Abel Tasman National Park Information

The Sea Kayak Company appreciates the role of the Department of Conservation (DOC) in managing this beautiful National Park and in providing us with our Guided Walk and Mammal viewing permits.

Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous sea kayaking waterways and coastal track. It also has a mild climate and is a great place to visit at any time of the year. This part of the website will provide you with detailed information to help you plan your trip into our special piece of paradise!

Named after the Dutch seafarer, The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest Park, formed in 1942 it covers 15,000 hectares of diverse landscapes from the sculptured granite coastline to the weirdly etched and fluted rock formations in the area known as the Canaan Downs.

More recently, 1993, the Tonga Island Marine Reserve was established along a typical 12 kilometer stretch of coastline. Already we can see a wide variety of fauna and flora re-establishing themselves within the Park. The Park and track system is open 365 days per year (the only Great Walk to be open year round in NZ)

Huts and campsite accommodation

Huts have heating, toilets, bunks, mattresses and a water supply. No cooking facilities are provided. Visitors should carry a cooking stove. Visitors wanting to use huts on the Abel Tasman coastline need to book them in advance. Go to www.doc.govt.nz click on the "tracks and walks" icon. Food and provisions cannot be purchased in the Park except at Totaranui for a limited period in high summer.

Huts on the coastal track:

There are 21 campsites on the Abel Tasman National Park. Bookings are required. The track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks and campsites must be booked in advance. Go to www.doc.govt.nz and click on the "Tracks and Walks" icon, then go to the Abel Tasman National Park icon. There you can book on line.

Each campsite has toilets, and a water supply (treated water at Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Totaranui) boil or treat water at all other sites. These are the only places where camping is permitted in the Park. There is no rubbish disposal in the Park, take it in and take it out.

Fires are permitted in designated fireplaces at certain campsites, at times total fire bans are in place.

The Abel Tasman National Park has an average summer air temperature range of 24 oC high and 12 oC low and a water temperature range of 18 - 20 oC. In winter air temperature range is a low of 4oC to 13oC high and water temperature of 10oC. The average annual rainfall is approximately 1800 mm

There are small buzzy things called sandflys that are annoying but not lethal! Insect repellant advised and cover up in the evenings.

Tides

The Abel Tasman coastline is tidal in nature with an average rise and fall of 3 meters. This does effect walking times at the following points:

1. Torrent Bay - Add 1 hour if walking high tide route
2. Onetahuti Beach to Awaroa - passable 4 hours either side of low tide
3. Awaroa inlet crossing heading north. - Only passable 2 hours either side of low tide

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