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Travelogue New Zealand

Nov 13
Mon

Abel Tasman Coast Track

Today we walk the first part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track and it's stunning. As our campsite is very close to the start of the track we start walking directly from there at 10.30 am. From the public phone at the carpark in Marahau – where's also the Park Cafe and the start of the track – we call Abel Tasman Marahau Water Taxis – 0800 80 80 18 – and book a water taxi for 4.00 pm. We want to walk to Anchorage and to get picked up there. They ask for the credit card number, the one way fare from Anchorage to Marahau is $24 p.p.

Abel Tasman Coast Track Tinline Bay · more Abel Tasman NP pictures

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of the New Zealand Great Walks and extends 51 km from Marahau to Wainui Bay. The track leads at different heights along the coastline and has sidewalks to the bays and the inner park areas. If you walk the whole track you can spend the nights in DOC huts or at campsites (booking demanded). Another option – our choice – is to walk parts of the track. The Abel Tasman Coast Track is no circuit track but water taxis drop you off and pick you up at any arranged location. Or you can kayak along the coast.

Abel Tasman Coast Track Tinline Bay · more Abel Tasman NP pictures

It's 11,5 km from Marahau to Anchorage, estimated with 4 hours. That's about right if you walk briskly. Although there's some time left to spend at the dreamlike bays. The DOC leaflets turn out as a reliable hiking companion. They're thin but contain all information you need to be well prepared.

Although it's no swimming weather, it's fine for hiking: sunshine and a light breeze, a few clouds. The chosen part is gorgeous. Most of the time we walk through lush vegetation and bush along the coastline and we get a slight jungle feeling with all the ponga, tree ferns and palms surrounding us. The trunks of the kanuka trees are black and covered with honeydew, so we smell the scent of honey on long sections of the walk :-) From up here we see all the golden bays with their light blue, tending to turquoise waters and I'd like best to go down to each of them. We have rather short stays at Tinline Bay and Appletree Bay (with the beautiful trees which look so surreal at this place), then we really take our time at Stilwell Bay. Fine powdry sand pleases our feet, the eye dwells on a lush green islet.

Stilwell Bay · more Abel Tasman NP pictures

Arrived at Anchorage there's some time left. We take a look at Anchorage Hut. Certainly quite a good place to spend the night! There are even some mattresses in the hut. Many hikers take a break there and we can anticipate what will be going on here in summer. We walk down to the beach and wait for the water taxi. Quite suddenly it's getting stormy and the temperature drops a few degrees. A group of kayakers heads for the beach quickly. Then our boat arrives. 10 people go in, 3 kayaks are stowed on the back. Water taxis are awesome! It's pure fun to race along the coastline and to see where you've been walking just before. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

In the evening we are pleasantly worn out. After taking a shower we go for dinner at the Park Café. Since we've discovered this place we aren't keen on cooking anymore. It's so nice here and the food is really delicious. The menu is varying and the prices are fair. Today we need something hearty. The braised beef is as tasty as expected.

On our way back we admire the beautiful evening light and hear the bellbird singing.

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Travelogue New Zealand

Abel Tasman Coast Track