Abel Tasman Backpack - day one

Our first backpack in New Zealand was taken over our spring break in September. The kids get two weeks off school, and we decided to take another week for a good long holiday. 20 days!
John made plans for us to drive up to the most northern tip of the south island. This area is simply amazing. The Abel Tasman is New Zealands smallest National Park. It is named for the Dutch Explorer that was the the first known European to find New Zealand . This area is protected from nasty weather in the bay, it is known as being the most sunny spot in NZ. So we really did luck out with gorgeous weather after 6 weeks of nasty winter rain in Dunedin.

What I  loved about the Abel Tasman was the mixes the physical exertion of  backpacking with beautiful relaxing beach life. Bursts of hiking are punctuated by sun bathing, swimming or laying around on the beach. Also the native wildlife is an essential part of the scenery. Tui and bellbird song fills the thick forests. There are little blue penguins in the area (we didn't see any) but we ran into over 20 fur seals! This was on our last day in the backcountry exploring the edge of the Tonga Reserve lounging on the garnet rock. We have never been on a back pack where we were so engaged with finding Sea life such as crabs, jelly fish and Seals.

Ellie showing where we begin and end.

Jen and John at the begining of the backpack along the Tasman Sea

Ready with heavy packs for the tramp

Alex on the beach on the first day of hiking. Frequently folks would sea kayak onto the beaches we were hanging-out on. Looked fun to do.

Ellie and a little crab she found in the Sea's water edge at lunch time.

Gorgeous day! Finally going downhill to our first night camp.

Family photo!

Ellie plays in our bunk house - it was full, so we slept in here with 8 other strangers!

The Bunk house kitchen - full of folks from around the world. We met people from France, Spanin, Germany and England. No Kiwis.

That evening we walked around Anchorage Bay and checked out all the Giant Jelly fish that were beaching themselves.

Click here to watch a video we took of Anchorage Bay and Jellyfish. Jellyfish Video

Dead Jellyfish on beach with Jen's foot