Trip to Abel Tasman National Park and the town of Motueka
Abel Tasman National Park
This is the smallest national park in New Zealand - 225 sq km, but it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, popular, and accessible in the country. The park is located at the northern tip of the South Island of New Zealand. The park was opened in 1942, exactly 300 years after the arrival of Abel Tasman, the first European explorer to reach New Zealand. The park features golden beaches, massive granite cliffs, rocks in interesting shapes, a temperate rainforest, islands and islets, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and a wealth of wildlife, including fur seals, songbirds, waterbirds, deer, wild pigs, and possums.
♦ Guided tours in Abel Tasman Park from the Viator website:
The park has a variety of successful hiking trails; the most popular of all is the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The length of the track is 60 km (one way) and the time to dedicate to it is 3-5 days. This track is considered one of the nine best tracks in the country, the “Great Walks”. Along the track, there are organized camping sites, many of them on the beach.
You don't have to walk the entire route; you can hike just sections, and between them travel by "boat services," go kayaking, or just settle for the first and highly successful part of the trail, which is 12.4 km long (about 4 hours one way).
It starts at the "Mārahau" parking lot at the entrance to the park and ends at the Anchorage Hut and Campsite. The most successful way for a fulfilling day trip in the park for those who are not interested in the long trek or camping is a trip that combines walking in one direction on the first part of the track to a beach named: Observation Beach, and from there a guided kayak tour back to the parking lot where you left your vehicle.
Short video of the scenery on the Abel Tasman Coast Track:
Several companies organize this trip. They provide a detailed map of the trail and the meeting point, organize a picnic lunch on the beach, and the kayak trip, including all equipment, guidance, and of course, a personal guide.
A highly recommended company located near the entrance to the park is:
Abel Tasman Kayaks .
During the kayak trip, you paddle near an island called "Adele" where there is a large seal colony, and continue along hidden beaches to a small harbor near the park entrance. Part of the way back, depending on the wind conditions, is sometimes done with the help of a large sail that carries several kayaks connected together by the hands of the kayakers, so that you get a kind of one boat with a sail. A unique experience that I have not encountered before in my many trips around the world.
The park is open all seasons of the year and is especially busy from December to February.
Short video about the kayak trip including the sail:
The town of Motueka
An excellent starting point for visiting the park is Motueka, a town of about 7,000 residents located a 25-minute drive (20 km) south of the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. The town has accommodation of all types, including hotels, motels, holiday apartments, and B&Bs, a good supermarket, a large visitor center, and a variety of restaurants.
A nice attraction in Motueka itself are the Motueka Saltwater Baths located in the sea on the town's beachfront on Everett Street.
Motueka also serves as a starting point for Kahurangi National Park and Golden Bay.
Accommodation recommendations in Motueka
♦ Avalon Manor Motel
A high-quality 4-star motel in the town center. Various room types. Free internet and parking.
4-star motel. Also suitable for families. Free internet and parking.
4-star motel. Various room types. Free internet and parking.
Recommended restaurants in the town center:
Simply Indian
An authentic Indian restaurant with attractive prices and excellent service. It has a variety of dishes and is located on the main street of the town, High Street.
Open for lunch and dinner.
Lanna Thai Cuisine
A recommended Thai restaurant located next to the Indian restaurant on the town's main street.
The closest large city to Abel Tasman National Park is Nelson, located an hour away (65 km) southeast of the park entrance. Nelson also has the closest airport to the park. More information about Nelson (including accommodation recommendations) in the article:
Trip to the west of the South Island of New Zealand from Greymouth to Nelson.