Sunday, November 10th, 2013
Abel Tasman National Park is across Tasman Bay northwest of Nelson and is a popular holiday destination for trampers, campers and kayakers. We hadn't heard of it until about a week ago and thought it was worth a visit. We were not disappointed!
We were taken by shuttle (picked up at our hotel as usual!) about an hour up the coast to Kaiteriteri where we boarded a catamaran water taxi for a 2 and a half hour cruise along the coast as far as Totaranui, stopping to see fur seals and geographical points of interest, such as split apple rock pictured here, along the way.
On return, small groups of passengers were dropped off at various locations to embark on their chosen walks. We disembarked at Torrent Bay and were advised to be at our pickup location of Medlands Bay in just over 3 hours. Our forest walk was 7.5 km long with an estimated average walking time of two and a half hours, allowing for lunch and photo stops. The trail was well-marked, picturesque and easy walking - we had a wonderful time!
One of the attractions of tramping in New Zealand is that there is absolutely no risk of being injured by wildlife. There are no insects, reptiles or mammals that you need to be on the lookout for as there is in Australia or Canada.
We were collected by the water taxi and shuttle van as scheduled and back at out hotel in time for a shower and dinner.
It'd be great to come back for a week or two and see more of the Abel Tasman and Nelson.
It will take a while to settle back into Canadian life - what no insects - hard to believe!!
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