Abel Tasman National Park
"The north-west corner of the South Island"
The Abel Tasman National Park is primarily
coastal, though there is a maze of trails and walks
through the mountains of the park itself.
It's
the coastal walk that's the most popular -51km of walking
track with all streams bridged. Unfortunately the Abel
Tasman has been discovered by the backpacking world and
as a result can be crowded in summer, which somewhat
defeats the purpose if you are looking to get away from
it all.
Most
people can walk it in three to five days. Get more
information from the DoC website.
But there are other ways of seeing the coastline - particularly sea kayaking. Several operators offer guided or go-it-alone options ranging from one to four days.
Kaiteriteri Kayaks has been operating kayaking tours in the Abel Tasman National Park for nine years. Cymen Crick, the founder, is the longest serving of the current kayak company owners in the Abel Tasman area.
Ocean River Adventure Company Marahau Beach, RD 2, Motueka Ph 0800 Sea Kayak (732 529)
Southern Exposure Sea Kayaking, Sandy Bay, RD2, Motueka Ph 0800 NZKAYAK (695 292).
For something very different and uniquely New Zealand take a trip in a genuine Maori waka (carved canoe) with Abel Tasman Waka Tours. Learn about Maori culture while you paddle the waka along the coastline. Kai (lunch) provided.
While you're on the water, try seal swimming with Abel Tasman Seal Swims off Tonga Island midway along the park's shoreline. Marahau Valley Road, RD3 Motueka. Ph 0800-527-8136
But if you're short on time, or don't fancy canoes, take one of the launch cruises. The fastest is probably Bladerunner, a hydrofoil operated by Abel Tasman National Park Enterprises. Starts from Kaiteriteri at the south end of the park coastline and whizzes up to Tonga Island in about 25mins.
The same operator also offers a selection of day cruise options on a conventional launch. One of the options really gets it all together - a cruise-kayak-hydrofoil collation. Can be done as a day trip from Nelson or Motueka.
There are many other walks in the park ranging from easy 2-3 hour events to serious 2-3 day slogs for the experienced tramper.
Again ATNP Enterprises offers 2 to 8 days guided ecowalks.
Collingwood
If you want to get to the real .alt NZ head on further west to Collingwood and environs. Over the past 20 or 30 years there has been a steady trickle of lifestyle-seekers - many of them of European birth - settling here. The result is a cosmopolitan mix of folk. So long as you can take people as you find 'em you'll like the laid back atmosphere.
Amongst the local edibles try Golden Bay salami - home made on the farm that grows the beef.
A local fisherman also goes crabbing each day for paddle crabs. Most of them are flown to the restaurants of Auckland but you can also buy them locally.
The Heaphy Track
Further afield in the region is the Heaphy Track, in North West Nelson State Forest Park. A 3 to 5 day walk from near Collingwood to Karamea on the West Coast - but it can be a bit of a let-down if you've done the coastal walk first.
A lesser known, but in the opinion of many, a better walk, is the Wangapeka Track which starts south of Karamea on the West Coast. Takes five days - medium to hard tramp through river valleys and over passes. Information on all DoC tracks click here.
On your way to the Heaphy, stop off at Langford's Store - the last stop for GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts). But it's much more than that - this is a genuine, non-Disneyesque grocer's store the way they usta be 50 years ago.
This is a sanctuary wetland of international importance because of the abundance of the bird life here. Many migratory wading species - among them godwits, knots, Caspian terns, turnstones and curlews - spend the southern summer on the rich pickings of the vast salty marshlands. Access to the area is closely controlled and it is only possible to enter as part of an organised tour. There are two operators - Farewell Spit Safaris in 1946 started taking mail and supplies to the lighthouse keepers and their families and over the years more and more people have gone along for the ride. Initially they were going to see the lighthouse but now the emphasis is on the bird life and other eco-attractions. Farewell Spit Nature Tours also offer a tour including the Spit and a farm visit.
Another way of exploring the area is on horseback with Cape Farewell Horse Treks. They have a selection of treks from 1 1/2 hours to 4 hours. But if you really want to experience back-country adventure, take a 1 to 6 night trek down the northern end of the West Coast. This is a region rarely seen and traversed by visitors or locals. You'll stay in a variety of "accommodations" from tents to woolsheds. Not for the gin-and-tonic tourist, but high excitement for those who are into adventure travel. Contact Don or Gail on (03) 524-8031.
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All you need to know about a visit to the place where God set the contrast and colour and man hasn'nt fiddled with the dials.
What, hopefully, you'll get out of this mish-mash of peripatetic ramblings.
Background bumpf on the country.
Visas, customs, immigration, duty free shopping, and getting away from the airport. Bloody important if you don't want to be arrested on arrival.
Moving on . . . by road or rail, by air or by sea.
"nuff said.
What to see, what to do, and why to go there.
Diving, fishing, golf, rafting, sailing, skiing - and more.