Abel Tasman​
We celebrated the Queen's Birthday weekend with a visit to Abel Tasman National Park. Its beautiful beaches and extensive network of trails attract a steady stream of visitors throughout the summer. We were hoping it would be warm enough for us to enjoy with lighter crowds during the winter holiday weekend.
We used Kaiteriteri, on the southern edge, as our launch point into the park. The following morning we packed up, grabbed some warm drinks and boarded the water taxi to shuttle us to the starting point of our tramp at Tonga Quarry. Provided we stayed on the trail, we would see the water taxi later in the afternoon to collect us at Medlands Beach.
We spent an hour or so exploring and playing at Tonga quarry beach with the resident Weka. Will was a big fan, until his new buddy grabbed his PB & J and made off with it into the bush. After the rest of us finished lunch, we were off on the trail.
A 1 and 1/2 hour hike would put us at Bark Bay. The path along the coast and through the native bushland was stunning with several ocean vistas, a few suspension bridges, and even a decent waterfall. Even with a kid riding on the back, it was one of those hikes that ended too soon.
Beautiful Bark Bay!
With plenty of time to spare, we were able to view some of the local wildlife and take in the solitude and serenity this natural beach had to offer. At least until someone dropped his cheese stick in the sand.
All too soon it was time to count children and pack up to catch our ride back to Kaiteriteri. From Bark Bay, we were only a 15-minute walk to Medlands Beach and our ride home.
One of our reasons for heading up to the top of the South Island over the holiday, was to revisit Wharariki Beach. With our days in NZ drawing to a close, we thought it would be symbolic to head back to one of our first and favorite places to visit. We also knew how to correctly pronounce it this time around.
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We were pleased to see a familiar face upon our arrival. Have fun with the sandy cheesestick.
The path down to the beach was now a familiar route and a good benchmark to how much the kids had grown over the past year. Just look at how big Jack is now.
We were able to catch a quick glimpse of a Fur Seal before he headed out to sea.
So much easier on the parents when the Beach Hut is already prebuilt. Lovely!
When walking back from the beach, it seemed like it was now time to start the process of preparing to leave a place we had grown to love. Our heads were abuzz contemplating life questions: Could we stay longer? Would we ever make it back to Wharariki? How would the kids adjust to returning home? How does a peacock communicate to a horse where to find the Cheerios?
Now in Takaka, we had easy access to the beaches and tramps along the northern-edge of Abel Tasman National Park.
Whether at the beach or heading out for a hike, around every corner, we seemed to be followed by the friendly Fantail and the colorful Pukeko. Two of New Zealand most gregarious birds.
Hike to Wainui Falls! A great day hike up a river valley where you eventually reach a lovely waterfall with a swimming hole below. Many fluttering fantails followed us along the path and a feral goat made an appearance as well.
Almost all six looking at the camera in unison. Almost.
