Abel Tasman National Park; New Zealand

Executive summary by darmansjah

Take time to experience the tranquillity and see more of Abel Tasman National Park with 2 nights at each Lodge along the 38km (24 miles) of forest-fringed coast.

Extra nights give you more opportunity to explore, unwind, take time to yourself, develop new friendships or reconnect with good friends and family. Relax by the sea or join the expeditions planned by your Guide to explore regions of the National Park many people don't get to see.

Abel Tasman National Park is a national park located at the north end of the South Island of New Zealand. It is named after Abel Tasman, who in 1642 became the first European explorer to sight New Zealand.

The park was founded in 1942, largely through the efforts of ornithologist and author Perrine Moncrieff to have land reserved for the purpose. Moncrieff served on the park board from 1943 to 1974

The park was opened on the 18 December 1942 to mark the 300th anniversary of his visit.

Those in attendance at the opening ceremony at Tarakohe included Charles van der Plas, as personal representative of the Netherland's Queen, Wilhelmina. The Queen was made Patron of the park.

The idea for the park had been under consideration since June 1938. The Crown set aside 37,622 acres, being 21,900 acres of proposed state forest, 14,354 acres of Crown land and 1,368 acres of other reserve land for the national park. The Golden Bay Cement Company donated the land where the memorial plaque was sited. The area's primary historic interest was the visit of Tasman in 1642, D'Uville in 1827, and the New Zealand Company ships Whitby, Will Witch, and Arrow in 1841. The site was also of significant botanical interest

With a coverage of only 225.3 km2 (87.0 sq mi), the park is the smallest of New Zealand's national parks. It consists of forested, hilly country to the north of the valleys of the Takaka and Riwaka Rivers, and is bounded to the north by the waters of Golden Bay and Tasman Bay.

Abel Tasman National Park does not extend beyond Mean High Water Mark on the adjacent coast. Between Mean High Water and Mean Low Water Springs, the beaches are gazetted as a Scenic Reserve, covering 7.74 km2 (2.99 sq mi) in total. The Tonga Island Marine Reserve adjoins part of the park

Access: Activities in adjoining coastal waters are TDC’s responsibility. These areas operate under separate regulations.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a popular tramping track which follows the coastline; while an inland route, the Abel Tasman Inland Track, is less frequented. Kayaking, camping and sightseeing are other activities carried out in the park.

The nearest large town is Motueka, 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the south.

In 2008 an extra 7.9 km2 (3.1 sq mi), including the formerly private land known as Hadfields Clearing, were added to the park