Another break from flying to explore a little bit of Abel Tasman National Park. The park, at the north end of South Island, is New Zealand's smallest, 237 square km. It is very popular due to the 60km-long Abel Tasman Coast Track along the eastern and northern areas of the park. Most people come here to either hike or go kayaking.
However, although Nelson is known as the "sunshine capital of New Zealand", we had low clouds and drizzle both days here. To avoid risking the camera equipment in a downpour, we simply took the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle water taxi to the remote Awaroa Lodge for lunch and then back to the park headquarters beach.
We still saw a fair amount of wildlife.
Southern black-backed gull (Karoro), Larus dominicanus
Redbilled (silver) gull (Tarapunga), Larus novaehollandiae
Weka (kelp hen, woodhen, woodrail), Gallirallus australis
Variable (black) oystercatcher (Toreapango), Haematopus unicolor
New Zealand fur seal (Kekeno), Arctocephalus forsteri
We had dinner and overnighted in Nelson.
Abel Tasman National Park:
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Last modified 19 February 2025