Where to Stay Near Abel Tasman National Park: Best Areas & Accommodation

While Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park in New Zealand, it’s also one of the most popular. 

And once you visit, I think you’ll see why.

With pristine golden-sand beaches, hills cloaked in native bush, and stunning coastal trails to explore, it’s a slice of paradise at the top of the South Island, and a place I never tire of visiting.

If you’re planning your first visit to Abel Tasman National Park and aren’t sure where to stay, I’m here to help. 

In this guide, I’ll share the best areas to stay near Abel Tasman National Park, including my favourite accommodation options and campsites, based on 10+ years of visiting this epic part of New Zealand.

So let’s get to it. Here’s where to stay near Abel Tasman National Park!

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Map of Where to Stay Near Abel Tasman National Park

Where to Stay Near Abel Tasman National Park

Marahau

Marahau is a small coastal settlement located right at the southern entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. 

From Marahau, you can easily set off on a hike on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, or hop on a kayak tour or scenic cruise. 

I’ve stayed in Marahau many times over the years because I love how easy it is to access the national park from here. 

My favourite thing to do here is to take a water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage Bay, then hike back to Marahau via the Abel Tasman Coast Track. 

One thing worth noting is that the beaches near Marahau are tidal, and at low tide the water recedes quite far out. I think it’s beautiful, but if you’d prefer a sandy beach for swimming and sunbathing, you might prefer Kaiteriteri (which I’ll detail in the next entry).

There are multiple options in Marahau for both accommodation and camping, but they do fill up in the summer months, so it’s a good idea to book in advance.

There aren’t any supermarkets in Marahau, so you’ll want to stock up before arriving (Motueka is the last major stop for supplies). If you’d like to dine out, Park Cafe is a good spot for wood-fired pizzas and live music sometimes, too. 

Where to stay in Marahau

• Abel Tasman Lodge: This fantastic lodge is hands down my favourite place to stay near Abel Tasman National Park. The grounds are gorgeous, the rooms are modern and comfortable, the owners are super nice, and the location is right near the entrance to the national park. 
  
  
• The Barn Cabins & Camp: A fun and budget-friendly place to stay, with a fantastic location at the entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. They have cabins, glamping options, and campsites on offer, plus great facilities including indoor and outdoor kitchens, lawn games, and an onsite shop selling coffees and basics.

Kaiteriteri

If you want to explore Abel Tasman National Park and also want to stay near gorgeous sandy beaches, Kaiteriteri is the spot for you.

Kaiteriteri is a small settlement with a beautiful golden-sand beach at its doorstep. From here, you can easily drive, take a water taxi, or hop on a cruise to explore Abel Tasman National Park.

Some other things I love doing here are visiting Split Apple Rock, hiking to Stephens Bay via Little Kaiteriteri Beach, and hiring kayaks at the beach to take out in the scenic bays.

I do need to warn you that Kaiteriteri is an extremely popular spot in summer, and accommodation books out far in advance. 

To be honest, I avoid it from about 26 December to the first weekend in February (peak summer season), as I don’t love crowds. If you visit outside of peak summer, though, it’s a magic spot and one I wholeheartedly recommend.

Where to stay in Kaiteriteri

• Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve: This sprawling holiday park has cabins, apartments, and campsites available, and it’s located just steps away from Kaiteriteri Beach.
  
  
• Kimi Ora Eco Resort: Perfect for eco-conscious travellers, this lovely property is the place to get away from it all. It feels like an oasis here with beautiful grounds (including a pool, steam room, and sauna), a vegetarian restaurant, and yoga classes.

Mapua

Mapua is a charming seaside village with a picturesque wharf and quaint shops and cafes. 

It makes a great central base for exploring the wider Nelson Tasman region, as it’s just a 45-minute drive from Abel Tasman National Park and a 30-minute drive from Nelson.

When you’re not exploring Abel Tasman National Park, you’ll find plenty of things to do around Mapua. 

You can hire bikes to cycle a section of the Great Taste Trail, take the ferry to visit nearby Rabbit Island, and enjoy the local dining scene.

Rabbit Island Coffee Co is the perfect spot for your morning cuppa, and Golden Bear Brewing is a great place to toast to a day well spent over a pint of locally brewed craft beer and a hearty meal.

Where to stay in Mapua

• Apple Pickers Cottages: Located a short drive from Mapua on a serene inlet surrounded by orchards, this is a very special place to stay. Their historic cottages have been renovated with modern touches without losing their rustic charm. I 10/10 recommend this place!
  
