View source for Abel Tasman Coast Track

{{short description|Hiking trail in Tasman Region, New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
 |name        = Abel Tasman Coast Track
 |photo       = Rock stacks in Anapai Bay.jpg
 |photo_size  = 300px
 |caption     = Anapai Bay, one of many beaches along the track
 |location    = [[Abel Tasman National Park]], New Zealand
 |designation = [[New Zealand Great Walk]]
 |length      = {{convert|60|km|abbr=on}}
 |trailheads  = [[Mārahau, Wainui Bay]]
 |use         = [[Tramping in New Zealand|Tramping]]
 |highest     = Saddle close to Wainui Bay {{convert|200|m|abbr=on}}
 |lowest_m    = 0
 |difficulty  = Easy
 |season      = All year
 |sights      = Sandy beaches, lush coastal native bush, tidal estuaries and wetlands
 |hazards     = Tidal estuary crossings
 |surface     = Dirt, sand
 |website     = {{URL|http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track}}
}}

The '''Abel Tasman Coast Track''' is a {{convert|60|km}}<ref name="DOC">{{Cite web |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/ |title=Abel Tasman Coast Track |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=2016-02-11}}</ref> long walking track within the [[Abel Tasman National Park]] in New Zealand. It extends from [[Mārahau]] in the south to [[Wainui Bay|Wainui]] in the north, with many side tracks.  It is one of two main tracks through the park, the other being the [[Abel Tasman Inland Track]], which stretches for 38&nbsp;km between [[Tinline Bay]] and [[Torrent Bay]] off the main coastal track.  The coastal track is well sheltered, and with mild weather in all seasons, it is accessible and open throughout the year.

As one of the [[Department of Conservation (New Zealand)|New Zealand Department of Conservation]] (DOC) [[New Zealand Great Walks|Great Walks]], the coastal track is well formed and easy to follow.  It is the most popular [[Tramping in New Zealand|tramping]] track in New Zealand, with most of the approximately 200,000 visitors to Abel Tasman National Park walking at least part of the track.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Samantha Gee |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/71681060/Abel-Tasman-National-Park-generates-1m-revenue-after-record-breaking-season |title=Abel Tasman National Park generates $1m revenue after record-breaking season |date=10 Sep 2015 |access-date=2016-02-11 |publisher=[[Stuff.co.nz]]}}</ref>  It can be walked independently or with commercial operators with guiding, camping, lodge stay and boat stay options.  Following a protected coastline, many people combine walking and [[sea kayaking]] in Abel Tasman National Park.

To walk the entire track takes from 3 to 5 days. Single-day walks are popular, as many points are accessible by boat from beaches along the track. The only road access other than the start and end points, is at [[Tōtaranui]]. Commercial water taxi and boat operators operate on a published schedule, and provide pick-up and drop-off services between Mārahau and Tōtaranui. One of the most popular sections for walkers with limited time is from Bark Bay to Torrent Bay (or vice versa), a distance of 7.8 kilometres, which incorporates some steep paths, beautiful views over the two bays and a crossing of the Falls River by a 47&nbsp;m [[simple suspension bridge|swing bridge]].<ref name="DOC" />

To stay overnight in the National Park, visitors must use officially designated accommodation.  Independent travellers use DOC campsites and huts that must be reserved in advance during the most popular months.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/#page-id-8266 |title=Abel Tasman Coast Track: Fees and bookings |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=2016-02-11}}</ref>  A small number of commercial properties occupy parcels of private land within the boundaries of the National Park and provide lodge-style accommodation. Some backpacker accommodation is provided by boats moored off the coast.

With one of the largest [[tidal range]]s in New Zealand, the coastal track includes some tidal crossings that can only be negotiated at low tide.  Independent walkers and sea kayakers need to have information on tides in the area to plan their trips.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/#page-id-40488 |title=Abel Tasman Coast Track: Tide tables |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=2016-02-11}}</ref>

==Description==
For walking the entire Abel Tasman Coast Track, the track can be divided into five sections by the locations where huts are provided: Anchorage Bay, Bark Bay, Awaroa Inlet and Whariwharangi Bay. Between Mārahau and Tōtaranui, several more access points by water taxi, such as at Torrent Bay and Onetahuti Bay, make it possible to walk only parts of each section at a time for walks from less than an hour to half-day and day walks.<ref name="NZHerald">{{Cite news |last=Neville Peat |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=11431800 |title=Abel Tasman: Jump ashore, explorers |date=16 Apr 2015 |access-date=2016-02-11 |publisher=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref>

=== Mārahau to Anchorage Bay===
Mārahau is generally considered the starting point of the Abel Tasman Coast Track and is the only settlement along the track. Mārahau provides a DOC information centre, small shops, and holiday accommodation.

