Abel Tasman Coast Track Brochure

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Plan and prepare ABEL TASMAN ABEL TASMAN COAST TRACK

Takaka COAST TRACK HEAPHY TRACK Duration: 3–5 days Great Walks season: Distance: 60 km (one way) All year Motueka

Karamea NELSON Nelson Picton Visitor Centre Wakeﬁeld

BLENHEIM

Westport Murchison St Arnaud Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

Punakaiki Reefton Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

Kaikoura Greymouth Hanmer Springs

Kumara

Hokitika

Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre

Oxford Rangiora

Kaiapoi Franz Josef/Waiau Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre CHRISTCHURCH Ōtautahi/Christchurch Visitor Centre Methven

Aoraki/Mount Cook Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Akaroa Visitor Centre Haast ASHBURTON Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre

Geraldine Fairlie

Temuka Twizel Makaroa

TIMARU

ROUTEBURN TRACK Wanaka Kurow Waimate Milford Sound Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre

Arrowtown MILFORD TRACK Cromwell QUEENSTOWN OAMARU Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ Ranfurly Queenstown Visitor Centre Clyde Alexandra

KEPLER TRACK

Palmerston Te Anau Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre Waikouaiti

Mossburn Lumsden DUNEDIN Fairﬁeld Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre Dipton

GORE Milton

Winton Mataura Balclutha

Kaka Point Riverton/ Aparima INVERCARGILL

RAKIURA TRACK

Oban Stewart Island/ Rakiura National Park Rakiura Visitor Centre Elevation profile & track guide Tinline Akersten Bay ABEL Campsite Te Pukatea Bay Bark Bay Hut 30 campers Campsite and Campsite 6 campers Campsite 14 campers 34 bunks Coquille Bay Observation Beach Anchorage Hut 80 campers Campsite Campsite and Campsite TASMAN 12 campers 12 campers 34 bunks Apple Tree Bay 100 campers Mārahau Shelter Campsite Watering Cove Torrent and car park 30 campers Campsite Bay Village COAST 160 m 10 campers Campsite 20 campers 80 m

TRACK 0 m 4 hr / 12.4 km 4 hr / 11.5 km With a mild climate, golden beaches and lush, coastal native bush, the Abel Tasman Coast Track has it all. Located in Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island’s northern shores, this family-friendly Great Walk showcases the best that the park has to offer. Marvel at naturally-sculptured granite Day 2: Anchorage to Day 1: Mārahau to Anchorage Bark Bay (Wairima) cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Plan an adventure that suits 4 hours, 12.4 km High tide track: 4 hours, 11.5 km your ability and schedule. You’ll begin your journey crossing Low tide crossing: Mārahau estuary using the causeway. You can hike the whole track, 3 hours, 8.4 km or take a water taxi between Follow the track through open country, certain locations. then lush beech forest with large kānuka Rākauroa/Torrent Bay estuary trees. The track eventually turns inland, can be crossed within 2 hours winding in and out of several little gullies either side of low tide, or you can The Abel Tasman Coast Track before emerging to a view of the beautiful take the all-tide track around can be walked in either direction. Anchorage Bay. Here you’ll descend to it. After Rākauroa/Torrent Bay, The track is well marked and Anchorage Hut and Campsite. you’ll leave the beach and climb signposted, but some sections gently into lush coastal forest. may be steep and rough and the An impressive 47-metre long track could be muddy. suspension bridge takes you over Falls River. You’ll meander through This brochure describes a 5-day the forest before being led back hike for independent, non-guided to the sea and the idyllic golden walkers who choose to hike the sands of Bark Bay (Wairima). whole track from Mārahau to Wainui Bay. This track involves one compulsory tidal crossing and several optional crossings. It’s important to consult a tide timetable before booking your trip.

Duration: 3–5 days COVER: Te Pukatea Bay, Darryl Wilson Distance: 60 km (one way) ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Black Pete; Shellie Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz) Great Walks season: DOC/90 Seconds; DOC (photo by Garry Holz); Eduardo Villouta Stengl

All year MAIN PHOTO: Tōtaranui, Daniel Deans water tidal hut campsite shelter car park Mosquito Bay access only crossing Campsite Boat access only Water taxi not available 40 campers Tōtaranui Campsite Awaroa Hut and car park Mutton Cove and Campsite Waiharakeke Bay Whariwharangi Bay Great Walk campsite Campsite 26 bunks Campsite Hut and Campsite Tonga Quarry (one night only) 40 campers 36 campers 20 campers Anapai Bay 20 bunks 40 campers 40 campers Onetahuti Bay Awaroa Campsite Campsite 12 campers car park Wainui car park 40 campers

4 hr 30 min / 13.5 km 2 hr 20 min / 7.1 km 3 hr 15 min / 9.8 km 2 hr / 5.7 km

Day 5: Whariwharangi Bay Day 3: Bark Bay (Wairima) to Wainui Bay to Awaroa Day 4: Awaroa to Whariwharangi Bay or Tōtaranui

