Located in Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region
Campsites: Good availability | Huts: Good availability from April
60 km one way
Day 1: Marahau to Anchorage Image: | DOC
Camping on the beach Image: photonewzealand.com ©
Day 2: Anchorage to Bark Bay Image: | DOC
Cleopatras Pool Image: Nick Thompson ©
Day 3: Bark Bay to Awaroa Image: | DOC
Day 4: Awaroa to Whariwharangi Bay Image: | DOC
Seal Image: Karin Noresten ©
Day 5: Whariwharangi Bay to Wainui Bay or Tōtaranui Image: | DOC
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It is well marked and signposted, but some sections may be steep and rough and the track could be muddy.
There is one compulsory tidal crossing - consult a tide timetable before booking your trip.
Walk the whole track in either direction, take a water taxi or kayak between different locations.
There are 4 huts and 18 campsites along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which must be booked in advance all year round. Visitors arriving without a valid booking, or staying at a hut or campsite other than the one named on their ticket, will be charged a penalty fee or may be asked to leave the park.
Note, campsites are designed for tents and are not suitable for hammocks. Campers are not permitted to use hut facilities.
Time: 4 hr
Distance: 12.4 km
You’ll begin your journey as you cross the estuary over the Marahau causeway, and follow the track, first through open country, then lush beech forest with large kānuka trees. The track eventually turns inland, winding in and out of several little gullies before emerging to a view of the beautiful Anchorage Bay. Here you’ll descend to Anchorage Hut and Campsite.
Time: 20 min return
Home to a bizarre tree growing in an unusual place.
High tide track
Time: 4 hr
Distance: 11.5 km
Low tide crossing, Torrent Bay estuary
Time: 3 hr
Distance: 8.4 km
Torrent Bay estuary can be crossed within 2 hours either side of low tide, or you can take the all-tide track around it. An impressive 47-metre long suspension bridge takes you over Falls River. You’ll then meander through lush coastal forest before being led back to the sea and the idyllic golden sands of Bark Bay.
Time: 1 hr 30 min return
A beautiful waterfall hidden in native bush that’s a great spot to cool off. The track isquite steep in parts but it’s worth the hike!
This beautiful rock pool with clear coolwater is a nice swimming hole.
Time: 4 hr 30 min
Distance: 13.5 km
Cross the beautiful Bark Bay estuary 2 hours either side of low tide or follow the all-tide track (10 minutes) around the edge of the estuary. A steep climb takes you through stands of mānuka. Return to the coast at Tonga Quarry and it’s a short walk from there to Onetahuti Bay, where one of the longest beaches in the Abel Tasman stretches before you.
The track then leads over the forested Tonga Saddle. At the junction just beyond the saddle, either stay on the main track around and down to Venture Creek, following the path up the hill to a lookout point over Awaroa Bay, before dropping down to walk to Awaroa Campsite and hut. Alternatively, if you need to catch a water taxi, turn right at the junction and take the non-DOC track down to the beach. At low tide, it is possible to follow the beach below the high tide mark around the inlet and wade across to Awaroa Hut and Campsite.
Take care to stay below the high tide mark away from nesting birds.
Time: 2 hr 20 min
Distance: 7.1 km (tidal)
Time: 3 hr 15 min
Distance: 9.8 km
Awaroa Inlet can only be crossed within 1 hour 30 minutes before and 2 hours after low tide. Along the track, the scenery alternates between sandy beaches and rocky headlands of regenerating kānuka. Camp or stay in the cosy and historic Whariwharangi Hut (a former homestead built around 1896) just behind the beach.
Time: 2 hr
Distance: 5.7 km
Follow a trickling stream and climb above the bay to a saddle overlooking the serene Wainui Inlet. The inlet is a great place to swim or to explore rock pools. The track winds down to the shore and follows the estuary edge to the car park.
