Nelson and Abel Tasman Travel Guide
Buy New Zealand DollarsNelson and Abel Tasman at a glance
Nelson, at the top of the South Island, is one of New Zealand's sunniest places, with about 2,400 hours of sunshine a year, and the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park: golden beaches, clear turquoise water and coastal forest, about an hour's drive away at Marahau and Kaiteriteri. There is no road along the park's coast; you go in by water taxi, by kayak or on foot.
AquaTaxi runs from Marahau all year and from Kaiteriteri except from May to September: NZD 63 to Anchorage and NZD 75 to Tōtaranui one way, each including the compulsory NZD 7 environmental and access fee and one bag up to 20 kg; children pay half. The classic day is a water taxi out to a bay and a walk back along the Coast Track. Tōtaranui, the furthest bay the taxis reach, can also be reached by road from Tākaka, the last 12 km unsealed.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand's eleven Great Walks, runs 60 km over three to five days. From 1 October to 30 April, huts cost international visitors NZD 84 a night against NZD 55 for New Zealanders, and campsites NZD 31 against NZD 21; from 1 May everyone pays the same, lower rate. Book through the Department of Conservation. The Awaroa Inlet can be crossed only from 1.5 hours before to 2 hours after low tide.
Air New Zealand flies to Nelson from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and Sounds Air and Originair from Wellington. The Better Bus runs in season from Nelson to Kaiteriteri and Marahau, NZD 42.50 one way. Indian passport holders need a Visitor Visa, applied for online before travel: NZD 441, including the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy, and Immigration New Zealand decides 80% within two weeks. The NZeTA is not open to Indians.
What to see and do
Nelson is about an hour by road from Marahau and Kaiteriteri, the park's southern gateways; inside the park, it is boat, kayak or foot.
Water taxis
The park's road in. AquaTaxi boats leave Marahau (all year) and Kaiteriteri (October to April) for Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Tōtaranui, from NZD 63 one way including the access fee. Book ahead in summer.
Sea kayaking
The best way to see the coves up close. Guided trips and rentals leave from Marahau and Kaiteriteri, and many pair a paddle out with a water taxi or a walk back.
The Coast Track
A 60 km Great Walk, usually done in sections: a water taxi out and a few hours' walk back is the easiest way in. Huts cost international visitors NZD 84 a night from October to April.
Nelson
The city itself: cafés, galleries and the Nelson Market in Montgomery Square, Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm, rain or shine, with Tahunanui Beach a short drive away.
Paying in Nelson and Abel Tasman
For the dollar itself, entry rules for Indians, biosecurity and how much cash to carry, see the New Zealand travel guide and the New Zealand dollar page, and before you fly, read how to avoid extra ATM fees in New Zealand.
Cards and contactless work across Nelson and with the park operators; water taxis and kayak trips are booked and paid online. Keep a little cash for small cafés and campsites.
What Nelson and Abel Tasman actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in New Zealand dollars and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 9 October 2026, NZ$1 ≈ ₹54.30, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹4,890 to ₹17,380 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Water taxi to Anchorage / Tōtaranui, one way | NZD 63 / 75 |
| Coast Track hut, international visitor, Oct-Apr | NZD 84 a night |
| Coast Track campsite, international visitor, Oct-Apr | NZD 31 a night |
| The Better Bus, Nelson to Marahau, one way | NZD 42.50 |
| Coffee | NZD 5-7 |
| Casual meal | NZD 18-32 |
Getting around
A hire car is the easiest way between Nelson and the park's entrances, about an hour each way. Without one, The Better Bus runs in season from 1 October, NZD 42.50 one way from Nelson to Kaiteriteri or Marahau. Inside the park there is no coastal road: water taxi, kayak or foot.
Common mistakes in Nelson and Abel Tasman
Expecting an NZeTA
Indian passport holders cannot use the NZeTA, even with a US, UK or Canada visa. Apply for a Visitor Visa online (NZD 441) well before you fly.
Planning to drive into the park
There is no coastal road beyond Marahau. Book a water taxi or kayak, or walk the Coast Track.
Ignoring the Awaroa tide
The Awaroa Inlet can be crossed only from 1.5 hours before to 2 hours after low tide, in daylight. Check the tide table first.
Leaving hut bookings late
Coast Track huts sell out in summer, and international visitors pay NZD 84 a night from October to April. Book early through DOC.
Nelson and Abel Tasman FAQs
NZD 63 to Anchorage and NZD 75 to Tōtaranui one way with AquaTaxi, including the NZD 7 access fee and one bag up to 20 kg. Children pay half.
Yes. Indian passport holders need a Visitor Visa, applied for online in advance: NZD 441 in all, including the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy, and Immigration New Zealand decides 80% of applications within two weeks. The NZeTA is not open to Indian passport holders, even with a US, UK or Canada visa; only Australian permanent residents can use it. Everyone also completes the free New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
Not along the coast: beyond Marahau you go by water taxi, kayak or on foot. Tōtaranui, at the northern end, can be reached by road from Tākaka.
NZD 84 a night from 1 October to 30 April (New Zealanders pay NZD 55), and campsites NZD 31. From 1 May everyone pays the same, lower rate.
Three to four: a day in Nelson and two in the park, or three to five days to walk the whole Coast Track.
On 9 October 2026 one New Zealand dollar was ₹54.30 at the mid-market rate, so NZD 100 is about ₹5,430.
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