Abel Tasman Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Getting to the Abel Tasman region on the North Island is easy as various options are available.

You can fly into Nelson Airport (New Zealand's sixth busiest airport) and then drive the short 1 hour to reach Abel Tasman National Park.

You can also catch public transport to Abel Tasman by bus or drive as it's easily accessible by road.

The weather in Abel Tasman is excellent all year round, making it the perfect destination to travel to, regardless of the season.

Enjoying the highest annual sunshine from any other region in New Zealand, Abel Tasman has a moderate maritime climate with light showers in spring, warm summer days, mild autumn weather, and crisp winter mornings.

The weather in the Abel Tasman region is nice and fairly even throughout the year, so there's no wrong time to visit this stunning natural wonderland.

Spring and summer enjoy perfect weather for outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkelling, or hiking.

Winter has fewer crowds on the famous beaches and trails.

Autumn is also a great time to travel to Abel Tasman as the lush, green forests turn orange and brown, making for a spectacular view.

What to pack for Abel Tasman depends on what time of the year you travel and whether you'll be camping overnight.

The weather in Abel Tasman is usually sunny and warm, so packing t-shirts, shorts, and long pants is a must.

You'll most likely be doing a lot of hiking during your time in Abel Tasman, so pack comfortable walking/hiking shoes and a reusable drink bottle.

You should also pack a bathing suit if you intend to swim, as well as sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun's rays.

You can get from Nelson to Abel Tasman by either driving or catching public transport.

If you fly into Nelson, you can rent a car from Nelson Airport and make your way to Abel Tasman National Park, with the journey being just over an hour.

You can also catch public transport in the form of a bus or water taxi. This is a relatively cheap option, and a water taxi is a good way to see some of the park from the water before you even arrive.

There are many tracks to walk in Abel Tasman, from trails perfect for beginners to more challenging ones. Regardless of the track's difficulty, each one promises a spectacular view.

These are our picks of some of the best tracks to walk in the Abel Tasman: 

• Falls River Track
• Cleopatra's Pool 
• Coastal Track 
• Inland Track
• Marahau to Appletree Bay

You'll likely experience interrupted mobile/cell phone coverage throughout your time in Abel Tasman National Park, as service is limited.

You can find coverage on headlands, at high vantage points, or at various locations throughout the park, such as Anchorage Campground, Torrent Bay Lodge, Marahua Park Entrance, and Totaranui.

How much coverage you get will depend on your service provider. 

We are committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. We do our best to help you see the world, regardless of physical or mental limitations. 

We are always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.