Each summer, thousands of backpackers and other budget travelers flock to New Zealand for a number of reasons – the sun, the beaches, the hiking, or the jaw-dropping landscapes that New Zealand provides. Many of these travelers come to New Zealand to hike a ‘Great Walk’ – one of several tramping tracks 
found around the North and Sound Islands. Be it the Milford Track on the South Island, or the Tongariro Circuit on the North Island, these tracks are inexpensive and rewarding ways to travel New Zealand.
One of these Great Walks is the Abel Tasman Coastal Track which is located only an hours drive away from Nelson in the Abel Tasman National Park. The track takes you through dense rain forests with views of beautiful blue bays and tropical islands, across white sandy beaches, and provides an excellent opportunity to take in some fine, New Zealand views. From end to end, the Abel Tasman Coastal Track stretches 51km and can be completed in anywhere from 3 to 5 days, depending on your motivation and level of fitness.
If you’re short of time, without a tent, or perhaps questioning your level of physical fitness, here’s how to experience the best of Abel Tasman in a day.
Marahau is a small, wee settlement at the Southern end of the track – a long hours drive north of Nelson. Water Taxis leave daily from Marahau to various points along the Abel Tasman Track. Your best bet is to spend the night in Marahau and catch an early ferry up the coast the next morning. Operating out of Marahau Beach Camp, Marahau Water taxis will take you north to Bark Bay for $36 one-way.
Approximately an hours boat ride north, your water taxi driver does an excellent job of filling you in on a number of interesting points about Abel Tasman National 
Park and its history. From Bark Bay, you have a beautiful, 21km walk back south to Marahau. A relatively flat, gravel path allow hikers of all ages and abilities to take in the park’s scenery.
Don’t forget to bring your sunscreen – many sections of the track are unprotected from the strong, New Zealand sun. Additionally, don’t let the potential swarms of sandflies ruin your walk. While I didn’t encounter many, I can only imagine one of the beaches is named ‘Sandfly Beach’ for a reason. Lastly, if you do hope to spend a couple nights in the bush, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance. The few DOC (Department of Conservation) Huts fill up quickly – you’ll want to bring your tent as a last resort.
A terrific, budget-friendly day trip, you can experience Abel Tasman in a day for less than $50. Finish your day at The Fat Tui, a small food trailer tucked under some New Zealand palm trees. This little joint serves up some outstanding fish and chips and may produce one of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted. A well deserved meal after a beautiful days hike.
17 December 2009 at 7:50 am
Sounds like an awesome hike. I’ll do that and pass on the bungy jumping. Cold beer at The Fat Tui?
17 December 2009 at 10:00 am
I don’t know what’s wrong with us, but we didn’t love the Abel Tasman. We were really rushed that day because the ferry operator gave us exactly 2 hours to hike a 2 hour trail, so we were walking incredibly fast and didn’t get to see many sites, and then the trail we went on didn’t give us very good views of the beaches. I don’t know – it just didn’t do it for us.
And, sandflies, yuck! My least favorite part of New Zealand.
17 December 2009 at 1:38 pm
What part of the trail did you hike??
I can see being rushed taking away from the experience. With the entire day, I had time to walk down to the beaches, take the side trails, and … well not feel rushed!
Sandflies are the devil!
17 December 2009 at 9:17 pm
Sandflies…reminds me of the beach on our first trip to Costa Rica. Dad came home looking as if he had contracted a contagious disease – it took forever for the bites to heal and…no repellent seems to work.
18 December 2009 at 2:04 am
There’s one repellent that seems to get rid of the bloody flies, and that something called “Bushman’s Friend.” It is like 80% DEET (I kid you not.) It’ll burn through a watchband (I also kid you not), but it will also keep off the flies in Fiordland. Bleh.
Also, I’m so glad you got to explore the Abel Tasman! They have some of the best tramping in New Zealand, and not just because you can do the trails barefoot (if you have tough feet.
21 December 2009 at 9:30 pm
Matt
Happy 25th birthday!!!! Missed you at Elizabeth’s wedding, but after seeing your pics, you’ve got a great excuse. I know today is your bday in New Zealand although it was yesterday in the States: seems like time travel to me! I rarely (as your mom can confirm) go on line, but I must admit that this is pretty amazing. Your parents look great, they were very cute on the dance floor, and as always, it was great for me to see them. I thought Nicole was great & feel you 2 would be perfect to enter the “Amazing Race” a reality TV show in which the winners get a million bucks. Count me in for 10% if you decide to do this. I’m wishing you a wonderful day and upcoming year, & I loved seeing you in Oct. We love you Matt, I’ll speak for Billy too, as he’s in Fla. with his girlfriend at the moment. Happy Birthday!!! Love, Joy
21 December 2009 at 9:32 pm
God, I didn’t know my message gets to be pubic! Joy
23 December 2009 at 8:14 pm
Thanks, Joy!
18 May 2010 at 4:26 am
Matt, thanks for this report. I definitely want to go–and your ideas would make it more affordable for our family of five. But sandflies? Neither 80% Deet (ugh, I’m sure it causes cancer or something) or massive bites sounds fun (went that route in Hawaii once). Did you get bit? Or did you just avoid Sandfly Beach and do fine?
18 May 2010 at 11:40 am
Hi Lisa, doing a one day trek is definitely a budget friendly option that still gets you into Abel Tasman National Park. I highly recommend it.
To be honest, I don’t remember the sandflies being terrible during the actual hike. We camped the night before we walked, and they were certainly thick then. Will change with the weather and the season – if you’re there after a rain, you’re in trouble. I’m scared off by the Deet as well – they sell a lot of natural repellent which is pretty effective. Worth checking it out!
22 May 2010 at 3:20 am
This must be what you were talking about in my itchy and scratchy post of Lake Taupo Sunset
I felt warned by you and some other people about sandflies in NZ beaches and bushes, so I actually just bought an insect repellent!
I heard about this place a lot, so definitely I want to take a peak at it.
15 October 2010 at 1:55 am
Salut
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2 January 2011 at 5:16 am
Good blog. Will come again. Thanks