Time: 3 hr
Distance: 9 km
From Whariwharangi Hut follow a small stream, then climb out of the bay to a low saddle overlooking Wainui Inlet. At this point take a left turn onto the Gibbs Hill Track. This track will take you over the steep Gibbs Hill then back down to Tōtaranui.
From Tōtaranui you can get a water taxi back to Mārahau, ensure you allow enough time to walk to Totaranui. Refer to your water taxi provider for their pick up/drop off locations and timetable.
Note this is a shared-use track. Mountain biking Wainui – Gibbs Hill – Tōtaranui is allowed from 1 May to 1 October at any time of the day. There is a maximum group size of eight riders.
Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts and campsites on the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There are no fees to complete a day walk on the track or for entry into the Abel Tasman National Park.
Pay your fees by booking the huts and/or campsites before you start the track.
1 October - 30 April:
New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*:
International visitors:
1 May - 30 September:
All visitors:
"Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those:
Proof of eligibility will be required for the New Zealand rate. Acceptable eligibility proof.
1 October - 30 April:
New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*:
International visitors:
1 May - 30 September:
For all visitors:
"Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those:
Proof of eligibility will be required for the New Zealand rate. Acceptable eligibility proof.
A 10% discount is available to members, staff and instructors of the following organisations, who also hold a valid 12 month Backcountry Hut Pass:
Discounts are not available online. To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so visit a DOC visitor centre in person. If you get a discount you won't be charged a booking fee.
Huts and campsites must be booked in advance year round. Visitors arriving without a valid booking, or staying at a hut or campsite other than the one named on their ticket, will be charged a penalty fee or may be asked to leave the park.
Book the Abel Tasman Coast Track online
Before you start walking the Abel Tasman Coast Track, you need to book:
Campsites: Good availability | Huts: Good availability from April
Read the booking terms and conditions (scroll to the bottom to find the Terms and Conditions link) for general information, age ranges, prices, discounts, penalty rates and the alterations and cancellations policy. Bookings not meeting the terms and conditions will be treated as invalid and cancelled.
Guided groups: To operate a commercial activity in an area managed by DOC, you need to apply for a concession (an official permit), in addition to any bookings you would need to make. Read more about concessions
To make multiple bookings for facilities/services on behalf of customers, you must obtain permission or an agent agreement from DOC. To do this, email: agents@doc.govt.nz
The Abel Tasman Coast Track has four main entrances:
It is also possible to access Awaroa estuary on a road that is 31 km from Takaka. The last 12 km of road is rough, unsealed and prone to flooding. It is not recommended as an entrance to the Park.
Abel Tasman Coast Track locality map
Most visitors only walk in one direction on the Coast Track and get a water taxi in the other direction.
There are commercial water taxis that operate between Marahau/Kaiteriteri and Totaranui. Water taxis are not permitted to go above Totaranui, so there is no service to Wainui or any of the Northern bays. Visitors travelling beyond Totaranui use the Gibbs Hill Track to make a loop in the Northern end of the Park.
You can make a 5–7 day circuit using the Abel Tasman Inland Track. However, the Inland Track is very steep, rough underfoot and does not have many viewpoints.
Water taxis operate year round and must be booked in advance. The scheduled water taxi pickup locations are Apple Tree Bay, Anchorage, Medlands Bay, Bark Bay, Tonga Quarry, Onetahuti, Awaroa and Totaranui.
Many of the water taxi and kayak companies have shuttle buses for their clients.
DOC provides a carpark at Marahau, Totaranui and Wainui roadends. Cars are parked at your own risk.
There is strictly no freedom camping.
Water taxi and kayak operators have their own private car parking for clients.
Your safety is your responsibility. To have a great time in the outdoors, know before you go the five simple rules of the Outdoor Safety Code to help you stay safe:
Be sure to consult a tide timetable when planning your trip as the Awaroa estuary area on the track is only passable at low tide.
Check with visitor centres for any track updates and important notices, which report closures or maintenance on huts, campsites, roads and tracks - also listed on Nelson/Tasman alerts.
