The Abel Tasman Track is one of the most well-formed hiking tracks we have walked on in Aotearoa to date! We couldn’t believe how wide, and well maintained, this track is. It is a very popular hike and for this reason we recommend going in shoulder seasons, so the track and beaches it leads you too are less crowded with people.
The Section we chose to do starts at Bark Bay and ends back at the very start of the track in Marahau. You’ll see the most spectacular ocean views from the cliffs of the track. You have multiple swimming spots in both fresh and salt water plus the sound of birds providing a backing track to your day as you hike through coastal New Zealand bush.
A relatively easy hike with big rewards for not a lot of effort. The real challenge is dragging yourself away from the beautiful beach at one cove so you can see the stunning beach at the next cove. It’s up there with our top day hikes in Aotearoa, so don’t miss out on this one.
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Details
Starting Point: Bark Bay
Distance: 25.5km
Duration: 8 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
When: March
Local Iwi: Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rārua and Te Ātiawa
Additional Information: Water taxis are available from Marahau and Kaiteriteri. However, if you choose to catch a water taxi from Kaiteriteri, you will need to catch it back. This means you are on a time crunch to get to Apple Tree Bay (the pickup point) in time to catch the last water taxi.
For this alone, we recommend getting the water taxi from Marahau and walking back to Marahau as we did. The less time crunch you have, the less rushed you’ll feel, and the more time you can spend swimming at the various beaches and watering holes. Which, let’s be honest, is a big reason for doing this hike.
Trail Map
Getting to the Starting Point of Abel Tasman Track
You’ll want to catch the first water taxi out of Marahau to make the most of the daylight. This hike has so many good beaches and swimming holes to stop at along the way, so give yourself plenty of time to do this. We had two good long swims on this hike, which we wouldn’t have been able to do if we’d caught a later water taxi, or if we had to catch a water taxi back out of the national park. That’s why we think it’s better to walk all the way into Marahau rather than getting picked up by water taxi from one of the last beaches in the park.
We used the Abel Tasman Aqua Taxi company from Marahau. Park your vehicle (if you have one) at the parking area for the Abel Tasman National Park entrance and walk from here to the water taxi pick up. This way, when you finish the hike, you can hop right into the van/car and get back to your accommodation easily.
The water taxi ride is such a cool way to start a day hike! They take you on a brief tour of the area before dropping you off at the bay of your choosing. We got to boat over to Split Apple Rock and we saw the seals at Motuareronui (Adele Island) along the way. The boat will stop at Anchorage Bay to let some people off, and if you are after a shorter walk, this is an option too. Then you’ll continue on to Bark Bay, where your feet will get wet getting off the boat, so don’t put your hiking shoes on until you reach dry land and are ready to start the hike.
The Trail
We couldn’t believe how well maintained this track is. It makes for a super easy and pleasant trail to hike. It’s not technically challenging and whilst there are a few uphill climbs, they don’t last too long and aren’t overly taxing. The real challenge of the hike is just the distance. Coming in at 25.5kms is the longest day hike we have undertaken. It took us about 8 and a half hours, including stops, to get back to Marahau from Bark bay.
Bark Bay/Medlands Beach
Depending on which water taxi company you use to get out to the park, you’ll either be dropped off at Bark Bay or Medlands beach. These are both in the same bay, so don’t worry about which one you end up at as it doesn’t add or detract from the walk if you end up starting from either one.
Make sure you take a minute to enjoy your surroundings before hitting the trail as it is a climb up and then a descent while before you’ll be back down at sea level. To find the start of the track, look for the Māori carving of Te Tana Pukekohatu. Be sure to read the sign explaining the life of Te Tana Pukekohatu, a leading rangatira of Ngāti Rārua.
Suspension Bridge
Follow the track along the lush bush, listening to the birds as you go. You’ll see glimpses of the bays and sea as you hike, so be sure to take photos and enjoy the view when you get it through the trees. Within about half an hour of walking, you’ll come to the suspension bridge over Falls River. It’s one of the largest rivers in the National Park. You’ll want to stop halfway along the bridge to appreciate its turquoise waters.
Continue following the track and if you’ve timed the tides correctly, you’ll come across a view that may look rather familiar to you. If you have all-trails or you’ve purchased a copy of Lonely Planet’s Best Day Walks in New Zealand this little bay will be a photo you’ve seen before. We stopped and had a snack on a rock, looking out to the bay.
