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New Zealand
> National Parks > Abel Tasman National Park
By Jessica Lloyd
New Zealand’s Smallest National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is located in
Golden Bay and the
Nelson area at the top of
the South Island and at 22,530 hectares, is New Zealand’s smallest National
Park. It is also the most changed national park in New Zealand, having been
settled by Europeans and copping the destruction that is traditionally left
in their wake. Despite the changes to the environment, this park is a
fantastic and beautiful area of this country. Just half an hour from
Motueka, with the towns Takaka and Kaiteriteri close by, the park is easily
accessible with all the facilities you may need to have great adventures.
Things to do in Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman Coast Track -
The great outdoors is what this place is about; sea kayaking, walking
tracks, mountain biking, bird watching and sailing. The park is famous for
the Coastal Track, which is 51km long and is classed as one of DOC’s Great
Walks. This track has bridged streams, but some crossings are tidal,
therefore can only be crossed within a few hours each side of the low tide. This track takes
between three and five days to finish, and takes you up and down hills,
along beaches, and expect to get wet getting on and off boats at different
stops. A reasonable level of fitness is required and if you are overnighting,
you will need warm clothes and camping gear/sleeping gear. There are no
bikes or horses allowed on this track.
Sea Kayaking
You can take a water taxi to beaches along the track, or have a sea kayak
adventure along the coast. It is well protected on most sides so is ideal
for kayaking (excepting just north of Onetahuti Bay because the coastline is
remote and unsheltered). If you haven’t kayaked before you may need an
experienced guide, but if you think you can keep it together with just your
friends there are kayak rentals . If overnighting
with kayaks, plan your trip carefully and use all the information and
environmental advice available so as to keep safe at all times.
Sky Sports
Sky diving, parachuting and scenic flights are all available for a cruise or
a terrifying thrill. If you fancy a fall from 13,000 feet above the ground
you couldn’t ask for a nicer place to spy from above, then land amongst.
Quad Bikes, Horses and Mountain Biking
Take a day trip on a four-wheeler, well-natured four-legged mammal or a
mountain bike. There are certain trails which are great for these activities
so speak to i-site and find suitable tracks and if you need, a tour
operator.
Hunting
Hunting is not allowed from the 3rd Monday in December after Waitangi Day
(or the weekend if it falls on a weekend). Dates are in newspapers.
Otherwise you may hunt only if you have a permit. The only dogs allowed in
the park are guide dogs and search and rescue dogs. Hunters who wish to take
dogs with them can apply for a dog permit.
Accommodation
There are four access points to the coast track, and information is
available online. There are eight huts in the park, and 20 campsites with
water and toilets. Four huts are along the Coast Track, and four inland.
Bookings are essential, book on the
DOC Website. There are also backpacker’s hostels, motels, and lodges in
the towns nearby, browse or search the
accommodation directory.
Wildlife
There are a number of native birds like tui and bellbirds, fantails, pigeons
and pukeko. A number of native bird species have disappeared, like the South
Island kokako around Torrent Bay. There are wading birds around the
estuaries, and offshore, gannets, terns and shags can be spotted. Little
blue penguins fish in the day, then burrow into the islands at night. New
Zealand fur seals live along the coast, and there is a large breeding colony
on Tonga Island. Seals are not always very friendly so keep your distance!
At least 20 metres is recommended. All plants, fish, shellfish, and animals
in the park are protected.
Bush
The bush is mostly black beech, hard beech, and manuka and as the earth
regenerates from numerous fires and extensive clearing, a large range of
other plants and trees are popping up.
The Waterways
There are 14 recorded species of native freshwater fish, including a
threatened species galaxiid. There are giant kokopu, and long-finned eels
which are on the decline. The rivers are tidal and go up and down with the
sea, and this provides many nutrients which feed fish, snails, worms and
crabs – bird food.
The Landscape
The granite (and some limestone and marble) rock formations are a signature
of this area, and are interesting to observe and investigate via kayak and
foot. Chemicals in the granite bedrock give the beaches and streambeds their
colour. The beaches are sandy and wide, making a very scenic and beautiful
national park. The estuaries are also an added extra though these are not
included in the park’s boundaries. The seabed is also excluded, but is
protected by the Tonga Island Marine Reserve which was put in place in 1993.
Despite the general infertility of granite soils, the forest is regenerating
nicely, and damp gullies provide a good base for the new forest.
Human History
Maori lived along the coast here at different intervals, mostly using it as
a passing-through point with the changing seasons, but some Maori settled
here permanently. When Dutchman Abel Tasman arrived in 1642, the Nati
Tumatakokiri tribe were living in the area. There was trouble (of course),
and four of Abel’s crew didn’t live to tell the tale. The ships soon left.
Europeans settled in the park in about 1855, and they logged, quarried, and
built ships and pastures, doing what they do best: ruining natural
landscapes and replacing them with ‘civilisation’. It was good for them for
a while, until the easy trees had all been felled and gorse took over their
carefully fired hills. There isn’t much left of what they started.
In 1942 the park, via campaigning, was made into a 15,000 hectare national
park and a petition resulted in it being named after Abel Tasman, the first
European explorer to land there.
Conclusion
Abel Tasman National Park is a great park to do the Coast Track, and play in
the forest and sea. It has beautiful beaches, interesting rocks and land
formations, and though humans have put their footprint on the landscape,
it’s all growing back without too much trouble. It’s a great place to visit
and provides many activities to keep you amused and thrilled.
For hut bookings and more info, see
DOC Website
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