Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand's smallest national park, on the north coast of the South Island, is known for its 60 km Coast Track, beaches and kayaking.
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Abel Tasman National Park lies at the north end of New Zealand's South Island, between Golden Bay / Mohua and Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere. At about 237 square km, it is the country's smallest national park, yet one of its most visited. Most visitors come for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, a route of about 60 km along the eastern and northern coast. Coastal forest, sand dunes and sub-alpine bogs give the park varied habitats, and kayaking, camping and sightseeing are other popular activities.
The area has been used by Māori for about 700 years. Ngāti Tūmatakōkiri were living in Golden Bay / Mohua when Abel Tasman reached it in 1642, and the park opened on 18 December 1942 to mark the 300th anniversary of that visit. Most people reach the park through the small settlement of Mārahau or by water taxi from Kaiteriteri. The nearest large town is Motueka, about 20 km to the south. Dogs are not allowed in the park, except guide dogs.
Abel Tasman National Park in five
- Book every hut and campsite in advanceThe Coast Track has 4 huts and 18 campsites, and all must be booked ahead, all year. Arriving without a valid booking can mean a penalty fee or being asked to leave the park.DOC Coast Track page
- Plan around the tidal crossingsAwaroa Inlet can be crossed only in daylight, from 1.5 hours before to 2 hours after low tide. Torrent Bay and Bark Bay estuaries have all-tide tracks if your timing slips.
- Use a water taxi for one directionMost visitors walk one way and ride a water taxi the other. Taxis run all year, must be booked in advance and do not go beyond Tōtaranui, so the northern bays are walk-in only.
- Start at Marahau for the classic routeMarahau is the southern entrance, 67 km from Nelson on sealed road. Kaiteriteri, 61 km from Nelson, is a water taxi and kayak launch, not a good place to start on foot.Marlborough and Nelson
- Carry water treatment and overnight kitDOC says overnight walkers need a sleeping bag, stove, food, rain jacket and warm layers, and that Giardia has been found in park waters. Boil, filter or treat drinking water.
Things to do in Abel Tasman National Park
See all attractions in Abel Tasman National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- No park entry fee; huts and campsites are the only fees
- Permits
- Hut and campsite booking needed all year Read more
- Season
- Open all year; 2026/27 bookings are open
- Nearest town
- Motueka, Takaka and Kaiteriteri; Nelson 1.5–2.5 hr
- Getting there
- Road to Marahau or Tōtaranui; water taxis from Marahau
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWarm, busy
- FebruaryWarm, settled
- MarchMild, settled
- AprilCooler days
- MayQuiet, cool
- JuneCold mornings
- JulyColdest, quiet
- AugustCold, quiet
- SeptemberSpring, changeable
- OctoberWarming up
- NovemberLong days
- DecemberWarm, busy
Right now in Abel Tasman National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 95%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 60%
Abel Tasman National Park
09:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today20°12°60%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Wed18°13°99%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Thu19°13°76%Thursday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Fri22°15°98%Friday: Rain. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat22°13°65%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sun21°9°33%Sunday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Mon17°9°69%Monday: Rain. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 69%.
Updated 06:23 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Abel Tasman National Park
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Rules for Abel Tasman National Park, checked
- International adults pay NZ$84 a night in Coast Track huts from 1 Oct to 30 Apr, falling to NZ$33 in July and August. Park entry and day walks are free.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Coast Track campsites: NZ$31 per international adult a night from 1 Oct to 30 Apr, NZ$21 from 1 May to 30 Sep. Tōtaranui can be booked for one night only.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Dogs are not allowed in the park, on Tonga, Adele and Fisherman islands or on most of the foreshore. Guide dogs are permitted.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Abel Tasman National Park
Wine, sounds and the Nelson base
Read the guideSouth IslandWhere Abel Tasman fits on a loop
Read the guideQueenstown and WānakaAlpine Great Walks instead of coast
Read the guideChristchurchThe main South Island arrival city
Read the guideBest time to visit New ZealandSeason by season for both islands
Read the guideAll of New ZealandBoth islands, entry rules and money
Read the guideAbel Tasman National Park FAQ
Do you need to book the Abel Tasman Coast Track?
Only to sleep on it. DOC charges nothing for day walks or park entry, but every hut and campsite night must be booked in advance, all year. Check the booking page before you fix dates.
How long is the Abel Tasman Coast Track?
It is 60 km one way and DOC lists 3 to 5 days. Many visitors shorten it by taking a water taxi for one leg, since taxis pick up at Anchorage, Bark Bay, Onetahuti, Awaroa and Tōtaranui.
Can you do Abel Tasman as a day trip?
Yes. Marahau to Anchorage is about 4 hours and 12.4 km on foot. A common plan is to walk one way and take a pre-booked water taxi back, since most visitors use the track in one direction only.
Are dogs allowed in Abel Tasman National Park?
No. Dogs are banned in the park, on the three largest islands and on most of the foreshore, with limited exemptions beside private land. Guide dogs are permitted everywhere.
When can you cross Awaroa Inlet?
Only in daylight, from 1 hour 30 minutes before to 2 hours after low tide. Check the tide timetable before you choose a hut or campsite, because a missed window can cost half a day.