What you'll do
Te Waipounamu (the South Island) is impossibly high on so many people's bucket lists. Although it's small compared to other places around the world, it's incredibly diverse. On your trip, you can expect to find everything from coves and secluded bays to ancient golden-sand beaches and snowy mountain peaks.
This is the four-week South Island itinerary I dream about. I have travelled across the island four times and done extensive research to bring you what I'd consider to be the ultimate South Island itinerary.
I’ll share the best time to visit the island, how to get around, my favourite hiking trails, experiences you cannot miss, and everything you need to know to make the most of your time in this part of Aotearoa.
I hope you have the most incredible time. I know you'll love it here as much as I do x
Day 1
Today you’ll drive from Picton to Abel Tasman National Park. Although it’s the smallest national park in New Zealand, it’s bursting with things to do and you could easily spend a week or more exploring all of the beaches and bays.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a week to spare on this trip. However, if you had extra time, you could hike the full Abel Tasman Track (one of New Zealand’s Great Walks), head deeper into the park, and spend more time at Wharariki Beach and Farewell Spit.
Abel Tasman National Park
park
Golden beaches, crytal clear water and Great Walks
Abel Tasman National Park is a little slice of paradise at the top of the South Island. It may be New Zealand's smallest national park, but it’s packed with golden beaches, crystal-clear waters, and native forests that give it the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure.
What is there to do in Abel Tasman National Park?
You could easily spend weeks lounging around on sun-drenched beaches, paddling through turquoise waters in a kayak, or hiking one of the most famous Great Walks in New Zealand - the Abel Tasman Coastal Track. This multi-day hike is a huge bucket-list dream for so many people, especially if you love the coastline, as there are stunning views and plenty of hidden beaches to stop at along the way.
But if you’re short on time, you can still experience some of its magic by doing shorter day walks along sections of the track.
You'll also find scenic boat cruises and water taxis, to kayaking tours and sailing catamarans. If you love wildlife, you’ll love it here, as there are plenty of opportunities to see seals, dolphins and little blue penguins up close.
When should you visit Abel Tasman National Park?
Summer is probably the most popular time to visit the national park, but I think the shoulder seasons are the best, particularly autumn. The weather is typically warm, crowds are smaller, and prices seem to be a little bit more budget-friendly. I know a lot of people visit Abel Tasman in the winter too, as it’s much warmer than further down the South Island.
Instead, leave Picton early in the morning and drive 2 hours around the coast to Nelson.
Nelson is a lovely town with endless cafes, natural beauty and the famous Pics Peanut Butter Factory. Drop by for a free tour, or keep driving 45 minutes to Kaiteriteri.
Nelson
area
Sun drenched city on the South Island
Even though it’s technically a city, Nelson feels more like a small village with old-town charm. It’s usually sunny, super laid-back, and one of the closest places to Abel Tasman National Park, which makes it a great base for exploring the region. You’ll find Nelson in Tasman Bay, at the top of the South Island. Like most of Aotearoa, this part of the country is seriously beautiful. If you’re travelling the South Island, it’s well worth the stop.
Getting to Nelson
Nelson is around 2 hours from Picton, 5.5 hours from Christchurch, or 6 hours from Wellington (including the Cook Strait Ferry). It’s also home to a small but busy airport just 10 minutes from the town centre, with regular flights to and from most major New Zealand cities.
Can I see Nelson in one day?
There’s enough to do in Nelson to keep you busy for a couple of days, but one day is enough to get a taste of what the city offers. You’ll get to relax, indulge in the cafe culture, and see some of the sights before moving to places like Abel Tasman National Park and Marlborough Sounds.
Kaiteriteri is a tiny little town at the southern edge of Abel Tasman National Park with more facilities, shops, and "civilisation" than some travellers may think.
Kaiteriteri Beach
beach
Golden sand and clear turquoise blue water
I first visited Kaiteriteri Beach when I was a child. Unfortunately, I was too engrossed in my sparkly pink Nintendo DS to appreciate its beauty. Now, though, I can recognise a good thing when I see one. This beach is a stunning part of Tasman, known for its soft golden sand, clear turquoise blue water, and relaxed vibe. It's the perfect place to spend a whole day swimming, picnicking and laughing with your loved ones.
It gets veeeerrrry popular here, especially in the summer. If you're planning a trip, I recommend arriving by 9 am at the latest to get to the car park. Otherwise, you're in for a long walk!
This part of New Zealand is equally beautiful, with endless coastline and crystal-clear turquoise water. But, most of Abel Tasman is not accessible by car, so you’ll need to book a water taxi or shuttle in advance.
You can get these from Kaiteriteri and Marahau and choose a one-way ticket or return journey. I’d recommend the one-way ticket there and do one of the beautiful day walks to return.
To give you an idea of prices, Wilson’s Abel Tasman offers water taxis and cruises. The shortest water taxi trip from Kaiteriteri to Apple Tree Bay starts at about $45 one way. Or the furthest trip from Kaiteriteri to Totaranui is around $65-$70 one way.
Note: Although boats depart from Kaiteriteri and Marahau, book a water taxi from Kaiteriteri if you can because these boats will also stop at Split Apple Rock for photos!
Split Apple Rock
photospot
Iconic broken rock in Abel Tasman National Park
Tokangawhā/Split Apple Rock is a giant granite boulder at the top of the South Island and one of the most iconic and photographed sights in Abel Tasman National Park. As the name suggests, the rock looks like a halved apple, though some people have said it looks like a Pacman. I’ll leave it to you to decide!
