Access: One of the beauties of the Abel Tasman tramp is you can set your own journey distances – the first hut is only about 30 minutes’ walk from the start. The distances between the huts are between 5km and 12km, but there are plenty of campsites in between.

Hut features: Because the Abel Tasman is a Great Walk, the huts are top notch (some with showers) and busy. The ‘larger’ camping grounds having flushing toilets!

Added bonuses:

Lots of safe beaches to swim in and play on

You can practise your foreign language skills

Really varied walk from hills to flat, dense bush to golden beaches

Some of the smaller camp sites are really quiet – Anapai was delightful

Negatives/issues:

You’ll need to book well in advance, especially if you want to go in peak times – huts and water taxis

Parts of the track are really busy.

Some routes are tidal, so timing is important

Access to Anchorage Hut is only at low tide, and involves wading. It was a bit of a mission

Totoranui is like a large holiday park – keep walking!

Sandflies or mosquitos

Comprehensive information here: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/

Visited by: Victoria and family.