Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park in New Zealand, but don't let its size fool you. This tiny national park is home to one of the 10 Great Walks of New Zealand, the Abel Tasman Track, which goes along the coastline of the northern tip of the South Island.
To complete the entire 60 km length of the Abel Tasman Track would take you from 3 to 5 days, but for those of you who are short on time, you can pick sections of the Abel Tasman Track and do them as day trips.
For this hiking guide, I will show you how to hike the Abel Tasman Track for a day, which section is the prettiest, and how to get to and from the Abel Tasman National Park. Without further ado, here is all the information you need for a one-day hike in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Abel Tasman Track Day Hike Map
Quick Summary
| 🌤️ Best time: | November-March |
| 🚘 Get around: | Hiking and Water Taxi |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 1 day |
| 💰 Cost: | From 119 NZD for the water taxi + hike package |
One Day Abel Tasman Itinerary
Motueka to Abel Tasman National Park
When I did this trip, AquaTaxi picked me up from my accommodation in Motueka at 9 AM and transferred me to Marahau before taking me into Abel Tasman National Park. The current version of this trip is called Heart of the Park, with AquaTaxi departures from Marahau/Kaiteriteri at 9 AM in summer and 9:30 AM in winter. For transport between Motueka and Marahau, AquaTaxi currently recommends arranging a separate transfer with The Better Bus.
As the speedboat rushes through Tasman Bay, you may be lucky enough to be greeted by a group of playful dolphins that often come and swim with the speedboat, welcoming travelers to their beautiful home of Abel Tasman National Park. What a way to start a day!
It should take about an hour before you are dropped off at the trailhead, which is Torrent Bay, where you disembark and begin your Abel Tasman hike. Since there is no pier or any facility for that matter, you will have to get off the boat in shallow water, so prepare to take your shoes off and walk in this freezing cold water to the beach.
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The Torrent Bay To Onetahuti Beach
Now that we have arrived at Torrent Bay, it's time to begin your journey in the Abel Tasman National Park. This section of the Abel Tasman Track is quite easy, with only a handful of small ups and downs.
AquaTaxi currently allows around 4 hours to walk from Torrent Bay to Onetahuti Beach. I personally completed it faster on my trip, but I would still plan around the official 4-hour walking time so you have enough time for photo stops, breaks, and your water-taxi connection.
With such an easy trail to hike, you won't have to rush through it, and you can be immersed in your surroundings, unlike any other hikes in New Zealand that require you to be active all the time.
That is what the Abel Tasman Track is for, in my opinion. The trail is made for us to leisurely enjoy the beauty of New Zealand's coastline. Along the trail, you will find many stunning spots that show just how beautiful Tasman Bay is.
The color of the sea here is ridiculously blue, as you can see here. I've seen my fair share of beautiful beaches, being born in Thailand and all, but I have never seen anything quite like this. The beaches here are stunning and empty! If it were Thailand, we would be commercializing the hell out of them.
The trail will take you along the coastline through the forest, where you will be crossing several suspension bridges. Like most other hiking trails in New Zealand, you can expect the trail to be in tiptop shape, which is also the case for the Abel Tasman Track.
After hiking along the coastline, you will arrive at Onetahuti Beach, where the water taxi will pick you up for the return journey. On my trip, I made the walk in about 2 hours and had plenty of time to relax on the beach, but the current Heart of the Park itinerary allows around 4 hours for the walk. Follow the pickup time on your booking rather than relying on my old 4 PM schedule.
Just off the coast from Onetahuti Beach, you will also be able to see Tonga Island, a small, isolated, uninhabited island standing in the middle of the blue-colored water of the Tasman Bay. The standalone island makes for quite an interesting subject for photography, don't you think?
If the sun is out, you can also relax and sunbathe or go for a swim while you wait for the AquaTaxi to come and pick you up. Be sure to cover yourself with insect repellent. The sandflies here are no joke, and the moment you stay still, they will swarm you like bees to a honey pot.
Abel Tasman National Park Back to Motueka
At your scheduled pickup time, the AquaTaxi boat will collect you from Onetahuti Beach and take you back to Marahau or Kaiteriteri. The current southbound timetable varies by season, so use the time shown on your booking. For me, they picked me up at 4 PM. Along the way, they might stop at a few beautiful sights, like this rock, to check out some stunning wildlife before continuing south.
Once you arrive back at Marahau or Kaiteriteri, continue to Motueka using the transfer you arranged for the day. AquaTaxi currently recommends The Better Bus for transport between Nelson, Motueka, and Marahau. And that is it for the one-day hike in Abel Tasman National Park.
Congratulations! You have finally completed your first Great Walk, well, a portion of it at least, and you can come back next time to do the entire thing when you have the time.
Where to Stay in Motueka?
When to Hike the Abel Tasman Track?
The best time to hike the Abel Tasman Track is in the summer months, beginning from November to March, when the weather is warmer. This allows you to enjoy the outdoors more, which is essential for a country as beautiful as New Zealand.
