Best Day Hikes
In the Abel Tasman
Which section of the Abel Tasman is the best day hike?
Our Recommended Day Hikes:
The Pitt Head Walk
Family Friendly Short Hikes
Get into the park to explore with the water taxi. Easy 1 hour walk with optional extra, or just muck around on one of the classic Abel Tasman beaches.
Learn MoreBark to Marahau
Best Full Day Hike
Water taxi into Bark Bay then journey back to Marahau. Usually 6-7 hours walk back. If you really want to push it, there are additional loop tracks such as going to Cleopatras Pools or the Pitt Head Loop which can add on another hour for each.
Learn MoreApple Tree Bay or Split Apple Rock
Short Trips
Apple Tree bay is about 1 hours walk into the Abel Tasman from Marahau, or the classic Split Apple Rock is just 10 min car ride, then a 10min walk down to the beach
Learn MoreBeaches & Bays
The Most Popular Hike
Water Taxi into Bark Bay and walk down over the Falls River Bridge and Cleopatras Pools to Anchorage for a Water Taxi back to Marahau
Learn MoreThe Family Friendly Short Hike
This was one of our most popular hikes in the 2021/22 summer for young families in the Abel Tasman. The quick highlights are Cleopatra’s Pools, a few good beaches and a wide variety of walking terrain.
The Pitt Head Return Trip
- Boat in to Torrent Bay at 9:30am. Boat out of Anchorage at 4:00pm
- Two to Three hours walk
- 4km with additional 3km walk optional
- Split Apple, Look for Seals, Torrent Bay, Cleopatra's Pools, Anchorage, Pitt Head Point
Quick Info
Take the first boat into Torrent Bay. On the way you will see Split Apple Rock and look for seals around Adele Island. From Torrent, short walk round to Anchorage. You can take a 30min detour up Torrent River to Cleopatras Pools. From here it is just another 20mins to Anchorage. You can spend the day at the beach.
The Anchorage Hut is well set up and they have drinking water and flushing toilets. If you feel like doing a bit more exercise the Pitt Head Loop is about 3km and takes ~1hr from Anchorage.
Select the Marahau – Pitt Head Trip to Anchorage below to book yourself in!
The Most Popular Hiking Day Trips
We always recommend you get the morning boats out into the Abel Tasman and walk out. That way you never need to be stressed about missing you ride out at the end of the day!
Best Full Day Trip
Bark Bay to Marahau
- Morning Boat in to Bark Bay
- 7 Hour Hike
- 24.2km before optional side track detours
- Split Apple, Look for Seals, Bark Bay, Falls River Swing Bridge, Torrent Bay, Anchorage Bay, Astrolabe Beaches
- Difficultly: Medium
Quick Info
Take the First Boat into Bark Bay. On the way you will see split Apple Rock and look for seals around Adele Island. The Bark Bay to Anchorage is a great walking section, with The Falls River Swing Bridge Highlight. It is one of the older sections of the bush, so bird life is coming back stronger.
You will walk right past Cleopatras Pools (30min detour) before reaching Anchorage. From here you are about 3.5 hours away from Marahau, so a great spot to have lunch. If you are really feeling up for it, there is the Pitt Head Detour, however this will make it a large day.
From Anchorage you climb up out of the valley, then hold the contour through the Astrolabe back to Marahau. The track offers several detours down to the Astrolabe Beach if you are looking for detours. Our favourites are Watering Cove and Apple Tree Bay.
As you are finishing the track across the Marahau Boardwalks you will see The Barn right there at the end of the Track. Just turn right and we are 100m up the road.
Select the Marahau to Bark Bay below to book yourself in!
Most Popular Trip
Beaches & Bays
- Morning Boat in to Bark Bay
- 3.5 Hour Hike
- 12km before optional side track detours
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Look for Seals, Torrent Bay, Anchorage Bay, Astrolabe Beaches
- Afternoon Boat from Anchorage to Marahau
- Difficultly: Easy
Quick Info
Take the First Boat into Bark Bay. On the way you will see split Apple Rock and look for seals around Adele Island. The Bark Bay to Anchorage is a great walking section, with The Falls River Swing Bridge Highlight. It is one of the older sections of the bush, so bird life is coming back stronger.
You will walk right past Cleopatras Pools (30min detour) before reaching Anchorage. From here you are about 3.5 hours away from Marahau, so a great spot to have lunch. If you are really feeling up for it, there is the Pitt Head Detour, however this will make it a large day.
Select the Marahau – Beaches and Bays Trip – to Bark below to book yourself in!
As the Abel Tasman’s closest Neighbour, we’ve had some time to explore it. Ask us for advice and recommendations before heading into the Park or when booking your stay. We’re passionate about this place and want you to make the most of your time here.
