Your Guide to Explore Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
Specifically formed for relaxation and adventure, New Zealand’s smallest national park is worth a visit on your trip to the country.
The park is renowned for its golden beaches, lush native forests, granite cliffs and many refreshing wonders of nature.
Either choose to walk along the coast track or leave your comfort zone to go kayaking, cycling or camping overnight in the national park area.
Remembered as New Zealand’s coastal paradise, this smallest national park in the country of gorgeous landscapes is a must see region of New Zealand.
New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)
New Zealand eTA Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. New Zealand Visa application process is automated, simple, and completely online. New Zealand Immigration now officially recommends Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain New Zealand eTA by filling out a form on this website and making the payment using a Debit or Credit Card. You will also require a valid email id as New Zealand eTA information will be sent to your email id. You do not need visit an embassy or consulate or to send your passport for Visa stamping. If you are arriving to New Zealand by the Cruise Ship route, you should check the New Zealand ETA eligibility conditions for Cruise Ship arrival to New Zealand.
How to Reach?
Abel Tasman national park is located in the nelson tasman region to the northern end of the south islands of the country. A short drive from Nelson, the park is situated in the nearby towns of Motueka, Takaka and Kaiteriteri.
A popular tourist destination, it is fairly easy to locate the park through all modes of transportation.
Find below the easiest ways to reach Abel Tasman National Park through varied modes of transport:
- Drive to the national park through Marahau, Wainui, Totaranui, and Awaroa. Since cars are not allowed within the park premises, you would have to access the beach and coastal track either through kayaking or walking.
- Use a water taxi service to travel within the park area in case you arrive by car. Abel Tasman National Park operates various privately owned water taxi or aqua taxi services all year round and is considered as the best option if you plan to travel by car.
- Kayak all the way to the park yourself and you can easily find many water taxi services providing this experience to visit the area.
Being a popular tourist destination, plan your trip accordingly to avoid peak season rush.
Although the national park acts as an all season tourist spot, to get the most from your visit you can also choose a less popular season to visit this gorgeous work of nature.
A small wonderland of the south, you will find many known wonders of New Zealand in the easiest accessible way possible only within the boundaries of Abel Tasman National park.
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Since 2019, NZeTA or New Zealand eTA has been made a necessary entry document needed by foreign citizens on arrival to New Zealand. New Zealand eTA or electronic travel authorisation would allow you to visit the country with the help of an electronic permit for a given period.
What to Try for a Memorable Experience?
Country’s Best Walks - Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Sterching 60 kilometres long, the Abel Tasman Coastal Track is located within New Zealand’s smallest national park. The unmatchable beauty of the region can be best explored through a walk by this long extending coastal track within the national park area.
The track would take you on a walk along the coast with mostly being a flat hike except in some uphill sections.
If you want to witness New Zealand’s most beautiful hikes then this track should be on the top of your travel list given its enchanting twists and turns going in and out of the forests and the ocean.
Begin your hike from the small town of Marahau upto the Wainui Bay where you would be accompanied with country’s best vistas and coalines all along the 37 mile stretch.
The difficulty level is fairly low for this hike so you can easily take your whole family on the walk.
If walking causes you any trouble then be open to bringing some variety to the experience by taking a water taxi or kayaking through the river to help you fully take in the park's spectacular scenery.
Kayaking Through the Park
Kayaking through the park is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of New Zealand's smallest but, one of the best national park's.
There are various kayak tour operators which you can find within the park's premises. Other options include kayak rentals, or a guided kayak tour within the park.
Whether you are a first time paddler or a seasoned kayaker, Witness the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets as you kayak during the day and pull out the kayak for camping at the beach at night.
Take a tour along the best beaches and bays of Abel Tasman and kayaking is one way when you can get the ultimate outdoor experience in a country like New Zealand.
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Visitors from Visa Free nations, also known as Visa Waiver countries, must apply for an online electronic travel authorization in the form of a New Zealand eTA from 2019. Learn more at New Zealand Tourist Visa.
Open and Refreshing Beaches
Some of the best places to go in Abel Tasman are its open Beaches.
Unending coastlines, amazing marine life and endless vistas of clear skies, the beaches of Abel Tasman are definitely some of the best you will find in New Zealand.
Best beaches of the national park include many to be included in the list of any beach lover’s paradise.
Kaiteriteri Beach is one of Abel Tasman’s most gorgeous beaches with native granite deposits, golden sand and a less crowded coastline, making this one of the must visit beaches in the park.
