Abel Tasman-Separation Point to Awaroa Bay

Bush, beach and no roads between. The Abel Tasman lies along the west coast of Tasman Bay. To the East lie the Marlborough Sounds (see the Queen Charlotte track post from early December), and to the West, Golden Bay, Farewell Spit and the sea. Very few people live here, but many Kiwis (and others) visit here to imagine Aotearoa's paradise regained. 

Dolphins and rays follow the tides into the coves, while the eels and wading birds ply the tidal marshes. At night, glow worms light up the little grottos created by winding streams and the Southern Cross rises above the hills as the din of cicadas fades.

We chartered a single engine cessna to make the jump from Wellington to a little grass airstrip at Awaroa Bay. Below is aerial footage taken just prior to landing, followed by a 360 degree view of the tidal flat (at low tide) adjacent to the bay. That's a bellbird singing in the background.