Marahau: Gateway to the Abel Tasman

After another overcast but mild day yesterday, this morning was one out of the box. We checked out of the camping ground, parked on the Kaiteriteri beachfront and brewed up a coffee… we really didn’t want to leave this beautiful spot!
But we reasoned we would be coming back this way on our way south, so hopefully we will spend some more time here. We headed for the start of the Takaka Hill, and veered off to the left down the Riwaka Valley where we parked and set off through the bush to find the Riwaka Resurgence – where the river emerges from under the Takaka Hill at a consistent 9 degrees all year round. The water here is so pure and clear you can see every stone on the bottom, and you cannot tell how deep the pools are. It was a truly awesome spot.
We drove on around the coast until we arrived at Marahau, the very last stop before the start of the Abel Tasman Track, one of NZ’s ‘Great Walks’. By now it was drizzling, so we decided not to attempt any of the track today, but we do have big plans for tomorrow… We checked into a rather alternative-looking campsite which is walking distance to the start of the track, and wandered down to a café/bar for a drink and to check out their takeaways menu (tonight is fish and chips night!) There is hardly anyone else here, so we are looking forward to another peaceful night in the wilderness.
Happy hour was spent looking out over the start of the track and Tasman Bay beyond, surrounded by natural bush and tuis flitting all around us and singing loudly. It was warm and sunny with not a breath of wind, but the clouds that had been hanging over Takaka Hill behind us all day put on a rather dramatic show. Another magic spot.Read more