March 14, 2024

Abel Tasman National Park to Richmond

We wake up to a beautiful day and take a water taxi to Anchorage Bay. We could not believe our eyes when we see how the tractor pulling the taxi drives into the ocean.

It is a beautiful ride up the Abel Tasman coast. First we stop at the Split Rock.

After a good half an hour, we get off the boat and start our 12 km hike back to the car. At the beginning it was a steady uphill but then it turns into a nice hike along the coast in the forest.

It takes us about 4 hours to get back to the car. We make a stop at a cafe and enjoy a yummy smoothie. Then we spend another hour at the beach just relaxing before we decide to drive to Richmond where we find a free camping spot together with some other freedom campers.

There are 10 spaces for campers and car to stay overnight. At 5:30-6 pm all the spots are taken. Until late into the night campers are coming and hoping for a spot. Two even parked along a fence and woken up by the police handing them a ticket.