Mārahau
Mārahau is an idyllic seaside village is the southern gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. It's known locally as the Abel Tasman Village.
Mārahau is an idyllic seaside village is the southern gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. It's known locally as the Abel Tasman Village.
The Abel Tasman Village, or its official name – Mārahau – has a long history of settlement by Māori.
Mārahau has several known meanings in Māori, ‘garden with the right amount of wind’, ‘fertile land’, ‘place of strong women’ or ‘place of magic’. We’re not sure they all ring true now or in the past, but Māori certainly grew kūmara (sweet potato) abundantly in the Mārahau Valley.
Today, Abel Tasman Village is a small settlement of a few hundred residents. Blessed with a warm and temperate climate (one of the many reasons we chose the area), it has some of New Zealand’s highest sunshine hours. Even in winter, the days can be mild and are often calm and crystal clear.
During summer, the golden sand beaches are beautiful for swimming, a picnic, or just soaking up the sun.
Along with two lovely golden sand beaches, Abel Tasman Village boasts more than 30 businesses focused on activities and services for visitors to the area. The wonderful thing is it still retains the feeling of a small seaside village, despite being the gateway to New Zealand’s favourite National Park.
Because it is so close to the Abel Tasman National Park, the village has easy access to the water taxis and kayak operators. Abel Tasman Village is also the home to canyoning adventures, eco-tours, horse riding plus a wide range of other activities for experiencing the Abel Tasman region.
Mārahau really is the ideal place to begin your Abel Tasman adventure.
Use the water taxi to walk different sections of the Abel Tasman.
Regular services in the morning and early afternoon leave Mārahau.
We recommend any of these excellent kayaking teams. All offer a range of kayaking trips.
You can also mix in some walking with your kayak trip, providing lots of options.
Including Yoga, Artisans, Scenic Flights, Helicopter Trips and much more.
Get in touch at zn.oc1733258761.egdo1733258761lnams1733258761atleb1733258761a@ofn1733258761i1733258761 if you would like more details.
Let us take away any holiday hassle.
Use our local knowledge of the Abel Tasman National Park to help tailor and book your activities at no extra charge.
What’s more, if you book ahead, you don’t need to pay for any activity until you arrive.