Local Tips
Insider knowledge & tips on the best parts of the Abel Tasman National Park.
Insider knowledge, tips, and stories from our favourite parts of the Abel Tasman region.
Enjoy reading our stories from the around the region. AbelTasman.com produces the annual Abel Tasman Magazine, if you miss out on the print version you’ll find many of the articles, stories and images here. We like to think that this collection of informative blogs will help you appreciate the park and it’s region just that little bit more!
Spotlight on Riwaka
First, a disclaimer: I live in Riwaka and believe it to be the most splendid place on this planet. I have been something of a gypsy for most of my life so have lived
An insight into the Inland
The Abel Tasman Inland Track often goes unobserved and is definitely the trail less travelled. Once you’ve explored the Abel Tasman coastline and picked your favourite beach to return to time after time, the
The First Zero Carbon Itinerary in New Zealand
Recently the Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) launched the very first Zero Carbon Itinerary in New Zealand. The idea of this four day trip around the Nelson Tasman District is to leave as light
Which Kayaking Option?
By the last count, there were over a million different options for kayaking trips in the Abel Tasman! There are so many options and factors to consider it’s enough to give you a headache,
Wilding Pine Removal – A community effort
It seems strange to celebrate dying trees in a national park. But the grey skeletal remains of wilding pines you see on the ridges of the Abel Tasman are a tribute to a community project that has stopped a
A Mindful Walk in the Park
“Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past.”I have always loved this whakataukī (proverb) that speaks to the dynamic perspectives of time where the
Te Waharoa – Gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park
A distinctive landmark in Mārahau greets all visitors who approach the National Park from the South – a carved waharoa (entranceway). It tells the story of migration of the tūpuna (ancestors) of the people who live
Why is the Abel Tasman the most popular of our 13 national parks?
How is it that our smallest national park, at 237km2, is also the one which attracts the most visitors each year? Perhaps most importantly, the Park contains some stunning scenery and a number of
Fantasy Island
Who doesn’t like the idea of visiting a tropical island? Sitting proudly and prominently in the Astrolabe Roadstead are not one but two tropical islands, and there is no better way to check out these islands than in a kayak.
Golden Bay: One of my happiest of happy places
Whenever we’re looking for a short break we find ourselves drawn back to Golden Bay time and time again. And the more time I spend on the other side of Takaka Hill the more my love affair with all things Golden Bay seems to grow.
Straight to the heart of the Park!
If you’ve only got a half-day to spare, or if you don’t really want to commit to a full-day of paddling, the Marine Reserve Express is the trip for you!
A one-way ticket to Anchorage
Our most frequently asked frequently asked question? What is your most popular trip? The answer: The classic one-way trip to Anchorage and a walk back to Marahau.
One night in paradise is still a night in paradise!
One night is not a lot of time, but as locals who live close to the Abel Tasman we have always found it well worthwhile when we’ve headed into the Park, even for a single night of camping.
Tramping Beyond The Abel Tasman
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a fantastic introduction to tramping. Once you’ve completed a multi-day tramp in the Park, there is no end of options for more tracks to explore. But you’ll need some preparation and perhaps a touch of madness if you’re planning on some more challenging treks through New Zealand’s more remote areas.
River Swimming In & Around the Abel Tasman
The Abel Tasman area is chock-full of fantastic freshwater swimming spots. Each summer I make it a personal mission to try out as many of these often out-of-the-way swimming holes as possible.
Need help deciding what to do?
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