Abel Tasman Coast Track Frequently Asked Questions

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is 60km long and can be walked in 3-5 days. Each day involves about 4-6 hours walking if staying at each of the Park’s huts which are Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi. There are also 18 campsites along the coast so there are many ways you can divide your days on the track. You can also catch a water taxi if you want to skip parts of the track or are shorter on time.

Yes! The Abel Tasman is an ideal introduction to multi-day walking. It is the easiest Great Walk, with a moderately undulating track that ranges between sea level and 150m (500ft) above sea level at Gibbs Hill between Whariwharangi and Wainui. Walking times are shorter than other great walks, allowing plenty of rest and relaxation which can include swimming everyday. It has a wide, well graded track that you can walk in hiking shoes. You can arrange to have your backpack transferred by boat to your next destination—or even skip parts of it by booking a boat anywhere between Mārahau and Tōtaranui. See our blog Planning your Abel Tasman Coast Track walk for more information.

The Abel Tasman can easily be walked in either direction.

The Coast Track can be walked year-round. Summer is the most popular time as the Park is renowned for its beautiful golden sand bays, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Outside peak season you will experience less people and as the climate remains relatively mild—even in winter—the off-season is also a great time to visit. However, you need to be prepared for rain and cooler temperatures at anytime by packing correctly. See our blog What gear to pack on the Heaphy and Abel Tasman Coast Tracks for advice and hints. Remember to add your swimsuit and a towel!

The Department of Conservation operates huts and campsites on the Abel Tasman Coast Track. These need to be booked prior to departure and tickets must be shown to DOC staff on request. Bookings can be made online at the DOC website. We advise that you check availability for your preferred dates before booking your flights and shuttles. There is also private accommodation available. See our blog Planning your Abel Tasman Coast Track walk for advice on the best places to stay.

Campsites have water taps while the DOC huts have running water in the indoor kitchen areas. DOC advises treating water before drinking, either by boiling or using water purification tablets. You will need to bring your own cooker and gas, cooking equipment, utensils and food. All huts have wood fire heating, with wood provided. Open fires are generally prohibited in the Park, except at designated fire pits in campsites, but check with latest DOC notices as there is often a complete fire ban in effect. All huts have bunk beds with squab mattresses (no pillows provided) and you need to bring your own sleeping bag or quilt. Anchorage and Bark Bay Huts have solar powered lighting, but you will need a candle or torch for other huts.

There are no hot showers but there is an outdoor shower at Anchorage about 100 meters along the beach to the west of the hut below the warden’s hut and also one near Awaroa Hut and campsite. At Tōtaranui there are cold showers in the camping ablution blocks.

Toilets are available at all huts, campsites and carparks, and at Goat Bay, Pound Gully, Medlands and Stilwell Bay. At the smaller campsites these are composting ‘long-drops’ but the huts and larger campsites have flush toilets. All toilets should have toilet paper supplied but pack some emergency toilet paper just in case!

There is no rubbish collection in the Park so bring a bag to pack out all of your rubbish with you.

The Abel Tasman is a multi-day walk and while it is easier than most of the other great walks, you still need to be prepared with proper outdoor gear. You need walking clothes, warm clothes, proper rain-proof jacket, a sleeping bag or quilt, water bottle, gas cooker and enough gas for your trip, cooking and eating utensils, food, first aid kit and torch. Don’t forget your swimsuit and towel!

Check out our blog What gear to pack on the Heaphy and Abel Tasman Coast Tracks for a check list of things to take.

There are no cooking facilities in the huts. You will need to bring a cooker and fuel. Camping fuels are hazardous substances and cannot be carried on aircraft. We can provide you with camping gas canisters and fuel at cost price if you have flown into Nelson or Takaka and we are shuttling you to the Park. Please contact us to arrange.

Nelson, Motueka and Marahau all have a great range of accommodation. Golden Bay Air can pick you up from many accommodation locations. Please see our map of pickup/dropoff locations.

At the Golden Bay side of the track, Tākaka makes an ideal staging post. There is a good range of accommodation available.

Yes. Golden Bay Air provides free accommodation and airport pickups and dropoffs when you book a shuttle to or from the Abel Tasman. Please see our map of pickup/dropoff locations.

From 1 May to 30 September each year, mountain bikers can ride between Wainui and Tōtaranui via Gibbs Hill. Mountain biking is not permitted on the rest of the Coast Track

Cellphone reception along the Abel Tasman Coast Track is limited and patchy. We suggest you conserve the battery on your phone by putting it into airplane mode unless needing to communicate. Try texting if coverage is weak. Solar powered device charging is available at Anchorage camp and hut.

Project Janzoon offers pay-per-use internet access on private land at Torrent Bay and Awaroa. Proceeds go towards the Project’s ecological work with the Park.