kepelrtrack

The first thing to say is we have not walked all of this track, we have only done 3 separate sections using bus and water transport to get around. The full walk is a very easy 50kms and you can take it as hard or as easy as you want. The coastal scenery is absolutely knockout and because of this the track (and the huts and campsites) get very busy indeed in high season. Add on the day trippers using water taxis to get to the secluded bays and all the sea kayakers as well then you realise the chances of finding a secluded bay to yourself is pretty much impossible. We have still to do the section between Tonga Bay and Tortaranui which involves a crossing of Awaroa Bay that is dependant on the tides - we were just unlucky when we were around the area with the tide times. The walking options are varied: do day walks, do the whole track or just take a boat and stop a couple of nights at a hut or campsite(two nights is the maximum you can stop in one place). Buy your hut/campsite tickets beforehand and avoid the high season if possible.

We did this section, which is perhaps the most beautiful part of the whole track, during our cycling trip in 1999. We got a water taxi from Kaiteriteri at about 09:00hrs and were dropped off at Tonga Bay and then were picked up at Torrent Bay in late afternoon and returned to Kaiteriteri. It was a leisurely 4 hr walk with time to have a rest at Bark Bay, a particularly pretty spot before continuing to Torrent Bay in time for a swim before the boat came. The track initially climbs away from Tonga Bay, winds around several small ridges before dropping down to Bark Bay(after 3kms); there is a short cut possible either side of low tide otherwise you have an extra 20mins or so(which we had to do). Bark Bay has a DOC hut and some camping; a lovely spot.More climbing away from the bay and walking then mainly in the bush; there is a short diversion to a lookout before you come to a swingbridge and then climb away before coming across another short diversion to a lookout. We took all of these diversions as otherwise all you are seeing is bush! About 3hrs or so to Torrent Bay where the immediate shock is the number of holiday homes(or bachs as they call them in NZ). Still a lovely spot and a warm sea to swim in before the boat came on time for out return. A gem of a walk.

Abel Tasman National Park from Kaiteriteri

Tonga Bay

Leaving Torrent Bay

Anapai Bay

Mutton Cove

We did this section in Feb 2002 on not such a good day unfortunately. This section is perhaps the least used of the whole track and yet just as picturesque as the rest; a lot less bush walking. We left the car at Wainui Car Park and caught the morning bus that runs to Totaranui on a rough gravel road. There is a large DOC campsite at Totaranui that gets packed in high season. We had to cross a small inlet at the end of the camspite, possible around low tide,(there is a diversion) and then the track climbs up to a saddle and a good view down to Anapai Bay which we descended to and walked along and up to Mutton Cove - camping possible here. A climb then up to the headland and a worthwhile diversion to Separation Point - seals around here and good views. Descent down to the curved beach at Whariwharangi Bay and a DOC hut before a climb up and descent to Wainui Bay and our car-an easy 5hrs walk from Totaranui.

Mutton Cove & Anapai Bay

Wainui Bay & Inlet

Rest time at Appletree Bay

Looking down to Stilwell Bay

We did this section in Feb 2002 as well on a lovely day. Left the car at Marahau, walked to Torrent Bay and caught the boat back. Took us about 5hrs with plenty of stops; easy walking throughout. This is perhaps the busiest section with walkers in both directions and lots of sea kayakers about. A number of viewpoints and bays to walk down to; you are otherwise mainly in the bush. If you pick the right day/time you could go down to Anchorage Bay(there is a DOC hut and camping here) and then cross Torrent Bay Tidal Flats following the orange markers. We unfortunately had to go the long way round and therefore didn't had time for a swim before the boat came.

Anchorage Bay

Torrent Bay Tidal Flats