Abel Tasman National Park

Not only did good old Abel lend his name to an entire sea, but he also got this wonderful park named after him.

Abel Tasman has no roads going through it, so the best way to see it is either by foot, kayaking, or water taxi. We picked up the water taxi in Kaiteriteri.

The water taxi lead us to a remote part of the park. Along the way, we saw some interesting sights including Split Apple Rock.

And a few seals (err, at least their tails).

The water taxi dropped us off somewhere in the middle of the park. Our plan was to spend the day hiking along the coast line and catch the water taxi for a lift back to Kaiteriteri.

We had lunch looking out over the many colored Tasman Sea.

The Abel Tasman coast trail snaked along the hills and provided a nice view of the sea.

Another view from the trail.

There were lots of interesting plants, trees, and rock formations along the trail. We saw the yellow flowers of this scrub brush all over the South Island. [1280x960]

Autumn was just starting around the time of our visit and you can see it in the colors of these ferns.

Here are some interesting flowers on this tree.

Some long streamers from another tree.

A giant rock with lots of things growing around it.

A small rock with lots of things growing on top of it.

Bark Bay was our first stop on the coast trail.

Cynthia, forging ahead.

Looking out over Bark Bay from the shade of some nearby trees.

Here's a view from one of the highest points along the coast trail.

Here we are taking the easy way across one of the park's rivers.

Here's one of the tinier rivers that we had to cross.

One of the many friendly faces we met along the trail.

Another view from the trail. Below is the beach where the water taxi is going to pick us up.

Some other people waiting for the water taxi just like us.

All in all, a great hike!

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