Short answer: The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a Great Walk in Abel Tasman National Park, between Marahau in the south and Wainui in the north. It has four huts and 18 campsites, and bookings are open for 2026/27. Water taxis reach the southern half, and tides shape the day. Explera DMC New Zealand plans huts, water taxis and guides for groups.
This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators who sell Nelson Tasman. Most visitors walk only part of the track, but a multi-night walk needs hut bookings, a tide plan and water taxis booked in advance.
What is the Abel Tasman Coast Track?
- Route. Marahau is the southern gateway and Wainui the northern entrance. The sections DOC lists add up to about 60 km.
- Huts. Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi Bay.
- Campsites. There are 18 campsites along the track.
- Getting there. Marahau is 67 km from Nelson on a sealed road.
What do groups need to book?
- All year. Huts and campsites must be booked in advance all year. Without a valid booking, walkers can be charged a penalty or turned away.
- Fees. For international visitors from 1 October to 30 April, DOC lists NZ$84 a night for an adult in a hut and NZ$42 for a child aged 0 to 17. Campsites are NZ$31 for an adult. Fees are lower in winter. Confirm fees at booking.
- Night limits. From 1 October to 30 April a walker can stay a maximum of two nights at each hut or campsite. Tōtaranui allows one night all year.
- Facilities. The huts have no gas for cooking or lighting, so groups carry a stove, fuel and lights. Water must be boiled before drinking.
How do the tides and water taxis work?
- Awaroa Inlet. This crossing has no alternative track. DOC says to cross only in daylight, from 1.5 hours before to 2 hours after low tide, and to allow about 25 minutes.
- Torrent Bay and Bark Bay. Both estuaries can be crossed within 2 hours either side of low tide, and both have an all-tide track.
- Water taxis. They run all year between Marahau or Kaiteriteri and Totaranui, not north of Totaranui, and must be booked in advance.
- Our plan. We set each day's walking around the tide table and book the water taxis for drop-off, pick-up and luggage.
Who is the Abel Tasman right for?
- Most walking groups. The track follows the coast and suits groups who want a Great Walk without an alpine pass.
- Part of the track. Groups with less time walk one or two sections with a water taxi each way.
- School groups. DOC allows school groups to book only at specified campsites, with up to 40 young people per site per night.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan Great Walks and guided walking and cruises and water experiences for travel agents and tour operators. See our Abel Tasman and Nelson pages, our Abel Tasman and Nelson Tasman briefing, our booking lead times briefing and our Great Walks booking guide.
FAQ
How many huts are on the Abel Tasman Coast Track? Four: Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi Bay. There are also 18 campsites.
Do groups need to book outside summer? Yes. Huts and campsites must be booked in advance all year.
How much is a hut night for international visitors? DOC lists NZ$84 for an adult and NZ$42 for a child from 1 October to 30 April.
When can walkers cross the Awaroa Inlet? In daylight, from 1.5 hours before to 2 hours after low tide. There is no alternative track.
Do water taxis serve the whole track? No. They run between Marahau or Kaiteriteri and Totaranui, not north of Totaranui.
Sources
- Abel Tasman Coast Track, Department of Conservation, checked 27 October 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
