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Abel , Kahurangi & Nelson Lakes

Why Go? Abel Tasman The Nelson region is a trampers’ paradise, boasting three Coast Track...... 169 national parks – Abel Tasman, Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes. . . . . . 175 Between them they offer a mind-blowing diversity of land- scapes and experiences, from swimming in golden coves Wangapeka Track. . . .180 or quick plunges in frigid mountain streams, to traversing Tableland Circuit . . . .184 a plateau strewn with ancient rock formations, tramping Lake Angelus Track. . . 191 across the sands of a wild West Coast beach, or exploring Travers-Sabine alpine peaks and passes with views as far as the eye can see. Circuit...... 193 This region has two Great Walks, including New Zea- St Arnaud Range land’s most popular, the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The Track ...... 196 other, the Heaphy Track, is famed for its ecological and geological wonders. There are many other well-established tracks and myriad more-remote and less-frequented options such as the Mt Arthur Tableland Circuit, included in this book for the first time. Best Huts ¨¨Anchorage Hut (p172) ¨¨Whariwharangi Hut (p174) When to Go Sheltered by mountain ranges, Abel Tasman National Park ¨¨Heaphy Hut (p179) basks in some of NZ’s best weather. Particularly pleasant ¨¨Salisbury Lodge (p186) spells occur reliably through summer and autumn, but the ¨¨Angelus Hut (p192) park can happily be tramped all year round. Kahurangi cops the westerly winds that blow off the Tas- man Sea, bringing substantial rainfall to mountain areas that in turn lead to river flooding. Snow is also possible at Best Views higher altitudes, but Kahurangi can be tramped all year ¨¨Separation Point (p173) round in favourable conditions. ¨¨James Mackay Hut (p178) Nelson Lakes possesses a surprisingly moderate climate for an alpine region. Things can turn pear-shaped very ¨¨Little Wanganui quickly, though, with the arrival of heavy rain or even a Saddle (p183) blizzard. The odds of good weather are considerably higher ¨¨Mt Arthur (p185) from November to April. ¨¨St Arnaud Range (p196) - - - - - . . . - govt doc . . doc . doc .

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¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ GATEWAY www.karameainfo.co.nz www.starnaud.co.nz www.motuekaisite.co.nz www.goldenbaynz.co.nz www.heaphytrack.com www.nelsonnz At the other end of the of end other the At Abel Tasman National Tasman Abel ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Resources skinny dip). dip). skinny swimsuit swimsuit (although you’ll probably get away with a your your tramping adventures. Pack a hat, sunscreen and getting getting out on or during stage at some water in the Between Between rivers, lakes and ocean, you can count on Top Top Tip Heaphy Track. Heaphy only 6500 people a year 6500 only peoplea the Walk, Great its complete second-largestnational but km, sq 4520 at park, ¨ NZ’s Kahurangiscale,is year, making it NZ’s most NZ’s it making year, Walk. popularGreat people walk the Abel the peoplewalk every Track Coast Tasman covering 227 sq km. sq 227 covering meandoesn’t small But 30,000 unpopular…around ¨ smallest, NZ’s is Park Fast Facts

asman, Kahurangi & Nelson Lakes Abe l Tasman National Park

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