Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand's smallest national park honors the country's first pakeha visitor, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who sailed these waters in 1642. A memorial overlooking Ligar Bay commemorates the site where he anchored.
The town of Takaka contains several motels and motor camps, convenient for visitors making a day trip into Abel Tasman National Park. You'll find the park information office in Takaka (open daily during the summer holidays); there's a visitor center at Totaranui Beach.
Park information is available from the chief ranger in Takaka (P.O. Box 53; phone Takaka 58026) or from the ranger in Motueka (phone Motueka 78110).
Takaka to the coast. The 33 km/20 mile route from Takaka to the beach at Totaranui is the only access road into the park. Along the way you'll spot good beaches at Pohara, Ligar Bay, and Tata. Adjacent to Pohara Beach are a campground and recreational facilities.
| The first 11 km/7 miles of the road from Takaka to the park are paved, but the surfacing ends at Tata Beach. The winding, graded road (not recommended for vans) soon begins to climb into the forested hills. Spreading tree ferns rising above you shade the road; streams cascade
down gullies toward the bay. Trails wind through the park's primeval rain forest and along the shore.
At Totaranui, bush covered headlands frame the golden sand beach and deep blue bay. Here you'll find a small campground and the visitor center, which features displays on the park's vegetation, sea and land birds, and other natural features.
Guided treks. Three and four day group treks depart from Motueka from the beginning of February to midDecember. Winter days in this area are usually calm, crisp, and clear.
After a short coach trip to Kaiteriteri, the group boards a launch and cruises north along the coast to Tonga Bay, where the first day's walk begins. Heavy packs are left on board the launch. After tea, hikers turn south and follow the shore to a lodge at Torrent Bay, where hot showers and comfortable beds await them. Next day, guides offer a choice of shorter walks or other activitiesfishing, boating, or snorkeling. (Four day trekkers spend
another day at the lodge.) On the final day, the group hikes down the coast to Marahau and returns to Motueka by coach. The trips are operated by Abel Tasman National Park Enterprises, Green Tree Road, R.D. 3, Motueka, Nelson.
Day cruises. From late December through March, launch trips depart from Kaiteriteri daily at 10 A.M. for a scenic 6 hour cruise along the coast. The launch makes brief stops at several bays to deliver supplies to campers and isolated cottages; tides permitting, it also journeys up the forest rimmed Falls River. During a 2and half hour stopover at Torrent Bay, you have a chance to explore a small corner of the park.
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