Camp under the stars, while away the days in a beautifully appointed lodge, and feel the sand between your toes as you walk along spectacular golden sand beaches at any time of year. It’s all possible in the Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand’s smallest and most popular national park.

The Abel Tasman Coastal Track follows a pristine coastline of extraordinary beauty. Clear, turquoise bays, abundant bird and sea life, and fresh, clean air surround you as you walk under the shady canopy of lush native forest. Birdsong rings through the treetops above, only interrupted by the call of the occasional small waterfall nestled in the midst of the park.

You can walk into the Park from the seaside village of Marahau, Canaan Downs (at the top of Takaka Hill) or the picturesque Wainui Bay. Or, you can be dropped off at various points along the track by sea, paddle in by kayak, or be flown into the airstrip in Awaroa Bay by plane or helicopterSeveral water transport operators are based in Kaiteriteri and Marahau at the southern end of the Park, and many offer combo options so you can cruise, walk or kayak sections of the park at your own pace. 

Whether you have all the time in the world or just a few hours, you can still make the most of being in this extraordinary place. Believe it or not, after a day out sightseeing, you can refuel in the heart of the park with hot coffee, cold beer or delicious food on offer at Awaroa LodgeOther spectacular lodges are dotted along the coastline, nestled amongst sweeping sheltered bays and subtropical native forests. As you awake in paradise, with home-cooked breakfasts and idyllic sea views right on your doorstep, we guarantee you'll want to pinch yourself to ensure you're not dreaming. 

Here in Nelson Tasman, we consider ourselves guardians of our beautiful environment. We honour the very first guardians of this place, the Māori, who lived along the coast for more than 500 years, gathering kai (food) from the sea and the forest. We celebrate this extraordinary history and love to share it with the visitors who now walk in their footsteps. Simply by visiting, you contribute to helping us care for our national park to benefit our flora and fauna and for future generations of locals and visitors to enjoy.

Several sustainability initiatives embrace and support our guardianship of this place, including Project JanszoonAbel Tasman Birdsong TrustTasman Bay Guardians and Abel Tasman Tree Collective. These organisations work to restore and revive the native plants, birds and wildlife in the park. If you wish, you can donate and support these charities, join on one of our community planting days, or learn more about conservation with an eco-tour in the park. 

The places that make up the Nelson Tasman region are each remarkable in their own right, and if you have the time to explore, you'll discover a wealth of extraordinary experiences right at your fingertips.

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