This place is such a gem! A friend had stayed here for quite a while a few years back, so we knew…read morewe had to stay here during our trip to Abel Tasman National Park. They offer hostel-style dormitories, small private units, and glamping options. We opted for the clamping tent and loved it. The tent was outfitted with a comfy bed, furniture, and everything you'd need: a fan, dehumidifier, heat, phone charger outlets, etc. The shared shower and bathroom area was a few steps away which was convenient. They have some food and drink for sale in the check-in office, as well as a food truck that often serves veg/health-focused fare. They also have kitchens, lounge areas, and games onsite. It's right at the start of the National Park, so there couldn't be a better spot to stay for a few days of exploring the park!

I thoroughly enjoyed my night in a double room with partial ocean view. My room and bed were very…read morecomfortable. I hiked to the beach before sunset. There was no food choices other than what you bring. They sell frozen pizza and a few basic other things for purchase while the office is open. They give you a small amount of Wi-Fi free. Otherwise you can purchase 10 GB for $5 which I did. Shared kitchen and bathrooms. Friendly roosters that you will meet quickly if you're eating any food outside... Gorgeous sunrise over the ocean. I recommend staying here priced affordably for any budget.

Nice camp with sites under tall trees, perfect in window with no leaves and I imagine great shade…read morein summer. Facilities are really clean and well maintained. Not many people here so lots of space but expect it's crowded in high season Did our laundry and the dryers need maintenance as they were very slow to dry, very little heat

Conveniently close to start of Great Walk and Water Taxi access if you're getting a ride back from…read moreone of the Coastal Track beaches. Also, very friendly, well informed from desk staff. However, very cramped sites and not very many washers, cookers, showers, etc. I would check elsewhere next time and consider parking in Marahau or Kaiteriteri for water taxi return.

Our eyes and minds were opened to a more thorough appreciation of the sights, sounds and history of…read morethe stunning Abel Tasman National Park and the adjoining Tonga Island Marine Reserve. As amateur birders we were thrilled to see all the species that were new to us. Stewart tailored the excursion to our interests and still had plenty of time to include lunch on the beach, walk to a waterfall, gliding thru many secluded inlets with crystal clear water and watching eagle rays swim right under us. Stewart certainly is without doubt the most knowledgeable guide we have ever had the privilege to be with. The best part is that he has the personality and ability to communicate scientific information in a form that is entertaining without being stuffy, boring or intimidating. We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our day and we will never forget this high point of our month in New Zealand.

A beautiful lodge located within a forest and next to a beautiful sandy beach. The restaurant is…read moredecent and I especially loved the nearby eels and glow bugs. Really cool to check out at night! One thing is that their are a ton of mosquitos and they get in quite easily to your rooms (so that kinda sucked).

We just spent two nights in this moderately-priced spot, and couldn't be happier. Less expensive…read morethan most accommodations in New Zealand, it's right in the town of Takaka, easy walking distance to a full-sized market, several good restaurants and bars, clothing and hardware stores, and pretty much everything in town. The entire Golden Bay area is an easy drive from the motel, with hikes, hot springs, fishing, swimming, and all the usual fun things. This motel is almost a boutique hotel, as the interior appointments are modern and well-designed. Our room had a very usable kitchen with full assortment of utensils, a lovely bathroom, windows that opened to create a nice flow of air, and a very comfortable bed. My single complaint is that the lighting in the kitchen is compact fluorescent, rather harsh at night, but all the other lighting was fine. The couple that own and built the place are very knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to chat with. Highly recommended for any sized group, including families. There is a laundry room, outdoor barbecue grill, and our room had a little veranda with table that was very comfortable. Book from their web site, you will save money.

Robert Palzer is running an excellent chalet. Stayed here in December 2011 and loved every minute…read moreof it. The location was perfectly situated relative to the Abel Tasman trekking trail and to catch a boat ride in the Bay or grabbing a bite at a local restaurant. Robert is also a dynamite chef and prepared the best egg breakfast with all the fixings. Also loved the accomodations including the cute jar of milk in the fridge for coffee. A wonderful touch.

One of the couple boat operators we used in the Abel Tasman park. While there is no significant…read moredifference between all of them, I would say Sea Shuttle is less crowded. Ultimately the choice will come down to the timetables of their departure/pickups, as this will define how much of hiking you get to do. They also have three day passes at about $150 NZ $, which is a great deal if you are staying around the park for a few days.

I had a tour with Kaiteriteri Kayaks and they used the Sea Shuttle bus to pick me up from Nelson…read more Our driver was HILARIOUS and such a joy. It's obvious he loves his job and is passionate about the area. I didn't ride on the Sea Shuttle boat, but it looked very crowded.

We did the Split Apple Rock/ Toka Ngawhā 3-hour tour from 9AM-12PM which launched from the shores…read moreof Kaiteriteri Beach (or Kaiteretere in Maori for "a hurried meal"). This was a mixed group outing on a waka, a traditional Maori outrigger canoe. We ended up with 3 other participants who signed up online and were led by Lea, our guide. Not only was she our guide, imparting cultural knowledge and stories of the Maori people, but she taught us all the cues/ commands to paddle in sync with our newly formulated team. We also learned a powerful "haka" cry, to instill fear into other fellow paddlers also visiting the Split Apple Rock (and end up on social media while at it, haha). It was a powerful, confidence inducing paddle, and new and different. Paddling with strangers might seem weird, but the experience, under the guidance of Lea, made it feel quite natural and fun too. You do not need any experience to sign up. Just come with an open mind. And a full belly since the paddle could be quite vigorous, although you do get plenty of breaks along your course to the "burst open rock" and even a little hang out opportunity on the way back at one of the nearby golden sanded beaches. This 3-hour tour was perfect for experiencing Abel Tasman NP, without eating too much time into your day. Extra bonus if you have sunshine which we were so grateful to have during our outing! Todd, the owner, was super kind too. Kind enough to offer some recommendations of local eats and drinks before wishing us well for the rest of our day. Thank you Waka Abel Tasman for the most gratifying cultural experience!