Abel Tasman Coast Track: Complete Great Walk Guide
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is the Great Walk for people who want beaches instead of mountains. It runs 60 kilometres along the top of the South Island. You pass golden bays, coastal forest and clear green water. Water taxis serve many of the bays, so you can walk the whole track or just a section. This guide covers the route, huts, tides, booking and the best time to go.
Abel Tasman Coast Track at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Distance | 60 km one way, Mārahau to Wainui |
| Time | 3 to 5 days |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
| Accommodation | 4 huts and 18 campsites |
| Booking | Required all year |
| Region | Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson Tasman |
| Direction | Either way |
Where the Abel Tasman Coast Track Starts and Ends
The track has four main entrances. Mārahau in the south and Wainui in the north are the two ends. Tōtaranui and Awaroa sit between them, and both have car parks. You reach Tōtaranui by road from Takaka in Golden Bay.
Most walkers start at Mārahau. It is a short drive from Motueka, which sits north-west of Nelson. You can also walk from north to south. The direction matters mainly for tides, so check them before you decide.
Abel Tasman Coast Track Route, Day by Day
DOC splits the track into six sections. Most people walk it in four nights and use all four huts. Here is how that plan looks.
Day 1: Mārahau to Anchorage (12.4 km). The track starts with a walkway over a tidal inlet. It then follows the coast through forest and past campsites at Coquille Bay, Apple Tree Bay and Akersten Bay. Anchorage has a hut, a campsite and a wide beach.
Day 2: Anchorage to Bark Bay (11.5 km, or 8.4 km at low tide). First you reach Torrent Bay. At low tide you can cross the estuary and save time. Otherwise you take the longer all-tide track. Next the track crosses the Falls River swing bridge and drops to Bark Bay. The hut and campsite sit beside a sandy cove.
Day 3: Bark Bay to Awaroa (13.5 km). The track climbs over a saddle and returns to the coast at Tonga Quarry. Onetahuti Bay follows, and DOC says it has one of the longest beaches in the park. A lookout then gives you views over Awaroa Bay before you reach the hut.
Day 4: Awaroa to Whariwharangi Bay (about 17 km). This day starts with the tidal section to Tōtaranui (7.1 km). Then you walk another 9.8 km to Whariwharangi Bay. Because the first part depends on the tide, check your crossing time the night before.
Day 5: Whariwharangi Bay to Wainui (5.7 km). The last morning is short. Arrange a shuttle from Wainui before you start.
If you have less time, finish at Tōtaranui. You can also use a water taxi to skip sections.
Tidal Crossings on the Abel Tasman Coast Track
Two estuaries shape your plan. The Torrent Bay estuary has an all-tide alternative. DOC says you can cross it within two hours either side of low tide. The Awaroa section is different. DOC marks the walk between Awaroa and Tōtaranui as tidal, so the tide decides when you can go.
Follow these habits:
- Check the tide table when you book your huts.
- Check it again each morning.
- Leave early on days with a crossing.
- Never try to wade across at high tide.
Huts and Campsites on the Abel Tasman Coast Track
The track has four huts and 18 campsites. The huts are Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi Bay. Campsites include Akersten Bay, Onetahuti Bay and Anapai Bay.
The huts have bunks, but they do not have cooking facilities. So you need a stove, fuel and all your food. DOC charges fees per person per night, and New Zealand residents pay less than international visitors. You pay nothing to walk the track for the day or to enter the park.
In the 2025/26 season, DOC says huts on this track reached about 95 percent occupancy. However, campsites often had space left. So camping gives you more flexibility if the huts sell out.
How to Book the Abel Tasman Coast Track
You must book huts and campsites through DOC for every night, all year. DOC opened 2026/27 bookings for this track at 9:30 am on 14 May 2026. It released the Great Walks over several days and used a virtual queue. DOC usually announces the dates in March, so expect a similar pattern for 2027/28.
A few tips help:
- Book all your nights in one session.
- Look at midweek dates and the shoulder months.
- Add a campsite night if the huts are full.
- Check again for cancellations in the weeks before you travel.
You can book and read current alerts on the official DOC Abel Tasman Coast Track page.
Best Time to Walk the Abel Tasman Coast Track
The climate is mild, so walking is pleasant for much of the year. Summer, from December to February, is the busiest time. The beaches are warm, but the huts sell out first. March and April often bring settled weather and fewer people. November also works well. In winter the days are short and the weather is cooler. Bookings are still compulsory, however.
Our best time to visit New Zealand guide helps you match this walk to the rest of your trip.
Water Taxis, Kayaks and Shorter Walks
Water taxis make this track flexible. Scheduled pick-ups include Apple Tree Bay, Anchorage, Medlands Bay, Bark Bay, Tonga Quarry, Onetahuti, Awaroa and Tōtaranui. Torrent Bay is drop-off only. So you can walk one section and ride back.
You have other options too:
- Join the full-day Explore the Abel Tasman National Park trip.
- Combine the park with Golden Bay on the Golden Bay Guided Tour and Cruise.
- Browse our Abel Tasman day tours for cruises and kayaking.
- Add the Abel Tasman Inland Track to build a five to seven day circuit.
What to Pack
- A stove, gas and all your food
- A sleeping bag and a rain jacket
- Sun protection and insect repellent
- A water bottle and a printed tide table
- Footwear that handles sand and wet feet
Do not fly a drone. DOC does not allow drones over Abel Tasman National Park.
Pair the Abel Tasman Coast Track with Other Trips
The northern end of this walk sits close to Golden Bay, where the Heaphy Track starts. So the two Great Walks pair well on one South Island trip. Our Nelson Tasman activities page covers the wider region. For the Heaphy side, see our Golden Bay tours.
If you want mountains after the beaches, read our Routeburn Track guide or the Kepler Track guide. You can also compare every route in our New Zealand Great Walks overview.
Prefer someone else to handle the logistics? Browse our hiking tours or a small group tour. A South Island self-drive tour also works well.
Abel Tasman Coast Track FAQs
How long does the Abel Tasman Coast Track take?
Most walkers take three to five days to cover the 60 kilometres. Four nights in the huts is the standard plan.
Do you need to book the Abel Tasman Coast Track?
Yes. DOC requires bookings for huts and campsites all year round.
Can you walk part of the Abel Tasman Coast Track?
Yes. Water taxis stop at many bays. Day walks need no booking and no fee.
Is the Abel Tasman Coast Track hard?
The track is well formed, and the climbs are modest. However, the daily distances and the tidal crossings need planning.
Which direction is best?
Either direction works. Pick the one that suits the tides and your transport.