Anchorage

Mārahau is the southern gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. To get to the beginning of Coast Track, follow the main (and only) road through Mārahau. A kilometre past the beachfront you’ll see signage indicating Abel Tasman Car Park on the right. There are toilets and an information kiosk with track information, tide timetables and warnings. Though it is large, the car park is often at full capacity during the summer months. Coast Track between Mārahau and Anchorage is one of the busiest walking tracks in New Zealand.

Several commercial operators provide water taxi services to Anchorage, which allows the option to walk just one way and take a water taxi on the other leg.

Coast Track begins by crossing the tidal marsh of Sandy Bay via a causeway. At the other side the track officially enters Abel Tasman National Park, and heads through regenerating native bush along the coast. There are several access points to Porters Beach along here. After 30 min you’ll reach Tinline Bay campsite, where a short loop walk, Tinline Nature Walk, begins from behind the campsite. The track climbs gently and soon Inland Track branches on the left (Castle Rocks Hut is 4-5 hr away).

The surrounding bush transitions to original native, and Coast Track continues north along the coast, weaving in and out of lush gullies about 30 m above the water’s edge. Occasional gaps in the trees provide views out to Adele Island and Fisherman Island, both located a kilometre away across Astrolabe Roadstead. Along the way you will pass the turnoffs to Coquille Bay, Apple Tree Bay, Stilwell Bay and Akersten Bay.

After the turnoff to Observation Beach Campsite, the track deviates slightly further inland into the gully of Observation Creek. You will pass the turnoff that allows you to bypass Anchorage and continue straight to Torrent Bay and Bark Bay. The hillside here is covered in patchy scrub, with invasive wattle dominating in places. Gaps provide open views north over Rakauroa/Torrent Bay. You’ll pass the turnoff to Watering Cove Campsite, and then the track descends down into The Anchorage, skirting the edge of a coastal lagoon and then heading along the beachfront to Anchorage Hut.

Anchorage Hut is positioned just back from the beach amid native trees. The large, modern hut has a large-windowed kitchen and dining area, with a deck and picnic tables outside. The sleeping area is split across four separate bunk rooms. Filtered drinking water and flush toilets are also provided. The adjacent campsite has capacity for 50 tents, and has its own cooking shelter and flush toilets. A full-time DOC warden also lives on site.

Water taxis provide pickup and drop-off services to the beach immediately outside the hut.

Te Pukatea Bay and Pitt Head can be visited as a loop walk from Anchorage Hut. The track begins on the far side of the campsite from the hut, and heads into regenerating kanuka forest. You’ll reach the junction of the loop track, which can be done in either direction. Head right to drop down to Te Pukatea Bay, where there is a campsite. The track continues beyond the campsite to Pitt Head, where there’s a lookout, before returning to the junction. Allow 1 hour for the loop walk back to Anchorage Hut.

Cleopatra’s Pool is a natural pool in the Torrent River, which flows into Torrent Bay Estuary. From Anchorage Hut, head west along the beach to the end and climb to the forested saddle. Turn left at the track junction here and follow the high tide route around the edge of Torrent Estuary. Turn left at the signposted turnoff, just after the bridge over Torrent River. Cleopatra’s Pool is at the end of the track.

Allow 2 hours for a return trip to Cleopatra’s Pool from Anchorage Hut.