Abel Tasman National Park
Image: Andrea Schaffer | Creative Commons
Located in the Nelson/Tasman region
At 22,530 hectares Abel Tasman is New Zealand's smallest national park. It is located at the top of the South Island; the nearest towns are Motueka, Takaka and Kaiteriteri.
Roads lead to Marahau and Totaranui at either end of the coastal track (1.5 and 2.5 hours from Nelson) and provide access to the inland track system.
There are regular and on-demand bus services to the park from local towns and from Nelson as well as a launch and water taxi services.
If you are going to be using the track system in the park for overnight trips, make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared.
Everyone needs to carry a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, sufficient high-energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof raincoat, and warm (wool or fleece) clothing. A portable stove will also be needed. Firm footwear is recommended but boots are not necessary. Giardia has been found in park waters. Boiling, chemical treatment or filtering can remove it. Check for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions before starting your trip.
Camping: The use of hammocks, including "tree hugger" hammocks, is not permitted in campsites on the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Not all campsites have convenient trees to use as the campsites have been designed for placing tents, not hammocks.
The three largest islands in the park, Tonga, Adele and Fisherman, are home to many native plants and animal species which are either low in number or are no longer found on the nearby mainland.
Adele and Fisherman islands can be accessed by boat or kayak but do not have toilets and camping is not permitted. The nearest toilets are at Appletree Bay. Tonga and Pinnacle islands are specially protected areas with public access by permit only, to protect the seal breeding colonies.
The islands have no non-native mammalian predators – help keep them that way so they remain safe for native wildlife and plants living there.
If planning to visit Adele and Fisherman islands, before you go:
Weather for Abel Tasman National Park - Nelson rural forecast
This visitor app has the lastest information on weather, tides, maps, points of interest, history, plants, wildlife, ecological restoration and walking times in the park. It will work offline in the park and will update itself when in coverage or within range of a hotspot.
Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play.
Wi-fi hotspots to download the app are at:
The app and private wi-fi network are provided by Project Janszoon.
Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre | |
Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa 79 Trafalgar Street Nelson 7010 |
Postal Address: |
Private Bag 5 Nelson 7042 |
Full office details |
Motueka i-SITE Visitor Information Centre | |
Phone: | +64 3 528 6543 |
Email: | info@motuekaisite.co.nz |
Address: |
20 Wallace Street Motueka 7120 |
Postal Address: | |
Full office details |