This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Abel Tasman National Park.
Abel Tasman, one of New Zealand's National Parks, is situated in the north end of the South Island. This national park is worth a visit for the lovely beaches that you'll find along the coast. Abel Tasman is the smallest of all national parks in New Zealand, and is surrounded by the waters of Golden Bay in the west and south by the valleys of Takaka and Riwaka Rivers. The most famous walk in this national park is a fifty-five-kilometre walk that usually takes three days. You can use the few hostels in Abel Tasman to plan your route. This track follows the coastline and you should find some time to do kayaking (this is one of the best spots in New Zealand), and if possible try to go near Tonga Island, just in the end of the park, so you can see some pretty amazing animals in the wild -- seals and dolphins are easily spotted here.
To get to Abel Tasman National Park you have a few options, but the cheapest one seems to be catching a bus from Nelson, by a open-dated return ticket, or you can just go by car -- it's a short thirty-minute drive -- and park at the entrance of the national park.
Abel Tasman's hostels are nice and are a good relaxing spot after the long walks in the national park, although you can expect for them to be very expensive -- well above average prices in New Zealand. Try to book in advance and you might get some discounted prices. The hostels in Abel Tasman national park are perfect to get close to other backpackers and share part of the track.
Written by local enthusiast for Abel Tasman National Park hostels
CoffeeMarks
