Abel Tasman Coastal Track Vehicle Access

The vehicle access route into Abel Tasman National Park cuts through dense native beech forest on loose limestone and granite surfaces, delivering you to some of New Zealand’s most pristine golden sand beaches. Starting from Totaranui Road near Takaka, this rough track winds through podocarp forest and around granite tors before dropping down to the coastal terraces. The notorious Gibbs Hill section will test your crawler gears with steep, rutted climbs through regenerating native bush.

This is proper high-clearance 4WD territory — stock vehicles will struggle on the steeper pinches and loose rock sections. Best tackled April through October when the clay base isn’t a muddy mess. No permits required for vehicle access, but camping is restricted to designated areas only. Pack extra water and recovery gear. What you get is unfiltered access to some of the South Island’s most stunning coastline without the tourist crowds.