One Day in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
Abel Tasman National Park is a coastal wilderness reserve located an hour’s drive away from Nelson on the south island of New Zealand. A popular backpacking destination, the entirety of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track takes between three to five days to complete – depending on your hiking style. But if you’re only in the area for one day, you can easily still get a taste of the park and see some of its greatest views! Continue reading for recommendations on how to spend one day in Abel Tasman, New Zealand.
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Hike the Abel Tasman Coastal Track
While there are several walking and biking trails available in Abel Tasman National Park, the most popular by far is the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. This is an intermediate hiking trail that runs along the water’s edge for over a 32 mile stretch. The dirt path is well established and easy to follow, with the majority of the trail shaded by the reserve’s surrounding foliage. While completing the whole track by foot would take several days, it’s common to turn the journey into a shorter out-and-back hike, walking only a few miles out to one of the first couple of beaches and then turning back for the day.
The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is a public trail that is free to access.
Pack a Picnic
One of the more popular spots to stop on a one day excursion is Coquille Bay, located only 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) out from the start of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Here you can walk down to a quiet beach and look out on the greater Tasman Bay. We recommend packing a picnic to bring along on your trek, so that you can sit down and enjoy a nice lunch in the sun before making the return trip back.
While Coquille Bay is a frequently visited destination, it is by no means the only beach accessible on a one day hike. Additional viewpoints are highlighted below:
- Porters Beach – 460 meters from the trail entrance
- Tinline Bay – 1.7 kilometers (~ 1 mile)
- Coquille Bay – 2.3 kilometers (~ 1.4 miles)
- Apple Tree Bay – 4.9 kilometers (~ 3 miles)
- Stillwell Bay – 6.6 kilometers (~ 4.1 miles)
- Akersten Bay – 7.2 kilometers (~ 4.5 miles)
- Watering Cove – 11.6 kilometers (~ 7.2 miles)
- Anchorage – 11.8 kilometers (~ 7.3 miles)
Kayak in Tasman Bay
With the stunning blue providing some of the most beautiful views in the region, you will not want to end your visit to Abel Tasman without exploring the area by water. The most popular means of navigating the bay is by kayak, but other options include a group paddle tour or private boat charter! Let us know which activity you like best in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do you need in Abel Tasman National Park? If you plan to hike the entire park, most people block out between three and five days depending on their experience level. However, a one day trip to see a portion of the park without camping overnight is still worth it – and just with the activities in this guide alone you’ll be able to fit in a lot!
- Is Abel Tasman National Park worth it? Definitely! Hiking along the coast of Abel Tasman was one of the most beautiful and enjoyable treks we did in New Zealand.
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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.
I’d love to hike the track one day. It’s a beautiful part of the world, and you’ve given great insight into Abel Tasman National Park.
I SO need to get back to New Zealand! I have no excuse, just across the ditch, and it’s been 2 decades since I last visited. This National Park looks beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Definitely on my list to hike. Looks like a beautiful area to hike and explore.
This is such a useful guide! Thank you for all the detailed information. Auspicious, since Picton has been on my radar for quite a while 🙂