The first 12.4&nbsp;km section to Anchorage Bay takes in the estuary of the [[Mārahau River]] before passing several small bays and offering views out to Fisherman Island and Adele Island.  Along the way, the bays of Tinline Bay, Coquille Bay, Apple Tree Bay, Akersten Bay, and Watering Cove provide limited campsites and sandy beaches.<ref name="DOC_Trip_Sheet">{{Cite web |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/abel-tasman-coast-track-trip-sheet.pdf |title=Abel Tasman Coast Track trip information sheet |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=2016-02-11}}</ref> After Watering Cove, the track turns inland for about one kilometer before it reaches Anchorage Bay.  The hut and campsite at Anchorage is the largest along the track and like the other locations with huts provides filtered drinking water. A popular short side track from Anchorage leads to the Cleopatra's Pool, a natural rock pool with a moss-lined waterslide.

===Anchorage Bay to Bark Bay===
At Torrent Bay, the track crosses the first of three estuaries. The Torrent Bay estuary can either be crossed within 2 hours either side of low tide, or rounded by an alternative high tide track through the bush around the bay, lengthening the distance by 3&nbsp;km.<ref name="DOC_Trip_Sheet" /> The 8.4&nbsp;km section between Anchorage Bay and Bark Bay leads largely inland through coastal forest, but the terrain of the valleys it crosses remains gentle.
<gallery widths="250" heights="250">
File:Abeltasmannp swingbridge.jpg|Swing bridge over Falls River
File:FrenchmanBayNZDec012024.jpg|Frenchman Bay
File:RakauroaTorrentBayDec012024 04.jpg|The Torrent Bay estuary in low tide
</gallery>

===Bark Bay to Awaroa Inlet===
The 13.5&nbsp;km section from Bark Bay to Awaroa Inlet takes in the coast backing the [[Tonga Island Marine Reserve]], but continues largely through manuka forest with no sea views.  Bark Bay contains another tidal estuary, however, the provided all-tide track around it only adds 15 minutes.

At the halfway point, the Abel Tasman Coast Track briefly returns to the coast and runs along the wide sandy beach of Onetahuti Bay, with views out to [[Tonga Island]].  A bridge and boardwalk cross Richardson Stream and the surrounding wetland, before the track gently climbs over Tonga Saddle to Awaroa Bay.

Awaroa Bay extends for over 2&nbsp;km into Awaroa Inlet, which has a large tidal range and can only be crossed between about 1.5 hours before low tide and 2 hours after low tide.  A lodge, hut, and campsite provide a number of accommodation options.  The track first passes close to the lodge, with a side track leading to the lodge, before skirting another valley and ending on the sandy beaches of the inlet near Awaroa Hut. The shortcut to the hut and DOC campsite involves crossing a lagoon which at high tide is about wwaist deep, at low tide it can be ankle deep, or you can walk around it in about 10 min. The long way is 1 hr 30 min but avoids getting wet.

===Awaroa Inlet to Whariwharangi Bay===
This section of the track is {{convert|16.9|km}} long, but can be broken up into 7.1&nbsp;km to the Tōtaranui camping ground, and 9.8&nbsp;km from there to Whariwharangi Bay Hut.  Campsites are also located along the way at Waiharakeke Bay, Anapai Bay, and Mutton Cove.

Awaroa Inlet can be crossed from anywhere between Sawpit Point and the sandy shore in front of Awaroa Hut.  A large orange triangle marker indicates the point where the track continues on the other shore and is clearly visible from across the inlet, which is around 1&nbsp;km wide at this point.  Even at low tide, trampers can expect to get wet feet crossing the sandy expanse of the inlet and its intermittent banks covered in seashells.  In the middle of the estuary, [[Awaroa River (Tasman)|Awaroa River]] meanders its way out to sea.  It is generally shallow and can easily be crossed, but may be impassable following very heavy rain.<ref name="DOC_Track_Guide">{{Cite web |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/abel-tasman-track-guide.pdf |title=Abel Tasman Coast Track Guide |publisher=Department of Conservation |access-date=2016-02-11}}</ref>

[[Image:Totaranui Beach late afternoon.jpg|right|thumb|Overlooking Tōtaranui Beach from Skinner Point]]
North of Awaroa Bay the track crosses a low saddle to Waiharakeke Bay, briefly re-enters the forest, and then takes in Goat Bay.  At both Waiharakeke Bay and Goat Bay the path leads along the sandy beaches.  Between Goat Bay and Tōtaranui, the track climbs steeply to a lookout above Skinner Point with views north over the wide bay of Tōtaranui.

