The Abel Tasman National Park may be New Zealand’s smallest, but it’s among one of the country’s most beautiful National Parks, boasting stunning coastal scenery, including golden beaches and sculptured granite cliffs. With the Abel Tasman National Park Day Pass, you’ll be able to spend a whole day exploring this spectacular part of South Island and all of the amazing coastal views it has to offer.
Your Abel Tasman National Park pass gives you the freedom to enjoy a scenic beach and walk of your choice during your time in Abel Tasman. After a long few hours of walking, head into the beautiful blue waters for a refreshing swim, before enjoying a delicious picnic with a view on the beach or retreating to a beachside café. Some of your destination choices in Abel Tasman with your day pass include:
Tonga Bay to Medlands Beach
After a scenic cruise into the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, where a colony of seals can be seen on the beach follow the Bark Bay Waterfall trail around the coastline, crossing the scenic swing bridge by Bark Bay Falls and reaching the golden sands of Bark Bay. From here, you can continue onwards to Medlands Beach, another stunning beach to round off the day, before a gentle cruise back.
Medlands Beach to Anchorage
Following arrival at Medlands Beach, the day is yours to enjoy a leisurely 6.5 mile-walk with incredible views. Between the views of breathtaking granite coast and stretches of golden sandy beaches, you’ll also be able to enjoy some shade in groves of ferns and fragrant manuka and gullies of mature forest, where you’ll pass tranquil forest pools. Highlights of this walk include the impressive suspension bridge over the Falls River, and the short trail to Cleopatra’s Pool, which is home to a natural waterslide for the truly adventurous at heart.
Awaroa Beach to Medlands Beach
Cruise past the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and its resident seal colony before disembarking on the Awaroa sandspit, with its panoramic views over the estuary. After checking out the historic Maori relics scattered here, embark on an adventure through the forest, along a unique boardwalk and bridge, before a vast stretch of golden sands appears. From here, continue over the headland to discover Tonga Quarry, and if you still have any energy left, you can carry on the walk around the Bark Bay inlet and onwards to Medlands Beach.
The Abel Tasman Day Pass includes a spectacular scenic cruise to and from the beach of your choice in the National Park, departing from Kaiteriteri. Along the way, you’ll get to soak up mesmerising views of the coastline from the water, as well as seeing a colony of seals in their home at the Tonga Island Nature Reserve.
Nelson: Abel Tasman National Park Day Pass is featured in the following itineraries:
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