ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK

"I cannot adequately describe the beauty of the little nooks in the coast, every one with its little beach of the most beautiful yellow sand, with an impenetrable mass of evergreen shrubs rising in the background, presenting to the eye every shade of the rainbow."
This was the reaction of pioneer Frederick Carrington in 1841. The history of the park area dates further back to occupation by early Maori in the 15th century. The first encounter with Europeans was in 1642, when Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sent a party ashore, the resulting encounter with the Maori giving Golden Bay its original title of Murderers Bay. Captain James Cook entered Tasman Bay in 1770, and then in 1827 D'Urville visited. Early European settlement, with forestry, boatbuilding and farming saw massive modification of the landscape.
The Abel Tasman National Park was created in 1942 and the park's story today is one of a recovering ecosystem, with the native coastal species growing back under the care of the Department of Conservation.

DAY WALKS
From Kanuka Hill Lodge you can explore some of the park's treasures on easy day walks.
Cleopatra's Pool: (1hr 30min) Follow the walking track, or walk up the river at low tide to the footbridge over the Torrent River. Take a dip in the pool which has been carved by the river in a massive chunk of bedrock. (See photo right)
Te Pukatea Bay: (15 min) One of the park's perfect crescent shaped beaches, sheltered from the breeze, and another great swimming spot. Continue with the loop track on to Pitt Head, the site of early Maori fortification, with great views north up the coastline of the park including Tonga Island.
Watering Cove: (45min) D'Urville came ashore here to replenish his water supply from the clear waters of the stream. Little has changed, with the shady trees along the shore a welcome contrast to the windswept ridge you will cross on your walk.
Cascade Falls: (half day) Take a break from the sea, sun and sand to explore the interior of the park. The track follows the cool fresh waters of the Falls River, through the boulder path it has carved for itself with pools and smaller waterfalls to the six flights of the Cascade Falls.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
- One day guided Sea Kayaking trips can be arranged.
- Take a boat trip up the coast to the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and swim with seals.
- Relax on the beach, enjoy the changing landscape as the tides ebb and flow, listen to the birdsong.
- Take a walk in the evening and visit the glowworms in caves at the end of the beach.
- Sailing trips can be arranged.
- Dive Trips can be arranged.

The lodge will be closed for the 2006/2007 season but please look through our site. Watch this space for a new opening date.

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