The Abel Tasman Coast Track has four main entrances

Marahau is the southern gateway

It's 67 km from Nelson on sealed road providing access by water taxi, kayak, or walking

Wainui is the northern entrance

It's 128 km from Nelson and 21 km from Takaka. For the last 2 km, the road is unsealed providing access by walking

Totaranui

Totaranui is 160 km from Nelson and 32 km from Takaka providing access by walking and water taxi. The last 12 km of the road is unsealed but suitable for campervans.

Kaiteriteri

Kaiteriteri is 61 km from Nelson providing access by kayak or water taxi. Note: This is 7 km from the track entrance by walking and it is not advisable to walk this.

It is also possible to access Awaroa estuary on a road that is 31 km from Takaka. The last 12 km of road is rough, unsealed and prone to flooding. It is not recommended as an entrance to the Park.

Transport options

Abel Tasman Coast Track locality map

Most visitors only walk in one direction on the Coast Track and get a water taxi in the other direction.

There are commercial water taxis that operate between Marahau/Kaiteriteri and Totaranui. Water taxis are not permitted to go above Totaranui, so there is no service to Wainui or any of the Northern bays. Visitors travelling beyond Totaranui use the Gibbs Hill Track to make a loop in the Northern end of the Park.

You can make a 5–7 day circuit using the Abel Tasman Inland Track. However, the Inland Track is very steep, rough underfoot and does not have many viewpoints.

Water taxis operate year round and must be booked in advance. The scheduled water taxi pickup locations are Apple Tree Bay, Anchorage, Medlands Bay, Bark Bay, Tonga Quarry, Onetahuti, Awaroa and Totaranui.

Many of the water taxi and kayak companies have shuttle buses for their clients.

Vehicle parking

DOC provides a carpark at Marahau, Totaranui and Wainui road ends. Cars are parked at your own risk.

There is strictly no freedom camping.

Water taxi and kayak operators have their own private car parking for clients.