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Anchorage Bay Day Trip

If you are travelling with small kids but really want to explore some of the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, a day trip to Anchorage Beach is the perfect solution.

The Abel Tasman Track is a world-famous hiking trail located in the Abel Tasman National Park, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand.

The park is well known for its coastal scenery, and the track features numerous beaches and estuaries.

Anchorage Beach is at the start of the track, and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking.

The waters were calm enough to swim in.

The beach is also a good place to launch kayaks for exploring the coastline. The waters are calm due to being in a bay, and there are plenty of sandbars to relax on.

At low tide, it is possible to walk around the headland to another beach called Torrent Bay.

There are several campsites located near Anchorage Beach, as well as a DOC visitor center.

To get to Anchorage Beach you’ll need to take a day cruise or water taxi. Wilsons Abel Tasman offer tours from Kaiteriteri which venture past Split Apple Rock and take around 45 minutes each way.

Guests then have up to three hours at the beach to enjoy swimming and exploring.

There are plenty of short walks you can do from Anchorage that will have you back in time for the return boat trip although make sure you add extra time for little legs.

These include:

Te Pukatea Bay – a 1-hour return walk (2km) takes you to one of the most picturesque bays in Abel Tasman National Park.

Pitt Head Loop Track – 1 hr 30 min return (4km) from Anchorage to Te Pukatea Bay via Pitt Head.

Cleopatra’s Pool – 1 hr 30 min return (4km) around the Torrent Bay estuary – allow extra time to enjoy the natural water slide from a mountain stream.

Accommodation at Anchorage Beach consists of a DOC campsite or you can stay at Kaiteriteri and boat in for the day.