The Abel Tasman Great Walk

- View points along the track -

The ferry over to the South Island this time meant a new beginning to our trip as we have got another whole island to explore and Steve didn't wait at all before he started booking the next multi-day tramp for us and it is now our current favourite :D The Abel Tasman Great Walk - The Great Walk that could be tailored to any fitness level, age, type of travel and much more. We were definitely impressed as soon as we got to the parking lot!

Day 1: Marahau to Anchorage Campsite

3.5 hrs 12.4km

Additional trip to Cleopatra pool 1.5 hr 7km

We started the walk and thought it was too good to be true as its such beautiful walk, good scenery of clear turquoise water with Adele and Fisherman islands in view most of the way. We got that without putting much effort in as the track was flat and easy. We had a quick snack and loo stop at Apple tree bay and thats when Ili was again yet impressed with the amenities provided. (toilet paper provided at the long drops!!)

After the nice and easy short walk we got to the beautiful beachfront Anchorage campsite that had flushable toilets, cold showers, charging ports, wifi (that we refuse to use throughout the track), picnic tables and filtered water. Talk about lush camping. At this point we are convinced that we signed up for a glamping trip rather than a hiking trip. We got there early enough to be able to get a prime spot behind trees with serene view of the beach.

- Anchorage Bay -

This hike was our first encounter of the Wekas, a flightless bird and is endemic to New Zealand. Which to us it just looks like a funny chicken; a notorious thief and will steal anything you leave unattended right before you. The doc ranger told us that passports, phones and wallets have been taken and it even hauled off a 1kg pack of sausages and a block of cheese. Beware of the cheeky Wekas!

- Stream on the way to Cleopatra Pool -

Day 2: Anchorage to Onetahuti campsite

5hrs 14.8km, 5 stops along way

Walk started with a short detour to the caves at the west end of Anchorage Bay. They had hundreds of boats name carved into rock that have anchored in the bay over the years. We woke up at 6am to time the walk so we could make it across the mud flats to Torrent Bay that saves an hour of hiking, which was only possible at low tide. Getting wet was unavoidable no matter how low of a tide it was when you crossed. We had to remove the boots to cross a stream. Torrent Bay was a cool little spot of private baches and we even had the privilege to talk to one of the owners and said their Bach had been there since 1940s and it was a hand down from the grandparents. So lucky for them!

- Ili leading the walk towards the caves-

Continued on and had a few uphill and downhill parts to the track through the forest with glimpses of the coastline below. We had a short break at Medlands beach and it was a quaint little spot, Bark Bay 10 mins later was much nicer. Bark's Bay reminded us of a place In Philippines (Kalangaman Island) with how it was a narrowing sandbar between two bodies of water and the campsite was on said sandbar! Pretty awesome location we'd say. We made our final haul and pushed onto Onetahuti Bay and it was a good few hills before we managed to make it there. The campsite is on a Marine reserve and the water is crystal clear hence why we booked it. We even brought our masks and snorkels just for this particular spot. Only downfall is that it rained all afternoon and night so we were confined to our tent and played a few games of Cluedo instead!

- Bark Bay -

Tip: If you don't feel like lugging your heavy backpacks throughout the track definitely get the luggage transfer for $18 per bag per drop, you can get your luggage transferred to any of the beaches up to Awaroa. We only found out about this from other trampers we met on the walk and was wondering how they had small day packs.

- Ili prepping lunch while a Weka lurks nearby at Onetahuti Campsite -

Day 3: Onetahuti to Awaroa Campsite

1hr 50mins 7.1km No stops

The rain carried on over night and finally ended in the early morning. We planned for sunrise and set the alarm for 6.30am but was too cloudy to see anything but at least the rain had subsided. High winds stirred up the bay and our chance of snorkelling in the marine reserve was set aside. On the positive side, we got an incredible 12 hrs of sleep that was much needed and had a nice chat with a local guy named Craig and traded travelling stories and sparked an old interest once again... Africa! Maybe when COVID is under control.

