Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand is an 87-square-mile area of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and blue water estuaries. Visitors can hike, canoe, snorkel, and sea kayak while enjoying the park’s exotic birds and hidden treasures. The park is named after Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who discovered the island in 1642, and was officially secured by the government in 1942 to preserve its historical and ecological significance. The park has a rich indigenous Maori history, with a fort at Pitt Head showcasing ancient food pits and terraced architecture.
Since 1942, the New Zealand government has maintained a pristine 87-square-mile parcel of land, just north of the city of Greymouth, known as Abel Tasman National Park. This land is prized for its photo-ready landscapes. The rugged cliffs give way to sandy beaches. The park also has blue water estuaries filled with marine life, especially one in particular which is completely enveloped in hilly forest. Along the coast, rock formations like the one at Anapai Bay draw one’s mind to the rich history of the place. Some take part in the park’s Coastal Track, which is a three- to five-day hike along the park’s Tasman Sea coast.
Recreation and relaxation are two sides of the same coin at Abel Tasman National Park. Hiking or canoeing can be challenging, largely due to the mountainous terrain. This gives way to calm and often desolate beaches with water in a clear turquoise hue that makes snorkelling easy. Sea kayaking is another common diversion, through another national treasure: Tonga Island Marine Reserve.
Plants and animals abound in the park, mainly exotic birds such as tui, pukeko, and bellbirds. Numerous inland treks guide visitors through some of the park’s most hidden treasures. From the granite outcrops and high ridges, cameras come out to capture the best overall views of the entire park.
The smallest national park in the country, it’s also one of the most historic, named after the Dutch explorer who first “discovered” the island on these shores in 1642. Of course, for at least five centuries before that aboriginal tribes lived on this land. They fought off Tasman who claimed four of his men, and it took another two centuries for the Europeans to finally decide to settle here.
After Europeans finally began settling New Zealand in 1855, persistent logging and mining followed to create homes, ships and pastures. In 1942, the central government of the island nation officially secured Abel Tasman National Park to preserve its historical and ecological significance. It happened on the 300th anniversary of Tasman’s visit.
Indigenous Maori have lived in what is now Abel Tasman National Park for much longer than European settlers did, up to 1,000 years ago. A fort still stands at Pitt Head to educate visitors about this highly spiritual people, who still make up about 14 percent of the country’s population. Ancient food pits and terraced architecture are proudly on display at the fort.
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