According to Māori legend, two gods fought over the rock and used their strength to split it in half, which is why the Māori name Tokangawhā means "burst open rock". On the other hand, geologists say it was likely cracked due to a natural phenomenon known as “ice wedging” during an ice age over 120 million years ago. Either way, it’s a sight worth seeing while you’re in the national park.
How to get there
To visit Tokangawhā, head to the end of Tokongawa Drive which is around 5 minutes from Kaiteriteri. There’s a small carpark and a well-formed track that leads you through native bush and down to the beach. Alternatively, you can rent kayaks in Kaiteriteri or see the boulder from one of the many water taxi transfers that will shuttle you to larger walking tracks around the park.
Wilsons Abel Tasman
tours
The best way to explore Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is drop-dead gorgeous; it’s hard to believe it’s real! There’s something for every kind of traveller. But, some people don’t realise that most of Abel Tasman is not accessible by car. You’ll need to book a water taxi or shuttle to get in, out and around the park. These usually run from Kaiteriteri and Marahau, and you can choose between one-way or return journeys depending on your plans.
Wilson's is one of the best tour companies in Abel Tasman, helping you to get around and see the best of the national park on your terms! They offer scenic cruises, guided kayaking adventures, and support booking multi-day walking experiences.
They also offer lodge stays, bundle packages, and a really reliable water taxi service. Their boats are larger than some other water taxis in the park and have bathrooms (always a bonus when you’re out on the water for a while!)
How to get there
The easiest way to access the park is by heading to Marahau or Kaiteriteri which are small beach towns near the southern entrance. They're about a 1-hour drive from Nelson and 25 minutes from Motueka. There’s no public transport in the park, but once you’re there, you can catch a water taxi or join a tour to explore.
Book a water taxi to drop you off at Anchorage ($74 return) and then do the Te Pukatea Bay Walk from Anchorage Bay. This stunning 1.5 hour walk on the Pitt Head Loop will take you to Te Pukatea Bay via a native fern forest.
If you’d like something more challenging, the Awaroa to Medlands Walk (4 hours), Medlands to Anchorage via Cleopatra’s Pool and Falls River Swing Bridge (4 hours) or Medlands to Apple Tree Bay (5-6 hours) are lovely options too.
If you have a few extra days to spare (and are good at planning), you could spend your time in Abel Tasman by hiking the coastal track. This 3 night, 4 day track covers the best sights in the area. It’s a huge bucket list experience for many people! Because it’s one of the easiest Great Walks, you could hike it in 2 nights, 3 days, especially if you have experience hiking or reasonably fit.
Te Pukatea Bay Walk (Pit Head Loop Trail)
campsite
Incredible day walk and campsite
Te Pukatea Bay Walk/Pit Head Loop Trail is a gorgeous short track in Abel Tasman National Park and the best day walk in the whole park.
It’s the perfect option to say you’ve really “seen” the park without committing to the 3-night, 4-day Great Walk! Although short, the track boasts stunning views of golden beaches, native bush, and the turquoise water Abel Tasman is famous for!
Track overview
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 3.5km
Time: 1-1.5 hours
This trail has very little elevation gain, which makes it a really good option for everyone, including families with small children. On your walk, you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping coastal views before reaching Te Pukatea Bay, a secluded, crescent-shaped beach that will feel like your own private island.
How to get there
To get here, you can either take a water taxi from Kaiteriteri or Marahau to Anchorage Beach (the best option for day visitors) or hike there from Marahau, though that takes around 3-4 hours one way. The water taxi is very easy to catch and leaves multiple times per day. Cruises take around 45 minutes each way and cost $99 return, which includes the Environmental Access Fee (EAF) to help preserve the park.
Staying in the area
If you'd like to stay at Te Pukatea Bay, there is a campsite right on the beachfront along the Abel Tasman Coast Track. It has stunning views, is super peaceful, and is the perfect place to unwind.
I HIGHLY recommend booking as soon as possible because there are only seven spaces at the campsite. A night here costs $19 for NZ residents or $28 for international visitors.
After your adventure, return to Kaiteriteri, grab some dinner or a takeaway and watch the sunset from the viewpoint on the northern end of town, off to the right as you make your way out towards Marahau. This viewpoint has gorgeous views out over Kaiteriteri Beach.
If you’d prefer to go out for dinner, there are a few restaurants in Kaiteriteri and Marahau. Hooked on Marahau has stunning sea views.
Abel Tasman Ocean View Chalets
hotel
Sustainable, family-owned accommodation
If there’s one thing Kiwis do well, it’s family-owned businesses. Abel Tasman Ocean View Chalets are tucked into native bush in Mārahau, right at the doorstep of Abel Tasman National Park. If you’re after somewhere quiet, comfortable, and close to nature, this place is gorgeous.
They were founded in 1993 by Robert and Konstanca Palzer. Today, they are run by their daughter Chris and her partner Jared, who are committed to sustainability and manaakitanga (hospitality).
Each chalet is cosy and has a beautiful view. They have complimentary toiletries, cookies, hot drinks, room service, laundry, and a buffet breakfast every morning. Plus, they offer free Wi-Fi. I recommend coming here to switch off and get away from the rest of the world. But if you’re like me and have taken on far too many projects (I love to be busy!), then I can’t think of a better place to work remotely.
How to get there
Mārahau is at the southern entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. If you’re driving from Nelson, it’ll take you about 1 hour. There’s no public transport to Marahau, so you’ll need your own car or campervan.