Torrent Bay
A little further on from the famous bay we don’t know the name of you’ll come across halfway pool! It’s a tiny swimming pool that marks the halfway point of the full track but sadly not the day walk you are on. We chose not to swim here as its well shaded and early in the morning was still rather cold, even for Tiff! Keep tramping (kiwi for hiking) along the easy bush track for another 40 minutes or so and you’ll reach the stunning blue waters of Torrent Bay. Take in the view from above before you descend to sea level.
This is the main settlement in the park, with a few holiday homes and camping areas. There are long drop toilets here if needed. We didn’t stop here to swim as we were determined to get to Cleopatra’s Pool. However, if you decide not to walk to Cleopatra’s Pool, then have a swim here whilst you wait for the tide to drop so you can walk across the estuary and straight to Anchorage Bay.
Cleopatra’s Pool
The recommended route is to walk around Torrent Bay and not cut across it at low tide. This is 3.4kms longer, but it does offer the option of a quick detour to Cleopatra’s Pool and crossing the three rivers that feed into Torrent Bay. Taking this option means you don’t have to rely on the tide and can walk it at whatever time of day you get there.
We think the extra kms are worth it for a dip in Cleopatras pool. It’s so picturesque here that even if you don’t go for a dip, in the crystal clear inviting water, you’ll want to see this place for yourself and take your own stunning photos. Tiff went for multiple dips in different areas whilst Nathan took pictures and avoided the cold water. We spent at least half an hour here taking in the beauty of the Torrent River and basking in the peace of the natural pools.
Anchorage Bay
Once you are back on the main track, from your picturesque detour to Cleopatra’s Pool, continue on until you get to Anchorage Bay. If you are running low on time, you can choose not to walk down to sea level here and continue on the track to Apple Tree Bay.
However, we wouldn’t recommend missing Anchorage unless you absolutely have to. The bay here is pristine and has a long stretch of golden sand. It’s the perfect spot to stop for a picnic lunch and a good swim in the ocean. Nathan even went for a little dip here, whilst Tiff spent a good ten minutes swimming in the clear blue water after lunch.
Instead of walking back up the spot you came down to Anchorage Bay from the main track, we recommend picking the main track back up from halfway along the beach. The views back to the main track along the ridge up from the midway point of the beach were our favourite views from the entire walk. So be sure to stop and catch your breath by turning to look behind you on the climb back up from Anchorage Bay.
Apple Tree Bay/Views of Motuareronui (Adele Island)
We chose not to venture to any of the bays after Anchorage as we were running short on time. The views from the track are beautiful for the rest of the walk back to Marahau and there are some very well placed benches to make use of the view and stop for a snack. You’ll get views out to Motuareronui (Adele Island) and constant glimpses of the sparkling blue ocean.
The walk from Anchorage to Marahau will see you passing a few bays, the biggest of which is Apple Tree Bay. If you choose to go down to sea level here, it is a rather steep climb down to the beach.
The closer you get to Marahau, the more people you’ll encounter on the trail and the lower you’ll get to sea level. The last stretch of the walk is over board-walked wetlands and quite beautiful in the setting sun. The hike ends at a very well placed pub that smells divine as you walk past it to get to your car. Sadly, our budget didn’t stretch to fit in a pint of beer and chips at the pub, but if we ever go back, that’s how we’d be ending the hike if we could!
Extra Tips & Info for Abel Tasman Track
We took an extra bag with us to pick up rubbish on the track. Whilst we didn’t see a lot of rubbish at the start, we did encounter some on the higher traffic areas such as beaches and closer into town. We even picked up a beer bottle that was sitting on the side of the track! Picking up other people’s rubbish on these hikes is how we like to practice ‘leave no trace’.
To us, leave no trace means anything you take in goes out with you, you keep to the marked trails and don’t take anything extra out of the area other than memories, photos and the rubbish other people had decided not to take with them. It’s really important you practice leave no trace on any hike, no matter how long it is. For more info on the practice of ‘leave no trace’ and being a conscious hiker, check out our in-depth blog post on it here.
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- Best Short Walks in Nelson/Tasman Region
- 10 Hidden Gem South Island Photography Spots
- Day Hike – Pouākai Crossing
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