Blogs from Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 32

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park » Marahau February 15th 2007

Yesterday we travelled to the South Island, catching an early ferry to Picton. From there we went to Abel Tasman national park. It was quite a lot of travelling but we stopped off in the Marlborough vineyard area, at Hunters for some wine tasting. We are staying in Marahau which is at the south of Abel Tasman NP at Old Macdonalds Farm. This is a really cool place. There are loads of animals running about - lots of lamas and small birds. I hand-fed several ducks, chickens and a peacock(!) some of my chips! There are a lot of options for activities here but Shashi and I decided to sea Kayak. I haven't done it before so was excited but a bit scared as the guide seemed very professional and is ex-army so was super bossy ... read more

Abel Tasman!

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park » Marahau February 14th 2007

alisblueromance

So after the crazy skydiving adventure, I got to go to one of the top beach spots in the world (which I saw from 13,000 ft., yay skydiving), Abel Tasman. It's a crazy beach jungle area that is absolutely gorgeous. However, the adventure did not start well... PC2 split into two groups, one that was taking the hiking trail in and then sea kayaking out and then the other group went vice versa. My group was set to hike there, so we dropped off the kayakers at Abel Tasman Kayaks, only to find out that we had to go through a 4 hour safety course before we could leave; this was only made better once we met our instructor: a know-it-all douchebag who was so rude to us that 4 people out of our 9 person ... read more

Sleeping in a Teepee

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park » Marahau February 12th 2007

Keith Julie

First stop in the South Island was in Picton. Stayed at a beautiful Lodge. Keith was most excited about the TV in the room. Drove to Marahau where we stayed. Had a wonderful fish and chips dinner right on the ocean (great view). From there we went to a campground where the only accomodation that was available was a Teepee (literally). Next day we took a water taxi to Bark Bay. It was great, they took us around each Bay before Bark's and gave us some background information on each. I loved the boat operator's accent (Keith enjoyed trying to mimick the accent). The water taxi ride lasted about an hour and was pretty exciting as they went fast over the crashing waves. So we started our day hike, which took us about 6 hours. Near ... read more

Abel Tasman Coastal Track

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park » Marahau February 12th 2007

Me and Rich Catch up

Benje

After the Queen Charlotte track I travelled to Nelson. Nelson is a really cool place. It has a nice relaxed feel about it yet it also looks like it can be quite an active place too. In Nelson I met up with my friend Richard from home to start travelling with him. He'd been in Te Anau, right at the bottom of the South Island where he'd been working as a Tour Guide in the Glow Worm caves for 6 months, a pretty cool job but he was getting tired of it i think. Richard owned a car so it was great for me as I miss my car so much from home I was allowed to drive - we agreed we can take turns. Afte a few nights in Nelson we went to Marahau to ... read more

Horses are dangerous when it comes to towels

ABEL TASMEN WALK

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park February 11th 2007

DAY BEFORE WALK

richierich78

WELL LEFT WORK ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND DROVE FOR A FULL DAY TO MEET UP WITH MY MATE BEN FROM HOME, WHO HAD RECENTLY TRAVELLED TO THE SOUTH. ONE OF THE FIRST ACTIVITIES WAS TO TO DO A TRAMP OR HIKE ABOUT 53KM ALONG AN AMAZING LENGTH OF COASTLINE. ... read more

Abel Tasman - in de voetstappen van a dutch globetrotter

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park February 11th 2007

Lochmara lodge aan zee

Laura Groeneveld

Hey allemaal! Zit nu al drie nachten op (echt waar) 'old mc donalds farm' aan de rand van het Abel Tasman park, echt mooi hier!! Maar voordat ik daarmee begin... Vanaf Picton ben ik eerst met de watertaxi naar lochmara lodge in de Marlborough sounds gevaren, echt een paradijsje daar! Stralend weer, prachtige lodge aan het water, groot stuk land, bos, wandelpaadjes op het terrein, veeel hangmatten... en zelfs dieren... biggetjes, schapen, salamanders, en possums- die zijn echt lief!! En ze willen ze uitroeien in NZ!! (komen uit aussie en zijn hier een plaag) En niet te vergeten kunst, overal! Ook veel stonecarvings, sculpturen en gezichten gecarfd in de bomen daar. Dat was gemaakt in speciale bomen, punga bomen, dus werden het punga people! Ohja en er was nog een glowworm alley! Echt supermooi, superveel oplichtende ... read more

NZ is the most beautiful country in the world...

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park February 7th 2007

Me and Jo

Keester

Although I haven't traveled yet to many other countries- I can't imagine a place more beautiful than New Zealand- throughout the WHOLE country! Mountains and rivers and oceans- just everything- I think this country is a nature lover's paradise! When I was in Taupo I met a Finish guy named Jo- and we decided to rent a car together- for 20 days to tour the south island. My first week and half was great in the North Island- but without your own transportation here it's difficult to get around- it's expensive and you get caught in the touristy route- staying at hostels and doing all the special features they have- that also cost a lot- but with a car- you can go where you want whenever you want- So the decision didn't seem so bold at ... read more

South Island

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park February 6th 2007

Crossing to South Island

surfeye

Nelson - Motueka - Abel Tasman - West Coast - After a very windy ferry crossing, we arrived in Picton with the rain slashing down. However we had our route planned to start off with we headed towards Nelson, stopping just outside in Tahuna at a fabulous campsite which although the pitch was a bit damp, it had stopped raining and the facilities here were excellent. Even in the rain our initial taste of the scenery in South Island was awesome!! The following day we continued our drive towards Abel Tasman, and stayed at a litle town about 15km from there called Motueka. The scenery on the way just blew us away, the sun now shinning and although no surf on this coast, the beaches were stunning. Ruby Bay, on the way to Motueka, very stoney, ... read more

Sea Kayaking Abel Tasman

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park February 3rd 2007

Building up our biceps

SharkStalker

31/01/07 - 02/02/07 Abel Tasman National Park After a long day’s coach journey from Christchurch via the Kaikoura coast and Blenheim, we stayed over in the picturesque town of Nelson and enjoyed a bottle of the local Nelson Sauvignon Blanc. An early start, as usual with these tours!! We were picked up at 06:10 and headed from Nelson over to Marahau where we packed up our tents, sleeping packs, thermarests, clothes, food and cooking equipment. It was amazing to see how all our gear fitted into the waterproofed hatches of our boats. We paddled off in perfect conditions; crystal clear waters and perfect blue skies. ‘Brochure kayaking’ as our guide, Wade, named it. We paddled into glassy smooth lagoons, where the rain forest reached the ocean To even out our body muscles, we did a fair ... read more

We Love New Zealand

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park January 31st 2007

So beautiful it almost hurts!

Will and Alex

Along the Northern edge of South Island, facing North Island, is the very special Abel Tasman National Park - the best way to explore this beautiful, sunny part of New Zealand is by sea kayak... Various outfitters in the Park's gateway towns, Motueka and Marahau, rent out kayaks, tents, and everything else you could possibly need for a kayak-in, camp-overnight and walk-back trip. On a trip full to the brim with highlights, this was...a highlight!... read more

Beaching the kayak for a break and a swim

Brief history of New Zealand

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year...more history

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