Getting there
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is accessible by road at four points, each with a carpark:
- Marahau, the southern gateway, is 67km from Nelson on sealed road.
- Wainui is 21km from Takaka. For the last 2km, the road is unsealed.
- Totaranui is 32km from Takaka. For the last 13km, the road is unsealed.
- Awaroa estuary is 31 km from Takaka. The last 12 km of road is rough and unsealed. There are two fords, which flood after heavy rain. From the Awaroa carpark on the northern side of the estuary, it’s 25 minutes of tidal walk to the DOC Awaroa hut and campsite, which are on the southern side of the estuary.
Transport options
Abel Tasman Coast Track locality map
Water taxis operate to a timetable out of Marahau and Kaiteriteri, providing transport to the main beaches of Anchorage, Torrent Bay, Bark Bay, Onetahuti, Awaroa and Totaranui.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is not a circuit track. However, it can be combined with the Abel Tasman Inland Track to form a 5- to 6-day circuit. By road it takes 2 hours 30 minutes to drive between Totaranui or Wainui and Marahau (approx. 100 km). This road is narrow, winding and unsealed in places. By water taxi it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to travel between Totaranui and Marahau.
The track is well serviced by public transport including buses/coaches and water taxis. For details, contact the transport operators directly.
Vehicle parking: DOC provides a carpark at Marahau,Totaranui, Wainui and Awaroa roadends. Cars are parked at owner's/driver's risk. Secure parking can be arranged at various Marahau businesses.
Bus services operate in summer from Nelson and Motueka to major roadends Marahau and Kaiteriteri and connect with Takaka transport to Totaranui and Wainui. Bookings are recommended. In winter, bus services operate daily to Marahau and Kaiteriteri but not so regularly to Wainui and Totaranui.
Water taxis operate year round from Marahau and Kaiteriteri. The scheduled water taxi pickup locations are: Anchorage, Torrent Bay, Bark Bay, Onetahuti, Awaroa and Totaranui.