National park · New Zealand
Abel Tasman National Park
Entry is free — you pay only for transport, huts ($32/night) and campsites ($14/night). Walk the Coast Track south-to-north over 3–5 days, or day-trip Marahau to Anchorage and back; go Nov–Apr, and start before 9:00 to beat the boat crowds.Entry is free — you pay only for transport, huts ($32/night) and campsites ($14/night). Walk the Coast Track south-to-north over 3–5 days, or day-trip Marahau to Anchorage and back; go Nov–Apr, and start before 9:00 AM to beat the boat crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
225 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (225 km²)
approximate
Established
1942
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 225 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (225 km²)
- About 22,500 ha; New Zealand's smallest national park (check).
- Established
- 1942
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Abel Tasman is New Zealand's smallest national park and the only one with no entrance fee at all: you pay for the water taxi, the hut bunk or the campsite, not for the gate. The park is a 51 km strip of golden sand, beech forest and tidal estuary on the northern tip of the South Island, between Tasman Bay and Golden Bay, closed to vehicles and reached on foot from four road ends (Marahau, Wainui, Totaranui, Awaroa) or by boat from Marahau and Kaiteriteri. The Coast Track is one of DOC's Great Walks and the busiest; the Inland Track over the same hills is the quiet alternative at a fraction of the hut price. Two estuary crossings — Torrent Bay and Awaroa — depend on low tide, which is the single thing that most often ruins a plan. Summer (Dec–Feb) is peak and needs bookings months ahead, including a ballot for the Totaranui campground from 1 December to 10 February; February, March and November give the same warm sea with fewer people.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1942.
Size and age
225 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (225 km²) · national park since 1942
About 22,500 ha; New Zealand's smallest national park (check).
Why go
- Golden-sand beaches backed by beech forest — the sand is the reason most people come.
- The 51 km (32 mi) Coast Track is one of DOC's Great Walks, and the only one you can do without a booking in winter.The 32 mi (51 km) Coast Track is one of DOC's Great Walks, and the only one you can do without a booking in winter.
- Water taxis let you walk one section and skip the rest, so a single day still gets you the best beach.
- Seals at Tonga Island Marine Reserve, and a bird chorus that DOC and Project Janszoon have spent years restoring.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanPeak summer; book huts and campsites months ahead
- FebWarm sea, settled weather; still busy
- MarWarm, quieter, water taxis still running
- AprMild days, cool nights; fewer boats
- MayQuiet; some water taxi timetables thin out
- JunWet, short days; reduced boat services
- JulColdest month; rivers up after rain
- AugCold and wet; check for track closures
- SepSpring; mud on the inland sections
- OctClearing weather, fewer people than summer
- NovWarm and dry; boats back on full timetables
- DecLong days; holiday crowds from mid-month
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand fur seals (Tonga Island colony)All year · Keep 20 m away; do not swim with them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tui, bellbird and wood pigeonAll year · Loudest at dawn; the birdsong restoration is the point of the Project Janszoon work. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Weka and pukekoAll year · Weka will take food from an open pack — keep it zipped. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Little blue penguinAug–Feb · Only in the more isolated bays; do not approach nests. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| SandfliesNov–Mar · Worst near the estuaries and in still, damp air; repellent is essential. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Nelson
Sealed road to the Marahau car park, the southern entrance.
1 h 10 min
From Motueka
Road to Marahau, then walk in; water taxis also leave from Kaiteriteri.
25 min
From Takaka
Road to Wainui (21 km (13 mi)) or Totaranui (32 km (20 mi)); the last stretch is unsealed.Road to Wainui (13 mi (21 km)) or Totaranui (20 mi (32 km)); the last stretch is unsealed.
35–50 min
From Awaroa
Road from Takaka with two fords that flood; the only car access at the north end.
50 min
From Nelson Bays region
Where to base, and how the bay towns connect.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Marahau and Anchorage | Southern entrance, car park, first beaches and the Anchorage hut and campsite. | Open on foot; no vehicles inside the park. |
| Torrent Bay and Bark Bay | Tidal estuary, Cleopatra's Pool turn-off, Falls River footbridge and the busiest hut stretch. | Open on foot; the estuary crossing is low tide only. |
| Tonga Island Marine Reserve | Seal colony and the clearest water in the park. | No fishing or taking anything; boats keep 20 m from seals. |
| Awaroa and Totaranui | Northern beaches, the lodge, the big campground and the road end. | Open; some land at Awaroa and Torrent Bay is private. |
| Inland Track | Hilly forest interior with four small huts. | Open on foot; no coastal views. |
Sketch map
- 1Marahau car park (south entrance) · Gate≈-40.997, 173.007Map ↗
- 2Anchorage Hut · Sleep≈-40.953, 173.049Map ↗
- 3Cleopatra's Pool · Trail≈-40.945, 173.038Map ↗
- 4Bark Bay Hut · Sleep≈-40.925, 173.043Map ↗
- 5Tonga Island Marine Reserve · Dive site≈-40.887, 173.062Map ↗
- 6Awaroa Lodge · Sleep≈-40.861, 173.037Map ↗
- 7Totaranui Campground · Sleep≈-40.828, 173.006Map ↗
- 8Wainui car park (north entrance) · Gate≈-40.821, 172.945Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the coast from Marahau to Wainui, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entrance fee; the park is free to enter on foot. |
| Coast Track hut | NZD 32 (≈ US$19) | person per night | Under 18s free but still need a booking; backcountry hut tickets are not valid here. |
| Coast Track campsite | NZD 14 (≈ US$9) | person per night | Under 18s free; booking required year round. |
| Inland Track hut | NZD 5 (≈ US$3) | person per night | Serviced huts on the inland route (check). |
| Water taxi, Marahau or Kaiteriteri to the beaches | NZD 25–50 (≈ US$15–30) | person one way | 2026 estimate; fares rise with distance up the coast. |
| Guided kayak day trip | NZD 80–195 (≈ US$50–120) | person | 2026 estimate; half-day to full-day guided trips. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Coast Track hut or campsite booking permit or guide
Totaranui main campground (1 Dec – 10 Feb) permit or guide
Hunting permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NZ$32≈ US$19
- NZ$14≈ US$9
- NZ$5≈ US$3
- NZ$25–50≈ US$15–30
- NZ$80–195≈ US$50–120
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Department of Conservation — Abel Tasman National Park before you go.
