Solo Hiking The Abel Tasman Coast Track - A New Zealand Great Walk - Episode 3

This time I'm going solo!! Join me in the third instalment of my Great Walks series. The Abel Tasman Coast Track!
This episode length video will help you to get a real sense of what hiking this epic track is like. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is located within the Abel Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. It's the perfect mix of vibrant blue waters, secluded beaches and forest!
Day 1: Marahau Shelter to Anchorage Campsite
12.4km / 4 Hours
Day 2: Anchorage Campsite to Bark Bay Campsite
11.5km / 4 Hours (+ side trip to Cleopatra's Pool & Cascade Falls)
Day 3: Bark Bay Campsite to Awaroa Campsite
13.5km / 4 Hours
Day 4: Awaroa Campsite to Whariwharangi Bay Campsite
16.9km / 5.5 Hours
Day 5: Whariwharangi Bay Campsite to Wainui Bay
5.7km / 2 Hours (+ side trip to Taupo Point)
Animation by Chunk: www.chunkmotion.design/
More Hike Info: tinyurl.com/y2yu6tg5
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[@user-dg6gy5qg6d]

Beautiful videography and just the right amount of commentary. Thanks for identifying the birds, including the history, and reminding us of our greater connections! Looking forward to more 😊

[@stevewickmagician]

Left or right? Always take the scenic route. Thanks for sharing this amazing hike in a beautiful part of the world. Greatly appreciated!!

[@The.Midnight.Rambler]

This is gorgeous. A real step up in production but importantly just more of you on the trail. Keep it up 🙂

[@settohike]

Thank you!! I did find myself talking to the camera more on this trip, must of been because no one was around to hear me 😂

[@danielphillips2855]

I felt compelled to watch this mutiple times. Inititially to send your closing words to my brother to vibe his day. But honestly, i have been watching your work go from strength to strength and im always in awe of how captivating your presence and efforts move me to my core. Honestly that final speech rocked me. The whole video is perfection. You're a true auteur. Thankyou for making the probably tedious efforts of getting the angles and editing and everything absolutley spot on. Absolutely inspiring. Much peace and love! Looking forward to your channel blowing up and giving you opportunities to go everywhere and experience all of it. Cheerio from a half kiwi guy from WA who is figuring out how to do as you do. Seriously, wow. Your work is above and beyond. I have much to learn. I truly enjoy your adventures, they make my week amd give me tools and inspiration to learn to live and love in and of nature. Thankyou. So much thankyou! ❤❤

[@ervinslens]

Such a atmospheric presentation my friend, this looks and sounds spectacular! Bravo 👏

[@angelicamason1650]

Beautiful video thank you Hayley.

[@settohike]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@johnbradley1599]

That was lovely Haley. Thank you.

[@settohike]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@mikemoran3348]

This is a terrific walk. Did it with my family when my youngest daughter was 6 She walked all the way and carried her own sleeping bag. We tented so carried a fair bit of kit for 3 daughters Had glorious weather and finished at totaranui which we subsequently camped over summer for the next 8 years

[@settohike]

What a lovely family trip!! Hopefully your daughters have the hiking bug. Totaranui seemed like a popular end point. I'd like to visit the area again one day. :)

[@simonseas]

Awesome footage, informative and so easy to watch, just filling me with wanderlust. Need to visit NZ again, one day! Thanks for making this and sharing it with the world.

[@TheWeatherSpotters]

Amazing video. What a great hike.

[@JasonPleaner]

Spectacular hike Hayley. We've got a lot to answer for at our Aussie camp sites compared to the NZ sites! So two questions come to mind... Surely that water you swan in was FREEZING!? And secondly... Where's Dougie??😊

[@justlife6962]

Loved this one, really well done. Looked beautiful, so keen to get over there!

[@peteranderson6172]

Brave lady hicking in the cold winter Great job on the camera !! Very professional!!

[@dannyp133]

Absolutely Beautiful trekking location Ms Hayley. It was a shame the mouse wanted to ventilate your pack and tent tho. Lil critters are a curious bunch for sure. Loved the shades and gold chain on the feathered friend too😂 Thank you for sharing and take care of yourself. See ya next time 👍🏻😃

[@angelacraw2907]

Fantastic video, thanks for posting. It brought back such good memories of our numerous visits and tramps there. I remember that we ate some green lip mussels from near the last hut, looking out at the sea, beautiful.

[@settohike]

It's always interesting seeing other peoples videos/photos from a hike where things look similar yet different. Glad I could aid in recalling some memories! Those mussels sound delicious! 🙂

[@butsorry3836]

Thank you 💙

[@paulmchalw1510]

Hey Hayley, glad you made it out to Taupo point. Great video, you did the park justice. Paulie at Whariwharangi 😊

[@Kikikikiki1234]

Beautiful solo trekking 👍

[@richinderbyshire4779]

Hi. 16:50 To see you do that after Ive just watched my fav film made me nervous... My fav film is JAWS. Beautifully shot and edited vid. Thankyou.

[@settohike]

haha! Maybe thats a hiking tip for this track: Don't watch Jaws prior to leaving :P Thank you!!

