A rough guide to the huts of the Abel Tasman Coast Track
A rough guide to the huts of the Abel Tasman Coast Track
Hut highlights and why you should walk Abel Tasman from north to south.
The computer carnage and keyboard chaos is on, since it’s Great Walk booking season!
My partner Zoe and I walked the famed Abel Tasman Track in early April. Here’s a really rough and ready guide to the huts of the Abel Tasman Track. Ready? Go…
Walk Abel Tasman north to south!
If you do this walk the “correct” way, the order of huts goes:
Whariwharangi Hut
Awaroa Hut
Bark Bay Hut
Anchorage Hut
Why walk Abel Tasman north to south?
Because catching a water taxi to or near the start and then walking back to your car without deadline will allow you to relax and maximise your enjoyment in the park;
Because kicking off your Abel Tasman experience with the older, more rustic Whariwharangi Hut and gravitating towards the newer, more luxurious accommodation will ensure any tiredness-induced negative emotions are compensated with nicer digs along the way;
Because the super long footbridge leading to the beautifully carved waharoa (Māori gateway) at Mārahau serves as a fitting ending to your Great Walk adventure. Sure, Wainui has a waharoa and a car park, but Mārahau has a pizza restaurant and beer. This is best enjoyed after your walk. Trust me.
Hut highlights
Whariwharangi Hut has a rare twin and a triple room, so get there early to bag!
A sign at Awaroa Hut claimed the water was treated and safe to drink, though not up to official NZ drinking water standards. We were told one tap at Anchorage offered the same. Drinking hut water without treating/boiling is still at your own risk.
Awaroa Hut has a (cold) shower!
Awaroa, Bark Bay and Anchorage Huts have WiFi (no guarantees this will be the case forever), so save some battery. You'll thank me when the snore-chestra kicks off in the middle of the night and you want to escape to the kitchen to play Wordle!
Anchorage has a USB charging point sticking out of the kitchen wall! (Not to be relied upon!)
Anchorage Hut is divided into dorms of eight to ten bunks. Large groups could get their own room!
As mentioned on the DOC website, none of the huts provided stoves, so you must carry your own.
All four huts have fires for heating.
All the huts’ toilets were flush toilets, but please don’t flush those “flushable” things that aren’t really flushable. Ts, Ps and TP only, thanks!
All four huts have weka on permanent security patrol, so don't fear about any other creatures stealing your food. All they ask in return is an edible (or non-edible in some cases) donation. Snacks or USB powerbanks are acceptable koha.
Whariwharangi Hut: the cute little cottage in the woods!
Hopefully this article has revealed some welcome bonuses at the huts you weren’t expecting. As I revealed in my previous article about the Abel Tasman Coast Track, I was surprised to find many of these. Obviously, these could disappear at any time. Please do let me know in the comments if you find something has changed.
Also, if you’ve done the Abel Tasman Track, I’d love to know what you thought!