Things to do in Tasman
33 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Tasman.
See and do
Swimming hole · Takaka
Te Waikoropupū Springs
Crystal-clear freshwater springs on an easy bush loop, among the clearest water ever measured.
- Beach
Beach · PupongaHidden gem
Wharariki Beach
Wild west coast beach with dunes, arch islands and caves, reached by a 20-minute farm walk.
- Swimming hole
Swimming hole · RiwakaHidden gem
Riuwaka Resurgence
A river that bursts from beneath Takaka Hill into a clear pool, a spiritual place for local iwi.
Beach · Kaiteriteri
Kaiteriteri Beach
The classic golden-sand beach at the southern edge of Abel Tasman, with water taxis and cafes.
Lake · St Arnaud
Lake Rotoiti
Alpine lake in the beech forest with short walks, a jetty and water taxis.
Walk · Tākaka
The Grove Scenic Reserve
Limestone blocks draped in rātā roots, with a lookout over Golden Bay.
- Lake
Lake · Cobb ValleyHidden gem
Cobb Reservoir
Remote alpine reservoir in Kahurangi, reached by a long gravel road up the Cobb Valley.
Viewpoint · Puponga
Cape Farewell
The northernmost tip of the South Island, with clifftop walks and a rugged windswept headland.
Waterfall · Wainui Bay
Wainui Falls
A 20-minute bush walk to a thundering 20 m waterfall at the northern edge of Abel Tasman.
Town · Takaka
Takaka village
Laid-back hub of Golden Bay with galleries, cafes and an arty, off-grid feel.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Takaka Hill
Takaka Hill Hawkes Lookout
Roadside lookout at the top of the Takaka Hill with views to Tasman Bay and out to the ranges.
- Cave
Cave · Takaka HillHidden gem
Harwoods Hole
A giant 176 m deep sinkhole reached by a bush walk on the Takaka Hill plateau.
- Town
Town · Māpua
Mapua Wharf
Waterfront village strip with fish and chips, ice cream, craft beer and a ferry to Rabbit Island.
Roadside oddity · Marahau
Split Apple Rock
A granite boulder split perfectly in half in the shallows, with a short walk to the viewpoint.
- Town
Town · Marahau
Marahau
Southern gateway to the Abel Tasman Coast Track, with a beach, cafes and water taxis.
Swimming hole · MotuekaHidden gem
Motueka Salt Water Baths
Historic seaside baths from the 1930s, a pool beside the sea, best at high tide.
- Walk
Walk · St Arnaud
Mount Robert Circuit
Day walk above Lake Rotoiti with lake and alpine views, best on a clear day.
- Lake
Lake · MurchisonHidden gem
Lake Rotoroa
The quieter, bigger sister to Lake Rotoiti, with a small campsite and a jetty.
- Walk
Walk · PūpongaHidden gem
Fossil Point
A beach walk from Triangle Flat to Fossil Point at the base of Farewell Spit.
Cave · Takaka Hill
Ngārua Caves
Guided tours through lit limestone caves, with moa bones and glow-worms near the summit of Takaka Hill.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Puponga
Farewell Spit lookout
Look out over the long curved sandspit that closes off Golden Bay, a major shorebird site.
Beach · Tata BeachHidden gem
Tata Beach
Calm, sheltered golden beach in Golden Bay, good for a swim or sunset picnic.
- Activity
Activity · Murchison
Buller Gorge Swingbridge
NZ's longest swing bridge crossing the Buller River with a zipline and jet-boat option.
Town · Collingwood
Collingwood
Last proper town before the cape, with a cafe stop, a beach and a very good fish and chip shop nearby.
- Beach
Beach · Pohara
Pohara Beach
Wide, easy sandy beach with a cafe and calm swimming close to the Abel Tasman road.
- Beach
Beach · PakawauHidden gem
Pakawau Beach
Empty sand and tidal flats near the end of the road, with big sunset skies.
- Beach
Beach · Māpua
Rabbit Island
Pine-forest island linked by a causeway, with long gently shelving swimming beaches.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Murchison
Maruia Falls
A wide waterfall created by the 1929 Murchison earthquake, a short walk off SH65.
Walk · Lake RotoroaHidden gem
Lake Rotoroa nature walk
A 25 minute loop through diverse forest on the lakeshore.
