Beaches around the Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand (South Island)

We were recently staying with family around Golden Bay, New Zealand and thought I’d share some photos of the gorgeous beaches in that area.

Tata Beach

A popular long golden beach approx. 20km from Takaka, most of which is backed by holiday homes.

Totaranui

Totaranui is a 1 km long golden beach and nestled just behind it is a large DoC (Department of Conservation) campsite. As of 2013 camping is $15NZD per person and there are no electric plugins, only toilets and cold showers.

The below photo is taken on our visit in early 2012. We caught the Wilson’s boat from Kaiteriteri to Awaroa and then walked to Totaranui. As we were only taking a day trip we caught the boat back from Totaranui to Kaiteriteri. For more information on Wilson’s boat services please click here.

Awaroa

Awaroa beach was very photogenic as there were little islands of sands still popping out of the water as the tide came in. The walk from Awaroa to Totaranui took us 2 hours. As you need to cross Awaroa Inlet and Venture Creek at low tide make sure you check when this is before you set off. We reached Awaroa Inlet late so the water was up to my thighs - not too much of a problem but we couldn’t have crossed any later.

Wharariki

Wharariki beach is a few kilometers from Farewell Spit and tends to get a little battered and bruised from the strong winds, however the day we visited the weather was extremely calm, hot and sunny. The beach itself is a short 10 - 15 minute walk through manuka forest and once you reach the beach you are rewarded with rugged sand dunes and plenty of wildlife. This is probably my favourite beach due to is pure rugged natural beauty.

We came across these cute little seal pups playing in one of the pools. There isn’t many places in the world where you can get so close to wildlife like this (other than in a zoo)!

Anapai Beach

Whilst visiting New Zealand in early 2013 we went camping on the DoC site at Totaranui beach and we did a short walk to Anapai Beach. Anapai is about an hours walk from Totaranui beach in the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park.