4 hours 30 minutes, 13.5 km 5 hours 35 minutes (tidal), 16.9 km 2 hours, 5.7 km to Wainui Bay Cross the beautiful Bark Bay estuary Awaroa Inlet can only be crossed within 1 hour 3 hours, 9 km 2 hours either side of low tide or follow 30 minutes before and 2 hours after low tide alternative route the all-tide track (10 minutes) around the under normal conditions. However, this period to return to edge of the estuary. A steep climb takes can be affected by factors such as tide heights, Tōtaranui you through stands of mānuka. Return storm surges and heavy rain. It is only safe to to the coast at Tonga Quarry and it’s a cross the inlet in daylight. Allow 25 minutes to Follow a stream then climb short walk from there to Onetahuti Bay, cross. There is no alternative track around the above the bay to a saddle where one of the longest beaches inlet, so plan your trip carefully to suit the overlooking the serene in the Abel Tasman stretches before you. tide timetable. Wainui Inlet. At this point,

Here a boardwalk and bridge provide you can descend to the Once you have crossed the inlet, the scenery an all-tide crossing. The track then leads car park and track end at alternates between sandy beaches and rocky over the forested Tonga Saddle. As you Wainui. Alternatively, you headlands of regenerating kānuka. Tōtaranui start to descend to Awaroa Inlet, you can take the Gibbs Hill Campsite is a nice place to stop for lunch. can take a non-DOC track to visit the track to return to Tōtaranui. At the day’s end, camp or stay just behind the famous Awaroa Beach, before returning beach in the cosy and historic Whariwharangi to the main track. A water taxi service Hut (a former homestead built around 1896). operates between Marahau and Tōtaranui but does not stop at Whariwharangi or Wainui. It is possible to walk back to Tōtaranui from Wainui, either via the Gibbs Hill Track or along the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Alternatively, you can charter a bus or shuttle from Wainui. " Great Walk hut Places to stay " Great Walk campsite Separation Point / Te Matau Scenic campsite DOC operates 4 huts and 18 Taupō Hill " 205m # Boat access only ! "

campsites along the Abel Tasman Water taxi not available ! " " Anatakapau Bay Coast Track, which must be booked Wainui Shelter Bay ! Tasman Bay / " in advance all year round. Campers Te Tai-o-Aorere Toilet (toilets are also ! available at all huts are not permitted to use hut facilities. " and campsites) Wainui car park ! " Car park Gibbs Hill Ka Gi ik "

bb 405m a s u ! H # S Compulsory low tide i tr

ll e ! crossing at Awaroa Wainui " " T a m r ! a Inlet ! Inlet. Optional c ! k

!! crossings at " Rākauroa/Torrent Bay and Bark Bay " Great Walk Route m a re " t Tramping track S i u ! ! n Walking track a r ta Goat Bay Road ō T "

Photo: David Buckton ! Centre Peak 0 1 km W 534m a ! # i h ¯ a r a ! k eke S t m Great Walks huts ! k c a " r T Canoe Bay d Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ n Awaroa la n Bay abeltasmantrack for prices. I " Brereton Cove

" " Non-DOC Great Walks campsites track " # Mount Rollinson Tonga Saddle 228m k Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ Alma Hill Awaroa " e Shag Harbour 608m e 583m Inlet r # # C abeltasmantrack for prices. e r u t n e The campsites offer basic facilities V Tonga Island Stony Hill Marine Reserve

including toilets and a water supply. # 394m r

Some also have a sink, picnic tables e

v i

R " Tonga Tonga Island and a cooking shelter. a Quarry

r No Landing, except a with special permit w A " Enrich your walk by Tonga Hill # 458m downloading the free Abel H u Abel Tasman f Tasman app from the App fa m S tr Store or Google Play. It includes eam National Park Access by boat only maps, information about history and " Water taxi not available native species, weather forecasts, " " Medlands Beach tides times and more! The app works 740m offline in the park. # " Falls Sandfly Bay Ri F ve a r lls Ri # Bare Knob v e 314m r T Frenchman Bay r a c k Cascade Falls Boundary Bay 907m #

680m # " Mount Evans 1156m ! !

# ! kauroa /

ā ! Cleopatras R Torrent Bay " Pool ! ! r Inlan ve d Track To t R i " " rre n " " Rātā Hill S im 582m o # n T e in t C li " n r e e S e k Stilwell tr " e Bay Motuareronui/ a M m ār Adele Island ah au Ri

ver " !

! " ! "

! Fisherman Island " " " ! (Motuareroiti)

Kaiteriteri, Sandy Bay Motueka

The map in this brochure is a guide only and should not be used for navigational purposes. Highlights 1

Air New Zealand partners with the Department of Conservation to bring birdsong back to 2 our Great Walks.