Located just a short distance from the town of Motueka. Other popular tourist choices include Tonga beach with its fur seal colony, Totaranui beach, Torrent bay backed by the forest landscapes of the national park, Onetahuti beach with plenty of marine life in its reserves and many other golden sand beaches spread across Abel Tasman.
Unlike many popular beaches in New Zealand, beaches of this smallest national park of the country are always on the list of must visit places but still remain hard to access due to their location.
If you manage to plan a hike to some of these gorgeous beaches you will surely be greeted with lots of undiscovered wonders of this country.
Take a Walk by the Torrent River
Cleopatra's pool is one of the best walks of Abel Tasman.
Believed to be gifted to the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, the artificially sculpted pool filled with mineral rich waters from the hot springs.
While planning a walk to the pool, choosing to take picnic breaks, observe the beaches and surroundings, or jump into the cold water for a quick swim, this little attraction surely has a lot to offer to a wanderer's eyes.
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New Zealand eTA or NZeTA has been made a necessary entry document needed by foreign citizens on arrival to New Zealand from 2019. If visiting New Zealand is among your travel plans or a trip to the country for any other specific purpose, then your wait to get an authorisation to visit New Zealand could be simply a few minutes.
Learn more at New Zealand Business Visa.
Best Hikes and More
The Nelson Tasman region of New Zealand is considered the best in the country for mountain bike tracks.
Nelson Tasman region is a paradise for bike trails, and tracks of all range difficulties can be found here.
Take the Moa Park inland track if you are looking for a moderate route to cycle.
For spectacular views of the beach, choose the Gibbs hills track which is great for beginners to intermediate levels although some sections of the track may involve steep slopes a little challenging for hiking and mountain biking.
A 12 mile loop near Takaka, Gibbs hills with its gorgeous views would take anywhere between 2 to 3 hours to complete the journey through mountain biking.
Gibbs Hill Track is co sidered a moderately challenging track available for mountain biking only between the months of May to October.
Where to Stay in Abel Tasman National Park?
Choose a guided tour from Marahau, Kaiteriteri or Golden Bay where you will find plenty of sea kayak tours on rentals, huts or lodges within the national park. Kaiteriteri is the best place to start as a base for hiking through the area.
A stunning beach on its own, Kaiteriteri acts as the best option to start exploring abel tasman, being considered as a gateway to the national park.
If night staying within the park is not on your list, you can even choose a day trip option from Nelson or Kaiteriteri.
Most people see camping as the only option of staying within the park, however there are many comfortable accommodation options available within this gorgeous scenery of this preserved wonder of the south island.
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Find All the Details About the New Zealand Visa Registration Process and Form Instructions. Completing a New Zealand Visa application is quick and easy. Filling out the online form takes minutes, and you don't have to go to an embassy or consulate.
Learn more at New Zealand Visa Application Form.
What's Unique About Abel Tasman?
A nature enthusiasts paradise, Abel tasman national park is no doubt one of the best places to see the majestic landscapes of new zealand all together at one place.
Even if you don’t visit many sites in New Zealand, this smallest national park of the country would remain on top recommendations for its variety of park experiences.
And not to mention you will find the country's best beaches, coastlines, rare marine life and best hiking tracks only within Abel Tasman.
For the best and fulfilling experience, plan a trip to the park during mid winter when the sun is warm, wind is forgiving and you can joyfully take long walks by the beach, something to add to the best memories of New zealand.
Use NZeTA to Visit New Zealand
It would be necessary for you to carry a New Zealand eTA if you are planning to visit New Zealand in all of the following cases:
- If you are a citizen of one of the visa waiver countries of New Zealand then travelling with an electronic travel authorisation would be an obligatory condition.
- For cruise travellers wanting to visit New Zealand, an eTA for New Zealand would be mandatory whether you belong to any nationality.
- For visitors belonging to listed 191 countries, any traveller visiting New Zealand for transit related purposes would also be required to carry an eTA for New Zealand.
You can apply for electronic travel authorization to New Zealand here.
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New Zealand has a new entry requirement known as the Online New Zealand Visa or eTA New Zealand Visa for short visits, vacations, or professional visitor activities. To enter New Zealand, all non-citizens must have a valid visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA). Learn more at Online New Zealand Visa.
Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your Online New Zealand Visa. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an Online New Zealand Visa or New Zealand eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). United States citizens, European citizens, Canadian citizens, United Kingdom citizens, French citizens, Spanish citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA. United Kingdom residents can stay on New Zealand eTA for 6 months while others for 90 days.
Please apply for an Online New Zealand Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight.