Abel Tasman National Park

01/09/2017

'Beautiful', 'Looks like in a catalog', 'Absolute must-do' are just some of the comments we heard when we asked locals or other travelers about Abel Tasman National Park.

The 225 km² national park includes a large coastal area and the forested area behind it in the northeast of the South Island. It was named after the first European settler in New Zealand. One of the Great Walks passes through it, which is a 60 km long hiking trail with huts and campsites along its edges for overnight stays.

So we had to choose from the countless possibilities of exploring the national park. We decided against Aquataxi and canoe and opted for the original option: to walk a section of the Great Walk. From the car park in Marahau, we followed the coast to the Cleopatra Pools, which are located deep in the forest. From there, we returned along the beach with a stopover in one of the countless bays. After 8 hours, we arrived at the car and walked a total of 25 km. But it was definitely worth it. The entire coastal area is simply fantastic, with clear, turquoise water and golden beaches. :)