National Park Worth It?
If you want to include Abel Tasman National Park in your road trip route through New Zealand, you may have to skip other highlights like Kaikoura or Arthur’s Pass.
We’d suggest choosing Abel Tasman if you love hiking and if beaches and the ocean appeal to you more than mountains.
Where Is Abel Tasman National Park?
To help you get your bearings, we’ve put together a map with our highlights in Abel Tasman National Park.
The map also shows the route of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Our Top Highlights in Abel Tasman National Park
Split Apple Rock
What do you need to know? Split Apple Rock is a rock formation in Tasman Bay that looks exactly like a split apple. The granite split naturally — though nobody knows when or why.
Is it worth it? Absolutely! The split rock is an incredibly popular photo subject — and no wonder. Especially at sunset, the giant stone rising out of the Tasman Sea is seriously something to behold.
Our tip: You can reach Split Apple Rock on foot from Kaiteriteri. Even easier, though, is hopping on a water taxi headed toward Awaroa — you’ll pass right by it.
Anchorage Bay
What do you need to know? The Abel Tasman Coast Track runs right along Anchorage Bay and Anchorage Beach. The beach sits between two headlands, making it a perfect anchorage for small yachts and other boats — which is exactly where it gets its name.
Is it worth it? A beautiful beach is always worth it. But here, tucked between the headlands, you can swim and sunbathe in particularly sheltered, wind-protected conditions. Really lovely.
Our tip: If you’re up for more adventure, at low tide you can walk from Anchorage Beach to Torrent Bay in just 20 minutes.
Cleopatra's Pool
What do you need to know? Cleopatra’s Pool is a series of rock pools of various sizes — natural basins carved into the stone — at the end of the Torrent River. You reach them via the High Tide Route on the Torrent–Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Is it worth it? Totally! At Cleopatra’s Pool, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into another world. It’s not only stunningly beautiful but also completely peaceful. It’s not uncommon to have the place entirely to yourself — perfect for a truly memorable picnic.
Falls River Swing Bridge
What do you need to know? The Falls River Swing Bridge is a 40-meter-long, 20-meter-high suspension bridge spanning the Falls River. It’s part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track and connects Torrent Bay with Bark Bay on the other side.
Is it worth it? Don’t miss crossing this bridge when visiting Abel Tasman. The views of the river and surrounding forest are fantastic, the photo opportunities are great, and depending on the time of day, you might even spot kayakers and water taxis passing below.
Tonga Island
What do you need to know? Tonga Island is a tiny island in Tasman Bay. You can view it from a distance or head out by kayak or water taxi.
Is it worth it? 100%! Tonga Island is a fantastic spot for seal watching — huge numbers of them live here. The seals are so used to human visitors that they’ll swim right up to the boats. It’s an absolutely incredible experience.
Awaroa Bay
What do you need to know? Awaroa Bay sits a little off the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The beach here is also called “People’s Beach” — and for good reason. It was saved from passing into private ownership thanks to donations from New Zealanders. How cool is that!
Is it worth it? Definitely! Awaroa Bay is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also one of the very few places in all of Abel Tasman National Park where you’ll find a restaurant. You can enjoy a delicious pizza and a cold drink in the sun. Simply perfect.
Totaranui Beach
What do you need to know? Totaranui Beach is a long, golden beach at the northern end of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Because of its location, it often serves as the start or end point for a hike through the entire national park.
Is it worth it? Totaranui Beach is yet another standout in Abel Tasman National Park. You can kayak, go boating, swim, and hike. Right on the beach you’ll also find the Totaranui Campground — a great option if you want to stay longer.
Taking a Guided Tour Through Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park covers an area of over 230 square kilometers. Exploring every corner of it takes several days.
But if you want to see the best spots in a short amount of time — meaning in a single day — joining a guided tour is a great way to experience things to do in Abel Tasman National Park without the planning hassle.
Our top pick is the Abel Tasman National Park Boat Tour with Guided Walk.
This guided tour gives you three route options to choose from. Route 1 is the easiest, Route 2 is the most extensive, and Route 3 requires a bit more endurance.
Route 1: Beaches and Bays
- 2.5 hours and 7 kilometers
- Boat ride from Kaiteriteri Beach to Apple Tree Bay
- Short walk to Anchorage Beach
- Return trip to Kaiteriteri Beach
Route 2: Forest and Swing Bridge
- 4 hours and 10.5 kilometers
- Boat ride from Kaiteriteri Beach to Medlands Beach
- Walk to Anchorage Beach
- South Head lookout point
- Walk across the famous Falls River Swing Bridge
- Visit to Cleopatra’s Pool
- Return trip to Kaiteriteri Beach
Route 3: Beaches
- 3.5 hours and 8.8 kilometers
- Boat ride from Kaiteriteri Beach to Awaroa Beach
- Walk to five beaches between Awaroa Beach and Medlands Beach
- Stop at Awaroa Lodge Café with views of Bark Bay
- Return trip to Kaiteriteri Beach
Book the Abel Tasman boat tour and guided walk online
Where to Stay Near Abel Tasman National Park
The nearest place to stay is Marahau, which is also where all the water taxis depart from. That said, the hotel selection is very limited and the accommodations tend to be on the dated side.
We recommend staying in Kaiteriteri instead. The small town is just a 15-minute drive from Marahau, sits on a beautiful beach, and has a few solid restaurants.
Here are our hotel recommendations for Kaiteriteri:
Practical Tips for Visiting Abel Tasman National Park
Here are answers to the most common questions about Abel Tasman National Park, plus a few pointers to help you plan your trip.
Also read all our travel tips for New Zealand
When is the best time to visit Abel Tasman National Park?
Abel Tasman National Park sits in one of the warmest regions of New Zealand. Even in winter, temperatures can reach up to 13 degrees.
For us, the best time to go is in spring or fall. The weather is ideal for hiking during those seasons.
In summer you can enjoy swimming in the bays, but it’s peak tourist season and the beaches get significantly more crowded.
Important: The seasons in New Zealand are the opposite of what you’re used to in the Northern Hemisphere. You can find more details in our article on the best time to visit New Zealand.
How many days should you plan for Abel Tasman National Park?
You can comfortably explore Abel Tasman in one full day (meaning with one overnight stay near the national park). That’s enough time for a boat trip and a short hike.
That said, there’s so much to see and do here — you could easily spend one or two more nights and still find new things to explore.
How do you get around in Abel Tasman National Park?
Only three places in Abel Tasman are accessible by car (Marahau, Awaroa, and Totaranui). Otherwise, your options are hiking along the Abel Tasman Coast Track or traveling by water taxi.
How do the water taxis in Abel Tasman National Park work?
Several water taxi operators run services in Abel Tasman National Park, including AquaTaxi.
The water taxis depart from the boat dock in Marahau and stop at various bays along the way. Drop-off points and departure times are available online.
You can hop on and off at any stop you like and explore sections of the park on foot in between — it’s a super flexible way to see the highlights.
Since water taxi capacity is limited, we strongly recommend booking your ticket online a few days in advance — especially during peak season in the New Zealand summer.
What should you bring when hiking in Abel Tasman National Park?
What you need depends on your planned activities and the time of year. In general, we’d recommend packing at least the following:
- Sunscreen and a sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Weatherproof clothing
- Good walking shoes
- Swimwear and a towel, if needed
- Plenty of water and snacks
Who was Abel Tasman?
Abel Tasman was a Dutch explorer and the first European to set foot in New Zealand.
