If you search for images of Abel Tasman National Park, you’ll see white sandy beaches, beautiful blue skies, crystal clear water. It looks idyllic. It was somewhere I was definitely looking forward to visiting on my route around the South Island of New Zealand in 2004; in fact, it was my last stop before flying up to Taupo to meet up with an old friend. I had once chance to visit, whatever the weather.
You don’t always get the picture postcard view, as my journal entry reflects, but I still had a great day exploring Abel Tasman.
I decided on an early start to enjoy a day exploring the wild beautiful beaches of Abel Tasman – unfortunately it didn’t stop raining all day – oh and the sea was pretty rough too.
The bus took me from Nelson to Kaiteriteri, then we joined the Wilson’s Experience boat (we had to go by launch put to the bigger boat). The boat then sailed up the coast – not much chance of a view, though we could see Split Apple Rock.
The boat was a mixture of a cruise and a taxi service to each of the bays. The boat took us to Torrent Bay – one group got off to walk back to Marahau. Another group stayed on board – deciding the seas were too rough for them to sail right up to Totaranui.
But I was going in the opposite direction – after wading to the shore from the launch, I started the walk up to Bark Bay, joining up with a couple from Georgia (USA); they were good walking companions on a good walk, despite the rain.
After a short climb the Abel Tasman Track follows the ridgeline inland for a while but does offer wonderful views down to the bays below, particularly Frenchmans Bay. It then drops down to the Falls River which you cross by means of a wonderful swing bridge. For anybody not afraid of heights this will be a highlight. The views down Falls River are marvellous with the water reflecting the greens of the native bush that grow right down to the water’s edge.
This is how the Abel Tasman Track Guide describes the first part of the route… I remember the swing bridge and captured the view of Falls River!
It took two hours with lots of stops – and we got soaked through.
Then we waited for the boat at Bark Bay for the long journey home.
It still hasn’t stopped raining.
The next day, the rain stopped, there were blue skies over the Tasman coast, but I was on my way out of town.
It would be great to go back – I checked and the same tour still runs. Maybe next year?
27 Hours In Twizel 
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