NewZealand - 2016 - 4Days/3Nights Trekking Abel Tasman

Lookout from a hilltop on our first day

Rain, rain rain! No wonder New Zealand is so green! Planning to have four days of sunshine for our first-ever multi-day hike, one thing we learned is that the weather is unpredictable! But how we loved every second of the trek! Maybe every minute...
There were occasions where our body cursed our brain for thinking it was easy.

72kms in 18hours walking time. Thats almost crossing our home country three times! Planning was easier than expected. Using the free maps from the Information Centers around New Zealand, and a quick search online, was all it took. You can either sleep in their designated huts, but we preferred to pitch up a tent (Cheaper). Also, we had to carry a small burner and gas to cook our own food, as no bbqs or burners are provided along the way. WE also had to carry our own water, and down forget your own water!

Planning!

Day#1
16.57kms - An overload of sun, gorgeous beaches, and breathtaking lookouts. Setting camp at the iconic Te Pukatea, we pitched up a tent right at the beach, and watched the sun set.

Te Pukatea Campsite

Sunset from our pitched up tent

Day#2
22.48kms - Starting off in great weather, walking along the beaches and past coves, weather took a toll and spent the rest of the day walking in the rain, and after arriving at our destination, oh the mission to put the tent up!

River Crossings

Day#3
22.70kms - Uphills, and downhills, rainforests and creeks. Not to mention the river crossing which we had to cross on low-tide. Sure it was low, but still reached up to our hips and turned our hands BLUE with the freezing cold water. Well, one of us almost died atleast...

Soaked

Day#4
9.45kms - Apart from the rain again, the views at the tip of the National Park were stunning! Viewing seals, we finally caught a water taxi back to the beginning (Marahau). More seal/pup viewings, dolphins circling the boat, and four days worth of walking just done in an hour. We felt privileged tramping in one of the seven great walks of New Zealand, a definite must, and a proper workout!

Sorry feet, you will be well treated after this!
2016_0926_091026_018.JPG!
Seperation Point - Seal spotting

Abel Tasman Diary
Day591
Quick Muesli for breakfast, and at 09:05 departed. 17kms towards the Aqua Taxi parking, and walked 1km towards the Entrance.
10:08 1km Started the Trek!
10:20 2.38km Porters Beach.
10:25 2.73km Sty's Lookout.
10:30 3.03km Porters Beach.
10:42 4.00km Tinline Bay.
11:43 7.53km Apple Tree Bay.
12:15 9.45km Stillwell Bay. Rested for 15mins.
13:35 13.85km Lookout.
14:05 15:45km Anchorage.
14:25 16:57km Te Pukatea Camp.
Pitching up the tent, we cooked our ready made Mac N Cheese Packet meal, searched for a Geocache, walked along the beach all to ourselves, then watched the sun set, and snuggled in the hard but comfy tent.

Day592
Watched the sun rise at 05:50, made some oats, and after putting
down the tent, we set off!
08:20 0km Departed Te Pukatea Campsite.
08:33 0.8km Pitt Head Lookout.
09:06 2.82km back to Anchorage.
10:10 6.95km Cleopatra's Pool.
10:32 8.32km Crossed Torrent Bay on low tide, but still got wet. Relaxed for twenty minutes, snacking on crackers, and waiting for our feet to dry and rest.
13:20 16.87km Arrived at Bark Bay Hut. Deciding to rest for an hour, we sheltered from the rain, and hit the road again for the last 5kms.
15:55 22.48km Finally our last stop for the day. Putting up the tent, we went to the shelter, met two german guys who kayaked almost the same route we walked, cooked some Carbonara Pasta, then after a good talk till around 19:30, then hit to bed.

Day593
Rain all night, however stopped just in time to put the tent away. Made some Porridge, and off we go on Day 3!
09:28 0km Departed Onetahuti Campsite.
12:25 9.25km River Crossing.
13:12 13.05km Goat Bay.
14:01 16.08km Totaranui Campsite. Rested for an hour, and continued our last 5kms to the campsite.
16:45 22.70km Mutton Cove Campsite. Beautiful but windy beach. Pitched the tent, cooked Creamy Bacon Pasta, and stayed in the tent to be protected against sandflies and rain.

Day594
09:35 0km Departed Campsite towards the tip of Abel Tasman.
10:00 1.35km Separation Point. Viewed seals.
10:40 2.85km Arrived back at the campsite, made some Porridge, pt the tent down, and at 11:35 set to to back.
12:08 5.40km small detour to Anapai Beach.
13:12 9.45km Arrived at our last stop - Totaranui Campsite. Total 71.21kms in 18hours.
15:02 Caught the Aquataxi back to Marahuti. Stopped along a bay to view seals and pups, and headed back.
16:00 After the boat being towed by a tractor, we drove back to Motueka, rain hasn't stopped. Back at the house, we unpacked all our stuff, put things to wash, and after finally sorting out all things, had Doria (our Maltese host) making us some Baked Penne (Imqarrun) and enjoyed some beer.

Abel Tasman Walk Map. Red spots are beginning and end. Green spots are Campsites

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