A trip to Kaiteriteri in the Abel Tasman National Park in the South Island of New Zealand is an adventure hotspot that you should not miss! With its gold sandy beaches, turquoise waters and countless outdoor activities, it’s an ideal nature getaway and makes a great stop on a longer New Zealand road trip.
If you are visiting nearby Marlborough, I highly recommend squeezing in a 2-day stint to Abel Tasman as part of your itinerary. Here, I share with you some of the best things to see and do in Abel Tasman, especially Kaiteriteri.
(Updated November 2024)
In my blog post about New Zealand’s best wine regions, I go into depth about this fantastic wine region and briefly mention how you get to the South Island.
A little recap – there are two ferries in Wellington, Bluebridge and Interislander, which both got regular schedules. The ride takes about 3 – 4 hours and brings you right into the sleepy little town of Picton.
The cruise through the Marlborough Sounds is a highlight alone! You pass an old whaling station and if not too cold or windy, sitting on top is just a great way to soak in the scenery.
How to get to Abel Tasman: Blenheim To Kaiteriteri
By car 2 hours 45 min – 180 km
The trip starts upon arrival in Picton. Here you will pick up your adventure rental car to make your way to Blenheim or to Abel Tasman. Before driving towards Abel Tasman, we spent a day in Blenheim and Marlborough to sample some of the area’s best wines! Nothing better than doing some vineyard hopping.
If you are short on time but still want to savor some unique New Zealand wine, I suggest booking a half-day Marlborough Wine Discovery Tour!
Coffee Stop in Nelson
From Blenheim, it’s roughly a 1 hour 30 drive to Nelson. You will pass through the cute little town of Havelock, which is famous for the greenlip mussles. Once in Nelson, you should so check out Pic’s Peanut Butter World! It’s free to visit but you need to register beforehand. I would have loved to go, but we didn’t know about it before…
However, Nelson makes a great stop for breakfast and coffee. One of their best coffee shops is ZUMO Coffee House. They got a huge variety of single-origin beans, a good selection of cabinet food and a relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Lunch Break In the Seaside Town Of Mapua
On the part from Nelson to Abel Tasman, we headed towards the seaside town of Mapua. The pictures looked promising and it didn’t disappoint. I wanted to try the green lip mussels, so we made a booking at the Apple Shed Kitchen & Bar. They got a lovely outside terrace with a view of the ocean. This place came highly recommended to complement our Abel Tasman itinerary and we’re so glad we went!
Kaiteriteri
Kaiteriteri’s natural beauty, access to the Abel Tasman National Park, and range of outdoor activities make it a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking relaxation, adventure, and immersion in New Zealand’s scenic wonders.
From Mapua, it is only another 45-minute drive to Kaiteriteri – the doorway to Abel Tasman.
Kaiteriteri Beach
The town of Kaiteriteri is a popular seaside resort town for many Kiwis in the summer. With golden beaches, waters that have that vibrant emerald colour and relaxed vibes – it’s easy to see why!
Kaiteriteri Beach also serves as the ideal starting point for everybody who considers going on a hike. If you’re up for pairing an adventurous day hike with a relaxing cruise, this small group hike & cruise Abel Tasman tour is perfect for you!
Anyways, Kaiteriteri got lots of activities to offer. The most famous thing to do is certainly to rent a kayak and discover hidden coves. Those trips can be guided or self-led. Either way, being on the sea gives you another perspective of the area’s beauty! Prices to rent a kayak start at 30 NZD.
Another very popular thing to do is go on a scenic 4-hour cruise along the coastline. They start at Kaiteriteri Beach and take you past the charming coves, the Split Apple Rock and Tonga Quarry.
You can also take a full-day Abel Tasman Cruise & Hike Tour to combine an active hike with a relaxed sail along the beautiful scenery. If you’re more keen to explore on your own, there are lots of different packages you can choose from. The operators of these Abel Tasman water taxis drop you off at some of the beaches up north ie. Anchor Beach and you walk back towards a pick-up point. Certainly, a fun thing to do if short on time. Priced here start at 97 NZD for a full day with Sea Shuttle.
Once we got there, we packed some beach essentials (literally those ones) and headed to Little Kaiteriteri Beach. When it’s low tide you can walk straight along the beach.
From there, you can walk about to one lovely lookout point. The sound of the cicadas are just mesmerizing – they were everywhere, sometimes even flying onto us! I had never actually seen one before, have you?
Kaka Point Lookout
For sunset, make sure you head up to Kaka Point Lookout. It’s basically on the other side of the bay, looking onto Kaiteriteri Beach. After a lovely walk up, you again will be surrounded by the most magnificent sound of the cicadas. It always makes me feel like I am in the Mediterranean – pure summer feels!
Also, I found this place to be the most photogenic place, especially if you are after those golden-hour sunset shots. It’s true, lighting is never better than just before sunset.
This place should be part of every itinerary when in Abel Tasman and the #1 place I’d go and shoot! So gorgeous!