It will also get quite touristy, so if you want to avoid the crowds, I would recommend you visit the shoulder season instead, which is from September to November and March to May.
You will see considerably fewer travelers during this time, while most accommodations will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than if you visit during the summer.
How to Get to the Abel Tasman National Park?
The closest town to Abel Tasman National Park where you can base yourself is Motueka. For most international travelers, the simplest route is to fly into a major New Zealand gateway such as Auckland or Christchurch, then continue to Nelson before traveling overland to Motueka.
From the US: Direct flights operate between several US cities and Auckland, including major West Coast gateways, so you do not necessarily need to transit through another country.
From Europe: There are no nonstop flights from Europe to New Zealand. You will normally connect through a hub in Asia, the Middle East, North America, or Australia.
From Asia: Auckland has direct connections with a number of major Asian hubs, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Routes change seasonally, so compare the current schedules from your departure city.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Auckland to Motueka
By Air and Bus: Motueka has an airport, but it is only used for private aircraft. The closest commercial airport is Nelson, so you will have to fly there first.
Air New Zealand operates multiple nonstop flights between Auckland and Nelson each day, with a flight time of roughly 1 hour 25 minutes. Fares vary substantially by date; for late September 2026, Air New Zealand is showing one-way fares around 260 NZD, while lower advance fares are available on later dates. You can compare flights here.
Once you arrive in Nelson, you have a couple of public-transport options to Motueka. eBus Route 5 is a weekday express service between Nelson and Motueka. The full Nelson-Motueka trip crosses three fare zones and currently costs 6.63 NZD with a Bee Card or 9 NZD cash.
Go Bus Golden Bay, formerly Golden Bay Coachlines, also operates scheduled Nelson-Motueka-Takaka services on selected days. Its current Nelson-Motueka fare is 20 NZD, with the timetable showing the Nelson to Motueka leg at about one hour. Check the latest timetable for your travel day, especially if you arrive on a weekend.
The bus journey from Nelson to Motueka will take around 45 minutes and cost 15 NZD per person. You can check the bus schedule here or you can book the bus here.
Getting from Christchurch to Motueka
By Air and Bus: From Christchurch, you can fly nonstop to Nelson and then continue to Motueka using the bus options above. The flight takes roughly 55 minutes. As of late September 2026, Air New Zealand is showing one-way fares from around 145 NZD, with advance fares from 99 NZD on some later dates. You can compare flights here.
By Bus: You can also take the Intercity bus to Nelson, but you will have to transit in Blenheim, and the journey can take up to 8 hours and cost more than 100 NZD. Personally, I would just fly to Nelson as it is way faster and costs less.
If you are planning to travel longer in New Zealand via buses, I recommend getting the Flexipass where you can buy hours and travel any route in the country, depending on the bus duration. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money.
For more information about Flexipass, please visit the official Intercity Flexipass page here.
Getting from Motueka to Abel Tasman National Park
By AquaTaxi: Since we will be doing parts of the Abel Tasman Track, we will need a way to get dropped off and picked up at each end of the section. Thankfully, AquaTaxi provides a service to do just that and more.
The trip I did was previously called Seals and Sand. AquaTaxi now sells the same Torrent Bay to Onetahuti concept as its Heart of the Park trip. You take the water taxi to Torrent Bay, walk the coastal track for around 4 hours via the Falls River swing bridge, and meet the return water taxi at Onetahuti.
The one I did, and I highly recommend that you do, is the Seals and Sand package. They will drop you off at Torrent Bay, and you can walk along the coastline for about 4 hours. Afterward, they will pick you up at Onetahuti Beach.
What was great about taking the AquaTaxi for me was all the dolphins that came and played with us while we were on the boat. They will also stop at a few beautiful spots, like this rock formation, for you to take some photos.
As of 2026, AquaTaxi's Heart of the Park trip starts from 119 NZD and includes the water taxi fares. Summer departures are currently at 9 AM and winter departures at 9:30 AM from Marahau/Kaiteriteri. Transport between Motueka and Marahau is separate, so arrange that when you book.
Basically, they will handle all the logistics for you. All you have to do is prepare enough food and water and hike the trail. If you want to do other sections of the Abel Tasman Track, you can check out more on the AquaTaxi Website.
By Tours: There are also other organized tours you can take to explore Abel Tasman National Park. You can kayak along the coastline or skydive over Abel Tasman National Park. To browse for day trips and tours, you can click the link below:
How Long Does It Take to Do the Abel Tasman Track?
If you are planning to do the entire 60 km length of the Abel Tasman Track, it will take you from 3-5 days to complete it, depending on how many nights you want to spend by the beach.
For this itinerary, though, we will be focusing on one of the best sections you can do in a day. AquaTaxi currently estimates the Torrent Bay to Onetahuti walk at around 4 hours, plus about 45 minutes by water taxi to Torrent Bay and 1 hour 15 minutes for the return from Onetahuti. Allow a full day once transfers, boarding, and waiting time are included.