At Tōtaranui an 11&nbsp;km gravel road from Wainui Bay provides the only road access point to the Abel Tasman Coast Track, other than the start and end points of the track.  The flat land behind the golden sand beach accommodates a camping ground, car park, camp office with public toilets, telephone and drinking water supply, as well as campsites for walkers of the track.<ref name="DOC_Track_Guide" />

Due to Tōtaranui being the northernmost water taxi stop,<ref name="NZHerald" /> the track north of Tōtaranui is less frequented than the sections south of it, but no less scenic.  After climbing over another low saddle, the track takes in the sandy beaches of Anapai Bay, with rock stack formations at its northern end, Anatakapau Bay, and Mutton Cove – the latter two separated by cliffs with a small rocky cove in between.

[[Image:Anatakapau Bay and Mutton Cove.jpg|right|thumb|Anatakapau Bay and Mutton Cove]]
Between Anatakapau Bay and Mutton Cove, the Abel Tasman Coast Track veers west towards Whariwharangi Bay, with a side track continuing north to take in Separation Point.  A lighthouse at Separation Point overlooks the cliffs and a seal colony at this northernmost point of the track.  Walking via Separation Point adds one hour to the walking time.

Both the main track and the track via Separation Point continue to climb inland over the forested hills to the north-facing Whariwharangi Bay, where a restored farm homestead has been repurposed as the DOC hut, and additional campsites are provided.<ref name="DOC_Track_Guide" />

===Whariwharangi Bay to Wainui Bay===
The last section is the shortest, consisting of a 5.7&nbsp;km climb out of Whariwharangi Bay and over a saddle to Wainui Bay.  Once at the estuary's edge, the track follows the shoreline to a car park.  Wainui Inlet itself is not part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track anymore, but can be crossed within two hours either side of low tide.

Mountain biking is not permitted on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, however, from 1 May to 30 September, mountain bikers can ride on the Gibbs Hill track from Tōtaranui to Wainui Bay, with the last 1&nbsp;km of that track sharing the coastal track.<ref name="DOC_Trip_Sheet" />

== Location ==
{{geoGroup}}
{{PoI start}}
{{PoI|Mārahau|-40.9958|173.0051|NZ-TAS|Small settlement, DOC office, car park}}
{{PoI|Anchorage|-40.9568|173.0572|NZ-TAS|Hut &amp; campsite}}
{{PoI|Torrent Bay|-40.9461|173.0489|NZ-TAS|Campsite and private accommodation}}
{{PoI|Bark Bay|-40.9161|173.0486|NZ-TAS|Hut &amp; campsite}}
{{PoI|Onetahuti Bay|-40.885|173.048|NZ-TAS|Campsite}}
{{PoI|Awaroa Inlet|-40.862|173.019|NZ-TAS|Hut &amp; campsite}}
{{PoI|Tōtaranui|-40.8226|173.0047|NZ-TAS|Camping ground with road access and car park}}
{{PoI|Separation Point|-40.782|172.998|NZ-TAS|Side trip to seal colony}}
{{PoI|Whariwharangi Bay|-40.7865|172.975|NZ-TAS|Hut &amp; campsite}}
{{PoI|Wainui Inlet|-40.8095|172.9563|NZ-TAS|Road access and car park}}
{{PoI end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-tasman/golden-bay/abel-tasman-coast-track/ |title=Abel Tasman Coast Track |publisher=Department of Conservation}}
* {{YouTube|id=9K-yeAUzTYk|title="Abel Tasman Coast Track 3D Video: from Onetahuti to The Anchorage"}}
* {{YouTube|id=EyEoDGGe0Eo|title="Abel Tasman Coast Track 3D Video: from The Anchorage to Marahau"}}
{{coord|-40.9288|173.0486|display=title|region:NZ-TAS_dim:10000|name=Abel Tasman Coast Track - nominal location}}

{{NZ Great Walks}}
{{Tasman District}}

[[Category:Abel Tasman National Park|Coast Track]]
[[Category:Hiking and tramping tracks in the Tasman District]]
[[Category:Tasman Bay]]