Getting Here
Whether you are travelling by car, plane, bus or boat, you'll find directions, travel times and travel advice on this page. If you are still unsure, please just give our friendly reservations team a call.
Street Addresses for GPS Navigation
Head Office: 265 High St, Motueka
Kaiteriteri Ticket Booth: Riwaka-Kaiteriteri and Inlet Road corner, Kaiteriteri
Regional Maps
Click on the images at the bottom of this page to view image maps of the region and our office locations.
By Car
Approximate driving times to Kaiteriteri or Marahau from:
| Blenheim | 2hrs 30mins |
| Christchurch | 7hrs |
| Collingwood | 1hr 45mins |
| Motueka* | 20mins |
| Nelson | 1hr 20mins |
| Picton |
3hrs 20mins |
| Richmond |
40mins |
| Takaka | 60mins |
| Westport | 4h |
*If you drive from Motueka to Marahau via Kaiteriteri, allow an extra 20 minutes for the drive.
Nelson to Motueka:
Take Highway 6 south through Richmond. At the Richmond roundabout(traffic circle), take the right-hand exit -> Highway 60. Drive northward approx 40 kms (25 miles). Highway 60 is named High Street as you enter Motueka. Wilson's Office in Motueka (open all year) is located at 265 High Street, on the right-hand side as you enter the main township, just past the New World Supermarket car park where you can park your car during office hours. Our office will direct you to overnight off-street parking.
Motueka to Kaiteriteri:
Continue north along High Street (Hwy 60) out of Motueka for approximately 8 kms (5 miles). The highway contains several junctions but stick to the main road as it crosses the Motueka River (long, narrow 2-lane bridge), veers right through Riwaka and then crosses the Riwaka River Bridge. Two hundred metres past Riwaka bridge, turn off the highway at the right turn signposted to Abel Tasman National Park via Kaiteriteri and Marahau. Continue for 6 kms to Kaiteriteri.
Our office (open 8.30 am to last sailing, November to April) is located in the main car park across the road from Kaiteriteri Beach. Address: Corner Riwaka-Kaiteriteri Rd and Inlet Rd. Look for our Sea Fern Logo. Overnight parking in the car park. Click on the images at the bottom of this page to view image maps of the region and Kaiteriteri office location.
Motueka to Marahau:
From Motueka, it is quicker if you do not turn off Hwy 60 at the Kaiteriteri junction. Stay on the highway for approx 200 metres as it veers left, then take the next right-hand turn off the highway, signposted to Abel Tasman National Park via Marahau. Marahau is approximately 10 kms (6 miles) from the turnoff.
If you are in Kaiteriteri, you can continue past Kaiteriteri Beach and follow the road along the coast to Marahau (approx 8 kms, 15 minutes).
At Marahau:
Sandy Bay Road runs through the village, along the water front, then veers away from the beach to the National Park entrance and public carpark. To avoid environmental damage and the discomfort of tidal transfers on shallow sand flats, we do not transfer passengers in the Marahau estuary. Please contact us for shuttle options to connect with our boat departures in Kaiteriteri.
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By Sea
Crossing Cook Strait (separating the North and South Islands of New Zealand) requires some organisation and advance bookings, especially during the peak summer season. The two main ferry companies are:
Interislander
Bluebridge
Allow 2 hours 15 mins to drive from Picton, where the ferry arrives, to Nelson.
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By Air
International airports closest to Abel Tasman National Park are Wellington (North Island) and Christchurch (South Island). Two regional airlines offer scheduled services into Nelson airport:
Air New Zealand
air2there
Other smaller airlines such as Sounds Air offer services across Cook Strait and offer an alternative to taking a Cook Strait Ferry.
To fly directly into the National Park, contact Picton Floatplane Service for flights from the Marlborough Sounds and Picton ferry terminal.
By Coach
Many bus and coach services connect Nelson and Motueka with other destinations in the North and South Islands.
Abel Tasman Coachlines - regional coach services
InterCity Coachlines - national coach services
Suggested Itineraries
Click these links for details:
- Combine Milford Track and Abel Tasman Coast Track
- Combine Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman Coast Track
Other About Abel Tasman National Park Options
We operate these options:
Free night's luxury accommodation in Nelson if you book a 3 or 5 day break with us for New Zealand's Spring season 2013
- 27 reviews of Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park in Abel Tasman National Park
