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 Cleopatra's 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 Cleopatra's 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 Cleopatra’s 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 Cleopatra’s 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
-
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 Cleopatra’s 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!