Blogs from Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 38

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park July 27th 2006

My first full day in the south island was a truly special one. I explored Abel Tasman National Park, not by foot but by kayak. In the group there was only five of us, an Uncle and Nephew, some guy from dartford, me and the kayak guide. The kayaks were doubles so I paired off with Mr. Dartford. The day started by driving to one of the bays where we all boarded a water taxi with our kayaks and gear. The taxi took us a fair few bays north where we got out and then left again but this time in our kayaks. I sat in the front seat first of all, on the 'lookout for rocks'. It really didn't seem like we were in the sea at all, the water was just so calm. We ... read more

Hiking with seals and climbing on glaciers

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park July 6th 2006

Jeanette takes on the world

Well even though the trip from the north island to the south island took us from east to west it certainly seems a lot colder here. After departing the ferry Friday afternoon in Picton we drove west to Nelson, one of the major wine regions in the country. However no wine tasting for us. Unfortunately, that night we choose what was probably our worst hostel yet, in a creepy old house from a horror movie kind of way…it wasn’t awful but a little run down and a little dirty, plus it was supposed to have free internet but that wasn’t working. Saturday morning we got some information on the nearby Abel Tasman National Park, then we wandered around the city of Nelson and did a quick heritage walk before departing to Takaka where we would stay ... read more

Me And My Knife

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park June 9th 2006

Nelson

Leaving Picton we jumped back on the Stray Bus, just a couple of hours along the coast to Nelson. This was a strategic stop for the start of the WC. The weather wasn't too good, so amused ourselves with a wine tour. NZ vino is pretty good our favourite, Tres Hermanos from Te Mania. We then got lucky, friends of George's lived close by and offered us the use of a car! We met them at the Wearable Art Exhibition, the car turned out to be a 2 seater jeep! with a spot of improvisation we made a third towel seat. Mark at the wheel, George riding shotgun and me snoozing on the backpacks. Our next destination, Abel Tasman National Park and stayed at Old MacDonalds farm. Quickly upgrading from the Bunkhouse to the deluxe cabin. ... read more

I stayed dry! (for the most part)

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park May 29th 2006

Along the hike...

jesspeanut

Yay! I'm officially an experienced sea kayaker. Today was amazing...we drove to the tasman sea coast around nine and started with a four hour hike through all sorts of terrain--beachy and rainforesty with amazing views...all of these pics are from today. Our hike ended at the edge of the sea where there were big red kayaks waiting for us (complete with the token gorgeous instructer of course). We had to pile on all of this crazy gear so that we were all looking pretty sexy (see corresponding pic for reference) and then off we went! Me and Molly rode together so we didn't have to worry about the guys flipping us....but they did get pushing our rudder out of the water so we couldn't steer anywhere! Then they yelled nasty anti-vegetarian comments such as "eat a ... read more

a bad case of bus-lag...

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park May 27th 2006

a view of one the lakes at Nelson

jesspeanut

whew. we just checked into our hostel after a day of being on the bus. why does sitting on your butt wear you out so bad? we have papers due tomorrow so thats what i ought to be doing but i can't get motivated. i got in trouble last time for writing on the back of my paper (i blame that on you mom for making me environmentally aware) and i tried explaining to the professor that it was a contradiction to be taking a class titled 'sustaining human society in a natural environment' and be unnecessarily wasting so much paper. he wasn't amused. So...today we stopped on the coast and took a walk out to the ocean where there are these amazing rock outcroppings called "pancake rocks" because of the way they form in these ... read more

Abel Tasman

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park May 10th 2006

ice climbing

Biddy

Dear All, This week has been brilliant, we've been to the Franz Jospeh Glacier and went ice climbing. Which was great fun. We're in the Abel Taman at the mo and have been kayaking this morning. Truly beautiful!... read more

cabin fever!

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park May 3rd 2006

Abel Tasman - start of the track - weather looking grim

Princess Paddy and The Packhorse

HAPSY 2nd BIRSENDAY (as Spanner woud say) to Gracie-Mae - gutted we're missing her big day ! hope you all have a fab time! We're now in Picton, ready to board the ferry to the North Island in a few hours - carl's gone off to get his barnet cut (not that there's much left these days!) - so I could say all sorts !!!!!! but I won't - as you lot are doing a good enough job ! We spent yesterday in Abel Tasman national park - unfortunately the weather was a bit overcast again - but it was beautiful. You can walk or kayak the full track in about 3-4 days staying overnight in campsites etc. - we only had time for a 4hr walk along the first part of the track through coastal ... read more

one of the deserted coves - pity about the weather

Sunny South Island!

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park May 2nd 2006

Benica Blog

Well, KIND of sunny :) So, after a wonderful visit with Dean and his girlfriend Loren, we left rainy Napier but NOT without a funny story to tell...On our way to the Napier airport, mind you which is only 2 kilometers from Dean's house, Erica, yes I, made a wrong turn and having noticed that I was going the wrong way, started to pull to the side of the road to turn around. A rather large white VW van decided that, even though he recognized that we were lost, he could make it around us, going WAY too fast and not keeping the appropriate followinng distance. Anyhoo, to make a long story short, he hit us, pretty hard, on the right side of the car, the driver's side, making a few nice shiny dents as well ... read more

Kayaking In The Rain

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park April 26th 2006

Lunch

pummel

Take two for the Kayaking - and this time success! We didnt get to do the planned itinerary thanks to seas rough enough to have waves breaking over the roof of the water taxi - instead we did a longer, but more sheltered paddle all the way back to our start point. The weather was changeable, from drizzle to torrential rain with the odd bit of patchy sunshine. Our guide Carlos was very energetic, and his stories kept us inspired and amused (although certainly not educated). We paddled all morning along the rugged and beautiful coastline, stopping for lunch on a picturesque beach. Then in the afternoon we paddled back to Kaiteriteri, managing to catch some waves for Kayak surfing. I managed to find some huge mussels attached to a rock in one of the bays, ... read more

Some more sunshine and a stroll!

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park April 19th 2006

littleramwell

We had an early start this morning to drive to Westport but we first headed to Kaiteriteri and the Abel Tasman National Park. We had a few hours in the park and it was such a stunning day that a few of us chose to get the water taxi round the coast to Anchorage Bay. From there the stroll back to Apple Tree Bay was around 10km, to be picked up by the taxi again and returned to Kaiteriteri to meet the bus. It really was a gloriou day and the scenery is spectacular. The walk was great as it was very easy and relaxing but the views were breath taking. Having so much time allowed for several photo stops and plenty of pondering of life. Great to get out in the fresh air... The walk ... read more

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

Forum Topics for Abel Tasman National Park

Rakiura TrackPosts: 4

Pre-pay mobile phone SI...Posts: 9

Win one of two 24 Day A...Posts: 1

24 hours in AucklandPosts: 9

Christchurch (NZ) earth...Posts: 30

Best time of day???Posts: 2

Rental cars.....best ag...Posts: 2

TB Auckland (NZ) get-to...Posts: 15

Is there a more beautif...Posts: 5

Top 10Posts: 2

South Island Hidden Gem...Posts: 8