Abel Tasman National Park is incredible! The Coast Track begins at Marahau in Tinline Bay and ends at Wainui Bay in the far north part of the island. Hiking the entire track takes days (one way) – depending on the tide and how fast you walk.
There are backpacker “huts” at various points along the trail and you must be self-contained and carry everything (including all your trash) in and out. I don’t backpack so booked myself at a Marahau backpackers lodge and spent a few days hiking along the trail. You can hike in and back or take a water taxi one way. One day I took a water taxi to Torrent Bay and hiked back. The other I hiked in for about three hours and then returned retracing my steps. The hiking trail is not difficult and the beaches along the way are stunning side trips. The area is indescribably peaceful and beautiful.
It was low tide during my visit and the weather was hot and sunny one day and overcast the other and rained hard just as I reached the end of my hike. The new Zealand sun is scorching – so you must be very careful to wear sun screen – on cloudy and sunny days. Met some interesting people along the trail – Kiwis and those from other countries – and at the lodge. The time there was altogether inspiring and relaxing.
Next stop is through the Motueka Valley to St Arnaud, a beautiful alpine village and then I head south down the West Coast.