Day 30 Abel Tasman National Park

Day 30 Abel Tasman National Park

Today was a fantastic day – a stunning example of why we do these tours, reaching places that you wouldn’t know about or do on your own….

We drove the 20 minutes from Motueka to Marahau – the start of the stunning coastal walk around Abel Tasman National Park.  We followed the well-maintained path through forests and along cliffs and beaches for around 11km to Anchorage – a lovely cove, and like all of the park, only accessible on foot or by boat.  Along the way, Nicole pointed out various birds and plants…most notably the ‘honeydew’, a sweet liquid produced by insects that live in the black bark of beech trees.

 We had a short swim in the turquoise sea at Anchor Bay….it was very ‘fresh’….but not too bad once you were in….

After a picnic lunch on the beach…with unbelievably delicious blueberry and custard muffins for dessert, we were collected by a catamaran that sailed us for several hours around some of the nearby islands and coves….where New Zealand seals and cormorants sunned on the rocks – and sea kayakers were the only other people – 

dropping us off back at Marahau for the 20 minute drive back to our lovely hotel for a spa, dinner and a film...