How Much Does It Cost To Do the Abel Tasman Track?
The Abel Tasman Coast Track itself is free to walk as a day hiker. For this particular Torrent Bay to Onetahuti itinerary, your main expense is the water taxi.
Water Taxi + Hike: AquaTaxi's current Heart of the Park trip starts from 119 NZD per person and includes the water taxi into Torrent Bay and back from Onetahuti.
Motueka-Marahau Transfer: This is now separate from the AquaTaxi package, so add the current transfer fare when booking if you are staying in Motueka.
Food: Bring your own lunch, snacks, and water for the day. There are no shops along this section of the track.
Activities: There is no separate national park entrance fee or day-hiking fee for this route.
Minimum Cost for the Day Hike: from 119 NZD per person, plus your transfer to/from Marahau, food, and accommodation in Motueka.
Is Abel Tasman Track Safe?
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is well-marked and signposted, and the Torrent Bay to Onetahuti section is suitable for reasonably fit day hikers. That said, DOC notes that some sections of the Coast Track can be steep, rough, or muddy, so treat it as a proper hiking trail rather than a guaranteed leisurely stroll.
Tides are important in Abel Tasman. The Torrent Bay estuary can only be crossed within 2 hours either side of low tide under normal conditions, but there is an all-tide track around the estuary. Farther north, Awaroa Inlet has a compulsory tidal crossing with no alternative track. For this Torrent Bay to Onetahuti itinerary, follow the marked all-tide route whenever necessary and check the latest DOC tide tables and track alerts before setting out.
Also carry sun protection and insect repellent, and do not rely on untreated water from huts or campsites. DOC advises boiling water from these sources before use. Cellphone reception can also be patchy inside the park, so keep your route and water-taxi details available offline.
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
Mobile data is widely available around New Zealand, although coverage can become patchy once you are inside Abel Tasman National Park. The main mobile networks include Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees.
Spark offers visitor-specific Travel Packs, with current options starting from 15 NZD for data-only or 29 NZD for a Travel SIM with data, calls, and texts. Spark also supports eSIM on compatible phones.
There are other options as well. Skinny, which uses Spark's network, currently offers a 24 NZD / 28-day travel plan with 2 GB, while One NZ and 2degrees have their own prepaid/travel options.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for the Abel Tasman Track?
You will be hiking through coastal forest and along exposed beaches, where conditions can change quickly even on a sunny day. Here are a few things you should prepare before hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track:
- Water Bottles: Bring enough drinking water for the day. DOC notes that water at huts and campsites is untreated and should be boiled before use, so I would not rely on filling up along the way. I always carry my 2-liter hydration pack, which makes it easy to stay hydrated while hiking.
- Sturdy Shoes: It is always a good idea to hike in sturdy shoes, even if the trail is as easy as this one. You will also have to get off the boat and walk in the water for a bit when you get on and off the AquaTaxi's boat, so a good trainer shoe where you can take it on and off quickly is recommended. Timberland Shoe is my go-to hiking boots in most situations.
- Layers: Abel Tasman is known for its sunny climate, but coastal weather can still change quickly and the wind can be strong along exposed sections. Bring a windbreaker or raincoat and an extra layer even on a warm day. Here are the jackets I recommend for the trip: fleece jacket and the orange Columbia outer-shell jacket.
- Lunch and snacks: You cannot buy any food anywhere on the trail, so be sure to prepare your breakfast and lunch the day before. Additionally, make sure to buy a lot of energy bars just in case you get hungry along the way.
- Insect Repellent: Sandflies are no joke here at Abel Tasman National Park, and the moment you stop to relax, they will swarm you like bees to a honey pot, and you will itch for weeks. Don't risk it; cover yourself with insect repellent when you are hiking.
- A Daypack: You will need a daypack to carry all your gear and those 2 - 3 liter water bottles, which are heavy as hell. During the hike, I use Herschel Supply's Little America Backpack to carry everything with me. It has great back support, good capacity, and is stylish as hell.
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3 Comments
I would really love to hear more specifics from your trip such as how much planning you did vs. free adventuring. As well as what your budget and expenses turned out to be for 5 weeks. I will be in New Zealand to tour in a couple months and the experience you appear to have had as I see it in your photos looks very similar to what I want to do.
I'm so enjoying your travels in NZ Pete. I first went there 10 years ago to visit my aunt and cousins who I went to school with in England. They settled first in Christchurch and now one cousin lives in Oxford NZ, another on the Banks Peninsula nr ChCh and my third cousin lives at Nelson. We stayed with them all and also toured the south island in a motorhome. And now we are going again mid October 2015. We are going for 6 weeks this time and travelling round in a motorhome for 19 days to see places we never had time to before. I've never forgotten our first holiday out there, lovely to see my family and always dreamt of going again. And now we are, I'm so excited. The only downer is the long plane journey from London, England where we live.
No direct flights from the US to AKL or CHC, huh? 🤔