- Walk
Walk · MotuekaHidden gem
Motueka Sandspit
Flat coastal walk along a shingle spit with big shorebird flocks and Tasman Bay views.
Town · St Arnaud
St Arnaud village
Tiny alpine village with fuel, a cafe and the DOC visitor centre.
Town · Murchison
Murchison
Small river town between Nelson and the West Coast, with a museum and a good bakery stop.
- Walk
Walk · KaihokaHidden gem
Kaihoka Lakes
A 10 minute walk between two small lakes near the Golden Bay coast.
Food stops
- Pub
Pub · OnekakaHidden gem
Mussel Inn
Cult roadside pub brewing its own beers, with live music and hearty food.
- Café
Café · Takaka
Wholemeal Café
Takaka institution in the old 1910 theatre building, known for veggie food and ice cream.
- Pub
Pub · Upper MoutereHidden gem
The Moutere Inn
Garden pub said to be the oldest in New Zealand, near Nelson.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · TakakaHidden gem
The Dangerous Kitchen
Quirky Takaka eatery known for wood-fired pizza and a colourful, arty fit-out.
- Café
Café · MarahauHidden gem
The Park Cafe
The cafe at the Abel Tasman gateway, for hearty food before or after a walk.
Bakery · Wakefield
Wakefield Bakery
Busy highway bakery known for meat pies and sausage rolls on the road to Motueka.
Places to stay
Hut · WainuiHidden gem
Whariwharangi Hut
DOC Great Walk hut on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
- Glamping
Glamping · AwaroaHidden gem
Awaroa Glamping
Safari tents in native bush inside Abel Tasman, with a pizza-oven cafe.
Campground · Totaranui
Totaranui campground
Huge DOC campground behind golden beaches at the end of the Abel Tasman road. Book ahead.
- Campground
Campground · Port PupongaHidden gem
Farewell Gardens
Garden-style camp at the base of Farewell Spit, running on rainwater and solar.
- Campground
Campground · PuramahoiHidden gem
Hack Farm stay and camp
Working horse farm with camping, a farmhouse stay and rides to Paton's Rock beach.
- Campground
Campground · Paines FordHidden gem
Hangdog Camp
Family-run riverside camp with a swimming hole two minutes away and a climbing crowd.
Hut · Marahau
Anchorage Hut
DOC Great Walk hut on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Hut · Marahau
Bark Bay Hut
DOC Great Walk hut on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Hut · Awaroa
Awaroa Hut
DOC Great Walk hut on the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Hut · Collingwood
Brown Hut (Heaphy Track)
DOC Great Walk hut on the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park.
Hut · Collingwood
Perry Saddle Hut (Heaphy Track)
DOC Great Walk hut on the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park.
Hut · Collingwood
Gouland Downs Hut (Heaphy Track)
DOC Great Walk hut on the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park.
Hut · Collingwood
Saxon Hut (Heaphy Track)
DOC Great Walk hut on the Heaphy Track in Kahurangi National Park.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Marahau
Marahau Beach Camp
Classic camp next to the Abel Tasman trailhead, with a waterfront restaurant beside it.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Watering Cove Campsite
Walk-in or boat-in to this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Mosquito Bay Campsite
Reach this beachside campsite on the Abel Tasman Coast Track by private boat. There is no drive-in or walk-in access.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Te Pukatea Bay Campsite
Walk-in or boat-in to this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Observation Beach Campsite
Visit this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Torrent Bay Village Campsite
Walk-in to this campsite on the Torrent Bay Estuary to Bark Bay section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access. The campsite is not suitable for kayakers.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Coquille Bay Campsite
Walk-in or boat-in to this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access.
Backcountry camp · Kahurangi National Park
Aorere Shelter Campsite
This is a walk-in campsite on the Heaphy Track. On fine days following rain, Mt Taranaki can seen in the distance.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Waiharakeke Bay Campsite
Walk-in or boat-in to this campsite on the Waiharakeke to Whariwharangi section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Apple Tree Bay Campsite
Walk-in or boat-in to this beachside campsite on the Tinline to Anchorage section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive on access.
Backcountry camp · Abel Tasman National Park
Anapai Bay Campsite
Walk-in or boat-in to this beachside campsite on the Waiharakeke to Whariwharangi section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track. There is no drive-in access.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
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