The Best Short Hiking Trips
Marahau is based in Sandy Bay, its a cool little town in a massive bay as such, it makes for good exploring in of itself, but especially when the tide is out. These are the two bays on either side of Sandy Bay.
Coquille Bay
On Foot
This is an easy stroll into the start of the Abel Tasman. You can depart The Barn, and the track will be 100m down the road. From here head into the park. You can take the track in, but we always like the stroll back along the beach exploring as you go!
Coquille is french for Shell, so make sure to have a good look around, find some caves and a few tree hanging on for dear life.
Split Apple Rock
Short Paddle and Beach Walk
A simple 10 min drive to Tokongawa Hill. Park you vehicle here, and then walk down to the beach, to find low tide caves and connections to the next bays. Can loose the sun early, so good for a morning/afternoon trip.
Family Kayaking Trip
Starts at 11am from Marahau, the family will paddle round the coast with a guide to check out the seals and birds from the water before landing on the beach for lunch. It’s then just an easy 20 min paddle to get back into Marahau. A great memory for the little ones.
The Best Adventuring Day Trips
Here are the most popular trips that we book in for our guests coming into The Abel Tasman. All of these are very simple to organise upon your checkin at The Barn.
We always recommend you get the morning boats out into the Abel Tasman and walk out. That way you never need to be stressed about missing you ride out at the end of the day!
Remote Coast - Kayaking Trip
- Morning Boat into Awaroa
- Full Day Guided Kayak Trip
- Split Apple, Look for Seals, Awaroa, Marine Reserve, Shag Harbour (Baby Seal Sanctuary), Tonga Island, Bark Bay
- Last Boat Out of Bark Bay
- Difficultly: Medium
- 2 Person Minimum
- Minimum Age is 13
- Lunch Included
Quick Info
An early pick up at The Barn at 8:15, followed by a comprehensive training session will have you ready for your kayak day out in the Abel Tasman.
The boat trip up is great for exploring the Park. You will go to the top of the Marine Reserve at Awaroa and kayak the whole length of the Reserve. The main highlights are Shag Harbour, Tonga Island, Onetahuti, Mosquito Bay and finally Bark Bay. From Bark, you will boat back to Marahau and get dropped off back at The Barn after an awesome day out.
Check out our full length post on the Remote Coast.
Select the Remote Coast Trip below to book yourself in!
Torrent River Canyon
- Morning Boat in to Torrent Bay
- 2hr hike to the Entry Point of the Torrent River
- Spend the afternoon Zip lining, Abseiling Rock Jumping, Swimming, Boulder Hopping down the Torrent River
- Split Apple, Look for Seals, Torrent Bay, Torrent River Canyon, Anchorage
- Difficultly: Medium to Hard
- Minimum Age is 18
- Lunch Included
Quick Info
You will be picked up early from The Barn by your guide for the day. Make sure you have your swimmers already on and ideally running shoes you are happy to get wet.
A boat trip up into the park will show you Split Apple Rock and Adele Island. Be on the lookout for a couple of seals sunbathing on the rocks.
Once you get dropped in, you will hike the inland route to the Torrent River Drop in point. From here the fun begins. Your expert guides will ensure that everyone has a great time as you Canyon your way down the Torrent River.
On completion you will get a ride out from Anchorage back to marahau and dropped back at The Barn for a nice Hot Shower! (bring a warm top for the ride home
Select the Torrent River Trip below to book yourself in!
Salty Swami's
@The Barn Food Truck
Now Open - Thurs -> Sunday 4pm till 8pm
After these wonderful Chefs toured India they are bringing a Veggie Indian cuisine to Marahau and the Abel Tasman. Will be serving 7 days a week from the 28th of December to the 7th of January!
Our Favourite Day Trips From a Range of Abel Tasman Activities
The Abel Tasman has a massive range of options of fun activities. Below is a selection of our favourite for you to choose! Check out the options below.
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Water Taxi
$26 – $130Summer Schedule (1st of Oct to 30th of April) - Click here for winter schedule...
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Water Taxi - Winter Schedule
$26 – $102Winter Schedule (1st of May - 30th of Sep). Click here for the summer schedule. Experience...
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Sky Dive
$329 – $749Enjoy New Zealand’s most scenic skydive experience! Located in central Motueka and boasting the country’s...
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Torrent River Canyoning
$295Get out there for a full-day Torrent River Canyoning experience. We jump into deep crystal...
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you if you have any questions or would like us to help book an awesome Abel Tasman Experience. We can fully book and organise day trip and over night trips in the Abel Tasman.
The Barn Cabins & Camping
- 14 Harvey Road, Marahau, Tasman, 7197
- 03 527 8043
- [email protected]
- Instagram @thebarncabinsandcamp
- Facebook @thebarncabinsandcamp
