New Zealand is an Antipodean land which attracts lovers of vast spaces and wild nature. Though it is mostly mountainous, the country has a diverse range of landscapes and environments: icy summits, plains with mirror-like lakes, wild coastline licked by the Pacific waters... The nature here is absolutely majestic. And fortunately ecology takes pride of place here.

New Zealand, an intense natural paradise

A lively town, surrounded by dozens of volcanoes and black sand beaches.

Oceania

Welcome to the New Zealand travel pages. In this faraway country, you can expect a harmonious mixture of lakes, mountainous and volcanic landscapes, and tropical vegetation... New Zealand is isolated in the middle of the ocean and is located halfway between the South Pole and the Equator. Even though it’s small in area (about the size of the UK), it has extremely diverse flora and fauna. Nature lovers are in paradise here. But this paradise is earned: you’ll have to spend long hours on an airplane to get here, and you can count on having 10 to 12 hours of jet lag once you arrive, depending on the season... But this land, which the Maori first called “Aotearoa,” the land of the long white cloud, is really worth the trip: abundant and diverse nature, beautiful landscapes, and outdoor activities… It’s all convenient for travellers: one of the advantages of this destination is the small size of the country, which makes all this beauty accessible, starting from your first trip to New Zealand. Your hunger for the great outdoors and desire for peace and serenity will be satisfied.

New Zealand

Auckland

Sitting by a lake in a region steeped in Maori culture, this town is a hive of geothermal activity.

Rotorua

Taupo is a small, lively town best known for its lake, which bears the same name and is the largest in New Zealand.

Taupo

With three active volcanoes, the Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park is a must for any hiking fan or visitors interested in exploring a volcanic landscape.

Tongariro National Park

The smallest national park in New Zealand but one of the prettiest, nonetheless.  It's known for the famous Abel Tasman Coast Track,  a 50km hike that takes between three and five days to complete.

Abel Tasman National Park

Samoa

Fiji

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Middle East

I've been lucky enough to visit the Abel Tasman National Park twice and it's one of my favorite places in New Zealand. It's a picture postcard - lush forests, sandy beaches, crystal waters; as inviting as an island paradise even if the sea is a little cooler. If you want to go swimming, wait until the summer months. When I was last there, one October, I lacked the courage! I spent six days exploring the Abel Tasman Coast Track. This walk will suit anyone. It's relatively flat and there are a number of places to stop for a rest or swim. Parked up at the Totaranui campsite and using my van as my base, I had easy access to the track so could go out on day hikes. The other option is, of course, to do the trek from one end to the other. Starting at Marahau and finishing at Wainui, you'll find campsites and DOC hostels along the way. You can also tour the region by canoe.   I really enjoyed a little detour via Separation Point, where you can see colonies of seals. Be careful where you tread...I didn't notice and almost stepped on a seal that was dozing on a rock! An area you <a href="/new-zealand/">musn't miss out on, during a vacation in New Zealand</a>, particularly if, like me, you love hiking and heavenly beaches.

The smallest national park in New Zealand but one of the prettiest, nonetheless. It's known for the famous Abel Tasman Coast Track,  a 50km hike that takes between three and five days to complete.

After a tortuous drive from Nelson to Motueka, arriving in the Abel Tasman area is paradise for nature lovers. Most of all, Abel Tasman Park is beaches of golden sand and turquoise water as far as the eye can see. I went kayaking there, and this is an excellent way to explore the coast. Depending on how much time you have, you can get out at one of the park's coves and walk to the following stop (usually a few hours) where a boat will pick you up. But the best thing to do is hike for 3 to 5 days to explore the whole park. And then if you want even more, Golden Bay is right next to the park, and it also has some wonderful sites to see.

Definitely the most beautiful park in my opinion, with lush greenery up to the edge of turquoise water. It's paradise for hikers and those who love sunbathing and swimming.

The best way to discover all of Abel Tasman National Park's attractions is to take the "great walk" connecting Marahau to Wainui Bay. This 55-kilometer trek along the coast led me from bay to bay, passing through lush forests and through passes, each of which seemed higher than the last (but don't worry, it's just how far you've walked that gives this impression!). Along the way, my nights were reserved in public campgrounds, each different than the last. One of them, sheltered under trees at the edge of a large yellow sand beach, only offered the bare minimum (tap and toilet), and had 5 tent sites. With my hike in the low tourist season, I was the only one in the place! How peaceful it was, and what a wonderful sight when I woke up! Upon arriving at Separation Point, the point at the end of Abel Tasman Bay, my first thought was of the rocky coast of Brittany. Taking advantage of the exceptional weather, many seals were relaxing on the rocks below, while others were performing pirouettes in the water.

Offering a number of hikes, Abel Tasman National Park will unveil unique views of its bays.

Abel Tasman National Park Vacations

Abel Tasman National Park: How to get there?

Abel Tasman National Park: See when to go ?

Abel Tasman National Park: For how long?

Abel Tasman National Park: What to see nearby?

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