The Coast Track is open all year. Transport, activity, equipment and accommodation operators are available year round.
All huts and campsites must be booked all year round. See booking information for details.
Chart showing walker numbers peaking between December and March
The chart (at the right) shows the number of walkers on the track between Torrent Bay and Bark Bay. Numbers peak in January with over 250 per day and drop in August to less than 25.
In peak season (October to April), DOC hut wardens and staff are based at the huts and Tōtaranui Camp Office.
In winter, wardens rotate among the huts.
The advantages of visiting the Abel Tasman Coast in the winter include fewer visitors, calmer water, less water traffic such as water-skiers, and hardly any insects.
The main disadvantages are the shorter daylight hours and cooler temperatures.
In case of any accident or injury that requires emergency evacuation, contact Police Search and Rescue via Department of Conservation staff or boat transport staff radios.
In the unusual situation of the track being closed (e.g. in case of extreme fire risk), signs will be erected at track entrances and information will be at i-SITES, DOC information centres and on the DOC website. Check the Track Update before you start the track. If the track is closed, a full refund will be given.
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Fill in the visitors book if you are staying in a hut.
The climate is mild with sea breezes, summer droughts and some winter frosts. Rainfall averages 1800mm and the sun shines around 2200 hours per year. During late spring and throughout summer the coast is subject to strong westerly winds, while the autumn and winter months are generally calm.
Max temp ˚C | Min temp ˚C | Rainy days | |
---|---|---|---|
July | 13 | 4 | 11 |
August | 13 | 5 | 10 |
September | 15 | 7 | 12 |
October | 17 | 8 | 9 |
November | 19 | 10 | 10 |
December | 21 | 12 | 10 |
January | 23 | 12 | 6 |
February | 22 | 13 | 7 |
March | 21 | 12 | 9 |
April | 18 | 10 | 8 |
May | 16 | 7 | 10 |
June | 14 | 6 | 10 |
The Abel Tasman Coast Track can be walked all year but in winter temperatures are cooler. All huts have heating. Campsites that get good afternoon sun are Anchorage, Bark Bay, Mosquito Bay, Awaroa and Tōtaranui.
Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience.
For a full list check 'What to take'
The use of hammocks, including "tree hugger" hammocks, is not permitted in campsites on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Tide timetables are for your safety.
Note: There are some low tide crossings along the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Huts on the Abel Tasman Coast Track don't have gas cooking facilities and lighting. Remember to take a portable stove and fuel, and candles with you.
Note: It's not possible to dry clothes in the huts. Cotton clothing such as jeans, T-shirts and sweatshirts aren't suitable.
You can't buy food on the track.
Bring food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value. For example:
You'll also need water, snacks, biscuits, muesli bars, tea or coffee, powdered fruit drinks and emergency food in case of any delays on the track.
For people who haven’t kayaked before, a guided trip is recommended. If you're renting a kayak or going on a guided trip, discuss your kayak trip with your chosen kayak operator before booking huts or campsites.
For independent kayak rentals, a minimum of two people and previous sea-kayaking experience are essential.
Kayaking is more weather dependent than walking along the Coast Track.
Book campsites that are within your kayaking ability and plan for the worst weather – head winds and rough seas. Then, if the weather makes kayaking slow you will still get to your campsite. If the weather is fine and there is a tail wind, you can always kayak to your campsite, set up your tent and then go exploring with your kayak without your overnight gear.
Assess your fitness, the wind strength and direction and sea swell before proceeding each day. If the weather is too rough to safely kayak to your intended destination (the campsite you have booked), stop and wait for a few hours for sea conditions to improve.
Only camp at a campsite other than the one you have booked for safety reasons.
Never risk your life by kayaking in dangerous seas.
Rough paddling times for experienced kayakers in calm conditions without stops are:
Kayaking is not recommended north of Onetahuti Bay due to the remote and exposed coastline.
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 |