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Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park
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Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its golden beaches,
sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous
coast track.
At 22,530 hectares Abel
Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest national park. It was
established in 1942 and is located at the top of the South Island;
the nearest towns are Motueka, Takaka and Kaiteriteri. With its mild
climate, it is a good place to visit at any time of the year.
The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy
beaches, the fascinating rocky outcrops (mainly granite but with a
scattering of limestone and marble) and the rich, unmodified
estuaries. The landscape has been modified, perhaps more than in our
other national parks. |
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The vegetation cover varies and reflects a history of fires and land
clearance, but the forests are regenerating well especially in damp
gullies where a rich variety of plants can be found. Black beech
dominates the drier ridges.
The more common forest birds, like tui and bellbirds, can be seen
along with pukeko around the estuaries and wetlands. The park's
boundary excludes the estuaries and seabed but in 1993 the Tonga
Island Marine Reserve was created along one part of the Abel Tasman
coast. Like a national park, all life in the reserve is protected.
Getting There
At 22,530 hectares Abel Tasman is New Zealand's smallest national
park. It is located at the top of the South Island; the nearest
towns are Motueka, Takaka and Kaiteriteri.
Roads lead to Marahau and Totaranui at either end of the coastal
track (1.5 and 2.5 hours from Nelson) and provide access to the
inland track system.
There are regular and on-demand bus services to the park from local
towns and from Nelson as well as a launch and water taxi services.
The nearest Airport is
Takaka Airport
which is located around
30 km away and the airport is serve
by
Golden Bay Air.
Golden Bay Air offers
scheduled flights between
Takaka Airport
and Wellington up to 4 times a day in the summer and 1-2 times a day
(except Saturdays) in the winter.
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