Photo: Rob Suisted (www.naturespic.com)

1 Explore the crystal-clear waters of Tonga Island Marine Reserve. It’s a fantastic place to Photo: Nick Thompson swim, snorkel or kayak. 2 An enticing 20-minute side trip on day two takes you through lush trees to the secluded 3 Cleopatras Pool – a natural rock pool with a moss-lined waterslide fit for a queen! 3 Keep an eye out for fur seals/kekeno found along the coast of the park, particularly on the more remote granite headlands and boulder beaches. Seals are confident and agile swimmers but are more wary when out of the water. If you spot one, admire it from a distance – it’s a requirement to stay 20 m away. 4 Take advantage of the region’s sunshine hours Photo: Karin Noresten and stay next to golden beaches at one of the 18 campsites.

4 Conservation story Project Janszoon is a privately funded trust that works alongside DOC, iwi, the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust and DOC’s National Partner for Conservation, Air New Zealand, to restore the ecology of the Abel Tasman National Park over a 30-year timeframe. This collaboration enables over 90% of the national park to have sustained pest control, creating a haven for birds. As predators and weeds are reduced, rare native birds and plants are Photo: Chloe Riddell @awkwardterrain, CC by 2.0 beginning to flourish again.www.janszoon.org . What do I do next? Getting there

Start off at www.doc.govt. The track is accessible by road at the nz/abeltasmantrack for more following locations, each with a car park: information.  Mārahau, 67 km from Nelson  W ainui, 21 km from Takaka BOOK Consult tide timetables (unsealed for 2 km) 0 25 50 km and book your huts  T ōtaranui, 32 km from Takaka and campsites online at (unsealed for 12 km) ABEL TASMAN bookings.doc.govt.nz. COAST TRACK Water taxis operate year Book your transport to and round from Mārahau and Takaka Kaiteriteri, and can transport from the track. HEAPHY you to and from several TRACK locations along the track. Kaiteriteri Buy your food and pack your They do not go north of Motueka bags – download the Great Tōtaranui and do not stop Walks packing list and make at Wainui Bay. Karamea sure you have everything you NELSON Nelson Picton need for a 5-day independent Visitor Centre unguided hike. Wakeﬁeld

BLENHEIM Read up on safety and make sure you’re well prepared for your journey and changeable weather at www.doc.govt.nz/ abeltasmantrack. Westport Know before you go Murchison St Arnaud It is important to plan your trip 5. Take sufficient suppliesRotoiti/Nelson. Lakes Visitor Centre Check the weather, and thoroughly to ensure you stay safe. Take the right gear, including extra make sure you’ve printed Before you go, know the Outdoor food, clothing and equipment in your ticket and official track Safety Code – 5 simple rules to case something goes wrong. You’ll guide. You can also find a tide help you #MakeItHomeNZ. have to carry everything you need, Punakaiki Reefton timetable, track guide and the Paparoa National as you can’t buy food or equipment Park Visitor Centre latest weather update online or 1. Plan your trip. Choose a trip that fits at Great Walks huts or campsites. at the Nelson Visitor Centre. your abilities. Make sure you have enough time to do your walk, plus You can find more information on extra time. Book accommodation, safety at www.doc.govt.nz/safety or www.adventuresmart.nz. Kaikoura All set! Lace up your boots transport and transfers to the start/ Greymouth and get hiking. Don’t forget end of the track early. to share your experience on Safety on the AbelHanmer Tasman Springs 2. Tell someone your plans. Coast Track facebook.com/docgovtnz. Tell someone where you are going Kumara and when you’ll be back. Ask them  Check a tide timetable when Hokitika to call emergency services if you planning your trip as you can only haven’t returned on time. Consider cross Awaroa estuary at low tide. For in-depth carrying a personal locator beacon, See ‘Know before you go’ at as there is no cellphone reception www.doc.govt.nz/abeltasmantrack local knowledge, visit: on most tracks.Arthur’s Pass National or contact the DOC Visitor Centre Park Visitor Centre in Nelson. Nelson Visitor Centre 3. Be aware of the weather. Phone: +64 3 546 8210 New Zealand weather is very  While the Abel Tasman coast Email: [email protected] changeable. Even if it’s summer is generally warm and dry in or the forecast is good, you should summer, the weather can change www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks always carry a rain jacket and warm quickly. Be prepared for rain, clothing. Check metservice.com Oxford cold, windyRangiora conditions and for the most up to date forecast. additional tide crossings when Kaiapoi Franz Josef/Waiau there are coastal changes. Westland Tai Poutini 4. Know your limits. A good level of National Park Visitor Centre fitness is needed to walk the track.  Go to www.doc.govt.nz/ Published by: Read about the track carefully to abeltasmantrackCHRISTCHURCH ‘Know before Department of Conservation you go’ sectionŌtautahi/Christchurch for detailed safety Visitor Centre PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand make sure it suits your abilities. Always follow the Methventrack markers information, and ‘What to take’ section October 2020 and signposted tracks – going for a full gear list. Editing and design: Aoraki/Mount Cook off-track can be hazardous, even Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa AtawhaiAoraki/Mt Cook National Park Akaroa Visitor Centre for experienced walkers. Don’t be Remember – your safety is Creative Services, Department of Conservation afraid to turn back. your responsibility Haast ASHBURTON Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre This publication is produced using paper sourced from

R185113 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.