Split Apple Rock
Start your day at another of Kaiteriteri’s must-visits: the Split Apple Rock. Hearing about it beforehand and seeing the pictures I knew I HAD to go.
The best way to experience Split Apple Rock is by kayak, paddleboard, or a relaxing cruise to make it a true adventure. I recommend booking this relaxing 6-hour catamaran cruise to make the most of your visit, with expert insights and a chance to explore nearby hidden coves and beaches.
The legend has it that two Maori gods were fighting over the possession of a large boulder. They then used their godlike strength to break it in half to settle the matter.
In the end, it has been named the Split Apple Rock. I do like the story and it sounded better than the scientific one. Either way, it’s such a unique natural thing AND it’s located on a beach that’s ideal to visit for sunrise.
For those images, we ventured off early morning, parked the car on Tokongawa Drive. Put it into Maps.Me for the exact directions.
From there it’s a nice 15 min walk down to the beach. Once there, it was just magical – we were the only ones, the water was calm and the sunrise was still in full swing. I’d so recommend coming early!
Kaiteriteri Lagoon
To get the famous shot, you have to time your visit with the tides. It has to be high tide for the lagoon to be fully there. I got up a tad too late but still got an awesome glimpse of the sunset. The sky was on fire!
From there I continued to the bridge and up the forest to change up the angle. The colour of the water is just something special, the contrast is unreal!
However, there is so much beauty around, just go off the beaten path and explore!
Marahau
From Kaiteriteri it’s only a short 20 min drive to Marahau, the gateway of the Abel Tasman National Park. As we were short on time, we decided to at least squeeze in a little 1.5-hour loop walk.
From Marahau we started the Abel Tasman Coast Track, the most people continue for another 50+ kilometres. The walk is easy, passing by many beaches, lagoons and lookouts.
We ended up at Coquille Bay, admired the crazy rock formations and soaked in all the calm nature vibes. Definitely worth a stint!
For an experience with like-minded travelers, consider booking a top-rated kayak rental or guided tour. These tours often include all the gear you’ll need and insider tips to ensure you don’t miss the park’s best-kept secrets!
Abel Tasman Accommodation
Choosing where to stay in Abel Tasman National Park depends ultimately on your preferences and itinerary.
Kaiteriteri Accommodation
Kaiteriteri is a bustling hub with easy access to Abel Tasman water taxis and a variety of accommodations and amenities. However, it can get crowded during peak seasons and may be pricier.
Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve is a great camping option right by Kaiteriteri Beach. If you plan your itinerary to Abel Tasman and want to go on a public holiday I’d highly encourage you to pre-book something!
For a more comfy stay, I recommend booking Kaiteriteri’s top-rated Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments which is located right by the sea. They have clean facilities, a little supermarket onsite, an ice cream shop and three eateries nearby.
Located in central Kaiteriteri, Kimi Ora Eco Resort offers a range of accommodation options, including chalets, apartments, and backpacker lodges. The resort features a wellness center with hot tubs, saunas, and massage services, as well as an on-site restaurant.
Marahau Accommodation
Marahau offers a quieter alternative as the gateway to Abel Tasman, though accommodation options may be more limited.
Kanuka Ridge Lodge is a charming retreat nestled in the heart of Marahau, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Offering comfortable accommodations surrounded by native bush and birdlife, the lodge provides a serene escape for nature lovers.
Nestled in Marahau, Abel Tasman Lodge provides comfortable and affordable accommodation just minutes from the national park entrance.
Abel Tasman National Park Accommodation
Located within the national park, Awaroa Lodge offers eco-friendly accommodation surrounded by native bush and pristine beaches. You can choose from comfortable lodge rooms or stylish eco-cottages, all with views of the surrounding landscape!
Check out all Abel Tasman Accommodation Options Here
Where To Eat and Drink in Kaiteriteri
The Mermaid’s Beach House Cafe
For breakfast, you just have to go and try The Mermaid’s Beach House Cafe. They had fantastic coffee and milk options such as Macadamia or Hazelnut! Yum!? Also, their smoothie bowls were delicious and filling!
Beached Whale
For dinner, we headed next door the Beached Whale restaurant. I wouldn’t say it was outstanding, but it was decent enough. It was really busy and to be fair, options in town are limited! For an afternoon drink with a view of the ocean, try Kai Restaurant & Bar. there is also one vegetarian place called The Views, as part of an Eco Resort.
If you have more time I’d suggest going on a few walks within the Abel Tasman National Park and exploring the surroundings! Safe travels!
Looking for more New Zealand Itineraries and Things to See & Do?
For the best adventure, head on this 10 day itinerary around the South Island of New Zealand.
If you’re a wine lover, check out The Complete New Zealand Wine Guide & Itinerary
For all my cover lovers, have a look at this coffee journey through Wellington.
If yoga is your thing, here I’ve compiled Wellington’s best yoga studios you have to try!
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