Things to do in Abel Tasman National Park

Walk the Abel Tasman Coast Track

One of New Zealand’s most popular great walks is the 60km Abel Tasman Coast Track, starting from Mārahau. This journey takes you through lush native forests and golden sandy beaches, where ongoing restoration efforts have revived birdsong. Ideal year-round, the walk is best enjoyed on a multi-day adventure, with overnight stays at beachfront lodges, campsites, or DOC huts. There are plenty of half and full-day walk/kayak or walk/cruise options for shorter visits. A top tip is to detour to Cleopatra's Pools for a refreshing slide into pristine rock pools.

Hop on board a cruise or sail boat

Discover the secluded hideaways and golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park. Watch playful seal pups at Tonga Island Marine Reserve and hear stories of the park’s landmarks while relaxing on a comfortable sailing catamaran or scenic cruise. Lay on the catamaran’s bow, listening to waves and feeling the gentle rock of the boat, or ride the top deck for stunning coastal views and wildlife spotting.

Kayak around crystal clear bays

All year round, you’ll find people out on kayaks in the crystal-clear waters of Tasman Bay, exploring the hidden coves and arches nestled amongst the sweeping coastline. A lot of this idyllic scenery cannot be seen from land, and there is an endless array of discoveries to be made. Take it at your own pace with a freedom rental, stopping off to picnic on a golden sandy beach, or join in on one of the guided trips to learn more about the unique history of this extraordinary coastal paradise.

Take a scenic flight

Witness the picturesque beauty of the Abel Tasman National Park from a different perspective with a scenic flight. Marvel at the stunning views of the parks' sweeping coastline, golden sandy beaches, lush native bush, and pristine clear waters of the many inlets and lagoons as you experience it all from above.

Visit the iconic Split Apple Rock

Nestled between Kaiteriteri and Mārahau, the gateway towns to the Abel Tasman National Park, is a hidden landmark that easily rivals the world’s natural wonders. How exactly Toka Ngawhā (Split Apple Rock) was formed is unknown and regularly debated. Scientists believe that the rock was split due to a natural occurrence called ice wedging, when water entered cracks in the rock and froze, causing it to expand and separate. On the other hand, Māori legend has it that the boulder was split in half when the God of the Ocean fought with the God of the Land over who would have possession of the rock, given that it was both sitting in the ocean and on firm ground. Other iconic landmarks in the Abel Tasman National Park include the Tonga Arches, the rock stacks at Anapai Bay, and Elephant Rock at Anchorage, all of which can be viewed during a walk of the coast track, a scenic cruise or a kayaking trip.

Leave your comfort zone and go canyoning

An adventure with Abel Tasman Canyons will have you testing the limits of your comfort zone as you abseil down gorgeous granite canyons, zip through unspoiled rainforest and slide into some of the purest water and natural rockpools one can find. The friendly guides will show you a few hours of uninhibited fun in this extraordinary place, and you’ll be guaranteed to leave with a massive smile on your face and a whole new appreciation for the stunning natural landscapes surrounding us here in Nelson Tasman.

Stay overnight in the national park

Trust us when we say that you don’t know the true meaning of the words ‘peace’, ‘serenity’, and ‘tranquillity’ until you have spent a night in the extraordinary Abel Tasman National Park, where the sound of the waves will soothe you to sleep and the sound of birdsong alerts you to the dawn of a new day. Pitch your tent at one of the designated campsites along the track, stay at a hut, or charter a boat where you can 'rise and shine' as the sun emerges above the horizon, darting its rays onto the glistening waters surrounding you. Or, if a dose of luxury is what you need, enjoy modern comforts in the depths of the national park with an overnight stay in one of the beachfront lodges, where you will be treated to delicious home-cooked meals and authentic Kiwi hospitality.

Paddle a waka along the coastline

Share in New Zealand’s treasured heritage by paddling in a double or single-hulled waka (Māori canoe) along the length of the stunning Abel Tasman coastline with Waka Abel Tasman, weaving around islands and iconic landforms until you reach Toka Ngawhā (Split Apple Rock). The manaakitanga of your guides will surely provide you with a unique cultural experience unlike any you’ve ever been a part of before as your paddle glides through the crystal-clear waters below.

Explore the national park's gateways

Kaiteriteri, Mārahau and Motueka are the gateways to the Abel Tasman National Park, but they are all popular destinations in their own right, equally beautiful and equally intriguing. Start your adventure in Motueka by exploring the weekend artisan markets, jumping out of a plane, or dining at the famed TOAD Hall. Finish your evening in Mārahau with a delicious meal in the waterfront beer garden at Hooked. Or, if the golden paradise of Kaiteriteri is more your thing, why not spend the morning swimming or kayaking in the crystal-clear lagoon or taking a short stroll up to one of the picturesque viewing platforms nestled in the surrounding bush?

Top tip: If you’re looking for a bit of pampering, head to Kimi Ora Eco Resort for a rejuvenating massage or facial.