- Onetahuti Bay -

We started our hike just before noon and set out down the sands of Onetahuti Bay until the other end where a boardwalk snaked us through the marshland and we came upon the first hill of the day. It gave beautiful views looking back towards Onetahuti. As we found ourselves descending we knew there was most likely another incline ahead and to be honest Ili's shoulders were not happy with that. The incline persisted for about 30mins until reaching the peak and what an jaw dropping view of Awaroa Bay did we get. Like a mini version of the Whitsundays in Australia. We made it to the site, set camp had lunch and off to find a nice spot to have a swim, luckily the tide was high or else a long walk would be ahead of us to find some deep water. Steve rushed into the water and dove right in and ahhh what a relief it was, Ili managed to tip toe her way in after a few minutes and then realized how refreshing and warm the water was. We had a nice refreshing cold shower after our swim. With plenty of sunlight left we just sat back aired our stinky clothes out and read a few pages of our books. This is living!

- View of Awaroa from the track -

Day 4: Awaroa to Whariwharangi 7hrs 20mins 19km

Today was a big day. First of all we were up real early due to the low tide being early in the morning. At Awaroa inlet the only way to cross is within the gap of 1.5 hrs before and 2 hrs after low tide. We crossed 20mins prior to low tide and it still was up above our knees in certain streams. The morning was cold the water was even colder and by the time we made the 1 km crossing our feet were numb. We had skipped breakfast so about 1 hr into hiking we found a nice quiet campsite and had our warm coffee and tea and ate our meal.

- Steve hiking in his flipflops -

We had to journey on another 1.5 hrs and we passed by Totaranui, where our boat taxi will pick us up. It was after Totaranui that we saw the beautiful beaches of Anapai Bay and Mutton Cove, typical Abel Tasman style that we are used to now. So beautiful of a location in New Zealand and so very different. The trail had taken us up over the hills and down onto the beaches and now we were out onto the ridge line to view a few seals at Separation Point, they were pretty far off but it was still enjoyable seeing them swim in the water and clamber onto the rocks. We had enough of the day and could not wait to make it to Whariwharangi campsite and overcoming the ridge we came to the highest point on the track for us so far and what a view looking down to Mutton Cove!

At Whariwharangi campsite a small trail that was tree covered opened into a lovely grassy area and the sight of it was an amazing feeling, knowing we can shed our heavy packs eat some lunch and head back to the beach for some sunshine and a quick refreshing dip. And quick it was because it was not nearly as warm as Awaroa Inlet. We finished our day by having a nice spicy ramen dinner and reading our books. Maybe we will wake to see the stars later tonight. Last night I couldn't sleep for a bit so I decided to leave the warmth of my sleeping bag and check out the night sky, it was literally breath taking. The air was quite cold but the view was spectacular. In my luck of just 30mins staring at the sky Steve managed to see two meteors and a comet with a blazing trail... If we could only be so lucky tonight.

- Anapai Bay -

Day 5: Whariwharangi to Totaranui Bay (Boat pick up) 3 Hours

Five days is definitely our maximum amount off days to be tramping. As soon as we woke up all we could think about was the boat ride back to go see Rumbles. We even skipped the small loop towards Gibbs Hill and just went the same route we did yesterday. Saying that we are not even one for doing return tracks but in this case we didn't mind because it is Abel Tasman! Every single route is beautiful and so picturesque. Loved it and so wont do the five days again. Next time maybe will drive up and camp a couple of nights at the same campsite and just chill :D

- Both of us cheers-ing our dried apricot upon completion of the 5 days Abel Tasman Great Walk -

Bag weight to start:

Steve 21kg

Ili 16kg

Ending bag weight:

Steve 16kg

Ili 11kg

Our no store bought dehydrated meal plans:

Day 1

Lunch: egg salad sandwich with avocado

Dinner: rice and lentil butter chicken with broccoli and mushroom (20mins cooking time & lentils and pre-soaked rice & lentils)

Day 2 Breakfast: Egg salad sandwich with avocado

Lunch: Tuna and avocado wraps

Dinner: Couscous with chicken and carrot (15mins cooking time)

Day 3

Breakfast: Oatmeal with peanuts and dates

Lunch: Tuna and avo wraps

Dinner: Creamy pasta with salmon and carrot (cook time: 15mins ) 2 pot meal

Day 4

Breakfast: Oatmeal with dates and peanuts

Lunch: Tuna and Cheese wrap

Dinner: Spicy Ramen with seaweed and carrot (Cook time 20mins) 2 pot meal

Day 5

Breakfast: Oatmeal with dates and peanuts

Snacks

- Muesli Bar

- Dates

-Peanuts & Raisins

-Dried Apricots

-Apples (we brought two)