Park rules
- No vehicles
- The park is closed to vehicles; you enter on foot, by boat, or by air to Awaroa only.
- Private land
- Parts of Awaroa Bay and Torrent Bay are privately owned. Stay on the marked track and do not cross gardens or yards.
- Tonga Island Marine Reserve
- No fishing, no taking of shellfish or anything else, and no landing on the island.
- Seals
- Do not approach closer than 20 m, by boat, kayak or on foot.
- No horse riding
- Not permitted anywhere in the park.
- Mountain biking
- Allowed only on part of the Moa Park Track year round, and on the Gibbs Hill Track between 1 May and 1 Oct.
- Hunting
- Permit only, in two blocks, closed from the third Monday in December to 6 February.
- Fires and rubbish
- Use the fireplaces provided at campsites only; carry all rubbish out — there are no bins.
- Traps
- Do not touch or disturb pest traps you pass on the tracks.
Where to stay
In the park
DOC Coast Track huts (Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa, Whariwharangi)
Bunks with mattresses, heating, flush toilets and cold washbasins; no cooking facilities or lighting. Two nights maximum per hut.
In the park
DOC campsites along the coast
Water supply and toilets; some have cooking shelters. Two consecutive nights maximum at any one site.
In the park
Totaranui Campground
850 sites with potable water, flush toilets, cold showers and fireplaces; no electricity. Ballot for 1 Dec – 10 Feb.
In the park
Awaroa Lodge
The only lodge inside the park, on private land at Awaroa Bay; suites, deluxe and family rooms, and a cafe open to non-guests.
Near the park
Marahau and Kaiteriteri
The main bases outside the park: hostels, motels, campsites and the water taxi departure points.
Near the park
Motueka and Nelson
Bigger towns with supermarkets and rental cars, 25 min and 1 h 10 min from Marahau.
Safety
Tidal estuary crossings at Torrent Bay and Awaroa high
Weather changes and river crossings medium
Sandflies and strong sun medium
Patchy phone coverage low
Water low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Marahau and Kaiteriteri are the accessible ends: water taxis run to several beaches, and Totaranui has road access and a campground with facilities.
- The Coast Track itself is rough, sandy and tidal; it is not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility beyond short beach sections.
- Awaroa is the only place in the park reachable by light aircraft or helicopter.
Visiting lightly
- Book huts and campsites rather than camping informally; the coast is a fragile strip and the booking system caps numbers.
- Carry out everything you bring in — there are no bins anywhere in the park.
- Keep 20 m from seals and never land on Tonga Island; the marine reserve works because visitors leave it alone.
- Leave the pest traps alone; they are part of the bird recovery programme.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Abel Tasman National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate — the park is free to enter on foot. You pay for the things around the walk: a Coast Track hut is $32 per person per night, a DOC campsite $14 per person per night (under 18s free, booking still required), and a water taxi $25–50 one way. Inland Track huts are about $5 per night.
What are the best hikes in Abel Tasman National Park?
The 51 km Coast Track is the main one, usually walked over 3–5 days between Marahau and Wainui. If you have one day, walk Marahau to Anchorage (3–4 h) and take a water taxi back. Shorter add-ons are the 1 h detour to Cleopatra's Pool from Torrent Bay or Anchorage, and Cascade Falls, about 1.5 h from Torrent Bay. The Inland Track is the quiet alternative through the forest.
When is the best time to visit Abel Tasman National Park?
November to April. February and March give warm sea and settled weather with fewer people than January. December and January are the busiest — huts and the Totaranui campground need booking well ahead, and Totaranui runs a ballot for 1 December to 10 February. Winter is wet, cold and quiet, with reduced water taxi services.
Do I need to book the Coast Track in advance?
Yes, year round. Book huts or campsites with DOC before you travel; summer beds sell out. Backcountry hut tickets and passes are not valid on the Coast Track. Camping is limited to two consecutive nights at any one campsite, and two nights maximum per hut.
Can I drive into the park?
No. The park is closed to vehicles. You park at Marahau, Wainui, Totaranui or Awaroa and walk in, or arrive by water taxi from Marahau or Kaiteriteri. Awaroa is the only place reachable by light aircraft or helicopter.
How do the tides affect the walk?
Two crossings depend on low tide: the Torrent Bay estuary and Awaroa. At low tide you can walk Torrent Bay to Anchorage across the sand in about 25 minutes; the track around the estuary takes closer to 2 hours. Carry a tide table and plan the day around it.
Is there food or water in the park?
There is nothing to buy inside the park except the cafe at Awaroa Lodge, which is open to non-guests and is not cheap. Carry all your food in and all your rubbish out. Huts usually have potable water; treat stream water if you use it.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go