  
• Mapua Wharfside Apartments: If you’d like to stay within walking distance of the Mapua wharf, this property won’t disappoint. Their spacious apartments feature waterfront views, a fully equipped kitchen, and even your own laundry facilities—it’ll feel like your own little home away from home.

Motueka

Motueka is the closest major town to Abel Tasman National Park, making it a functional base if you’d like access to supermarkets, shops, and eateries.

While it’s not as picturesque as some of the other places on this list, it’s a perfectly good place to stay with great places to eat and more affordable accommodation.

Fuel up for a day of exploring by having breakfast at TOAD Hall, a place I never miss when I’m in the area. They have a menu full of healthy food, a cute onsite shop selling fresh produce, and a lovely outdoor seating area. 

Another great spot for a meal is the Smoking Barrel, known for their slow-cooked BBQ meats, fresh seafood, and gourmet donuts.

There are some fun things to do in and around Motueka, too.

The Motueka Saltwater Baths are worth a look. I also recommend visiting nearby Riwaka, where you’ll find roadside produce stalls selling local fruit, some great breweries like Hop Federation, and the beautiful Riwaka Resurgence walk.

Where to stay in Motueka

• Motueka TOP 10 Holiday Park: This family-friendly holiday park is a good budget-friendly option with cabins, motel units, and campsites available. It’s located right in town within walking distance to shops and eateries, and has great facilities like a heated pool, free BBQs, and bikes for hire.
  
  
• ASURE Nautilus Lodge Motel: With a great location in town and comfortable rooms with kitchenettes, this motel is a solid place to stay in Motueka.

Nelson

Nelson is the closest city to Abel Tasman National Park. 

If you want a convenient base close to an airport with lots of accommodation, shops, and dining options available, it’s completely doable to day trip from Nelson to Abel Tasman National Park.

I always love visiting Nelson and think it has a lot to offer. 

In the city centre, you can stroll along the Maitai River, hike to the “Centre of New Zealand,” and tuck into some delicious local food and drinks. 

For breakfast and coffee, I love Little Dove Cafe and Victus Coffee & Eatery. If you’re a craft beer lover, you won’t want to miss the Freehouse. For dinner, head to Hawker House for fresh food inspired by Southeast Asia, or grab a smash burger from Marty’s Meats.

Close to the city is Tahunanui Beach, a nice spot for a beach stroll or paddleboard session. 

And if you’re keen to stay awhile and use the city as a base for day trips (great idea, by the way), you can head in any direction and hit somewhere beautiful. Cable Bay, Nelson Lakes National Park, and Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve are all excellent options within a one-hour drive.

Where to stay in Nelson

• DeLorenzo Studio Apartments: With a fantastic city centre location, rooms complete with kitchenettes and laundry facilities, and a clean, modern feel, this is my go-to place to stay whenever I’m in Nelson.
  
  
• The Sails Nelson: A luxurious place to stay with suites and one-bedroom apartments, located within walking distance of shops and eateries in the Nelson city centre.

Golden Bay

If you’re keen to visit the northern side of Abel Tasman National Park—which is far less busy than the southern entrance—you should put Golden Bay on your list.

Golden Bay is located over the steep, winding Takaka Hill, but it’s well worth the effort to get there. It’s easily one of my favourite places in the whole country.

With gorgeous nature to explore and a bohemian atmosphere, Golden Bay is ideal for visitors wanting to get off the beaten path.

There are quite a few different areas you can stay in Golden Bay, but I usually opt to stay in Pohara, Ligar Bay, or Tata Beach. From here, you can day trip to Totaranui Beach and Abel Tasman National Park, or head west to windswept Wharariki Beach.

My number one tip is to allocate at least two nights (or more) for Golden Bay, because there’s a lot to do here and once you arrive, you won’t want to leave!

Where to stay in Golden Bay

• Pohara Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park: With a fantastic beachfront location and a range of camping and accommodation options, this laid back holiday park is a good budget-friendly place to stay in Golden Bay. My partner Ty and I love their ensuite cabins, which are furnished simply but are just steps away from the beach. 
  
  
• Ratanui Lodge: This boutique property feels like a sanctuary. With a great location right near Pohara Beach, cosy rooms, and delicious breakfasts, it’s a wonderful spot for a special stay in Golden Bay.

Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay near Abel Tasman National Park!

I truly hope this has helped you plan your visit to this special part of New Zealand.

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!

Some New Zealand itineraries for you

Planning to visit Abel Tasman National Park on a larger New Zealand trip? You might find these itineraries helpful:

• 8-day Picton to Queenstown road trip
• 3-week Auckland to Christchurch road trip
• 4-week New Zealand itinerary