[@agatho00]

I was waiting for a new video of yours. This was great, thank you! :)

[@HolisticHikes]

Really great video. Your landscape is so interesting to us, over there in NZ. Like a combo of many different areas! Your voice is relaxing so the narration is wonderful!

[@PeteBlaxter]

Congrats- you chose my fav Anchorage tent site

[@settohike]

haha all that tent site scouting proved to be good!

[@richardcaldwell9160]

Bravo, Set To Hike, this was epic- Thank you.

[@toocleanpappas5397]

That looked fun! My friends and I call them Mini Bears, and after having mice at two sites in a row that were 30 miles apart my friend said, "Yeah, mice do 30's." Tenacious Tape will work on the mesh if you put a piece on both sides and stick them together. Not sure about the pack though, maybe some DCF tape. Good luck, and great video!

[@settohike]

haha I think I'll call them mini bears from now on. They also kind of have the same shape ears 😛 What are the odds of running into them on two consecutive nights. Yeah I ended up putting on some of that tape when I got home its holding up well so far! Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@ichieworms]

Inspiring!!

[@settohike]

💚😀

[@ichieworms]

@@settohike you must've have a lot of endurance setting up your camera and walking back to get it 😂

[@ryandel]

This is awesome

[@AaronGrayOutdoors]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

[@settohike]

Thank you so much!! 🙂🙂

[@dimitriperies7855]

Brilliant. Oh, and x-mid for the win!

[@settohike]

thank you! Team sage! haha :)

[@megalicious7757]

You're a great storyteller :)

[@armondoman]

Excellent video and commentary. You folks down under have it together with huts and water available at most stops. Gonna start working on a Visa. Thanks for what you do!

[@DanLacroix]

Amazing shots, thanks for sharing!

[@RaeInTime]

Another amazing video!!❤ 9:50 I would love to see a video detailing all the various stretches you do during hikes & also what you do in between hikes to stay ready for the next one. 😊👍

[@settohike]

Thanks so much! I am definitely no professional when it comes to stretching or exercising but thank you I will get to making a video like this! 🙂

[@deardetour3776]

Starting to plan my own the must do hikes when I visit. So thankyou for all the inspiration. Also loving all your camera work in this video!

[@settohike]

So glad I can help with some of the inspiration! Thanks so much!! 😊

[@helllivestream]

классное видео!

[@bnpp]

Loved video well done

[@settohike]

Thanks so much!! :)

[@backpackingadventuressweden]

Great video!

[@cavemanNCC1701]

Love your choice of music and the Dr.Who reference . Tom Baker was my favorite . 😁😁😁

[@settohike]

Thank you! Hahah I thought about cutting the Dr Who line but i'm glad it went through to someone like yourself! 😄 Hiking/Dr Who might be a small niche 😂

[@vibinggood22]

So you can easily survive.....in a 'Cast Away' movie like situation. 😱 I also wanna do it...but I'm tiny bit afraid. Ur so talented.❤

[@mrt7121]

And? was operation Passion Fruit a success? Great video and a nice trip down memory lane. I walked the Able Tasman back in 2009. Was surprised how little I recognised until I figured out I walked it in the reverse direction. My main memory was a 4 year old Swiss girl crying out for her "Mutter" in the huts EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. Go the camping option! Other then the mouse attack does the Durston hold up OK in "challenging weather"? It always looks a little too light weight for my liking.

[@settohike]

haha operation passionfruit was a success (an expensive success :P) It's funny how much the track changes when you walk in the opposite direction. What a joyous core memory you have there! I still cant believe I had the campsites all to myself! It definitely holds up in the rain. Ive had a few nights where id say it was super windy, and it held up well so long as the guy lines were out/ the height was lowered a little so less wind gets underneath. It also has other loops around the bottom which you could bring spare cord/pegs if you needed. It hasn't been to any snow or tornado trips yet so I cant say on that part, but so far its been an amazing tent!

[@tangoduck01]

Awesome walk and video Hayley!

[@settohike]

Thanks for watching!! 😄

[@petervaneeden3651]

Awesome video well done, love your smile Hayley. One of my favorite spots Abel Tasman. Great Barrier Island off Auckland is beautiful and Stewart Island (weka and kiwi canbe spotted) Southland too.

[@scubahiker]

A great trail telling, and video work! Cheers!

[@ScottyD_NZ]

Fantastic video, thank you for showcasing our country!

[@thirstymercfan]

Fantastic video Hayley the editing is brilliant. Wow can’t believe no other people staying at the campsites, I would think it’s a great time to do the Abel Tasman away from the pesky sand lies at summer time. Lots like it was a fab hike 😊 that mouse tho 😂

[@settohike]

Thanks so much! Yeah there were still people about on the track but they were all staying in the huts. I really enjoyed having the campsites to myself! 🙂 Haha the mouse was just there for destruction and not food 😂

[@thirstymercfan]

@@settohike the huts on the great walks are so packed it’s difficult to sleep, I’ve done the routeburn and Milford tracks. Warmer weather I prefer to camp I like it 💖🌸

[@MrYouu7]

You are really good ! i was lost in the beauty of your video/music , editting-harmony and the efforts you put in it. I also couldn't believe that it was a 37 min video, i thought that i only watched for 5-10 min , i wished it was longer ! Thank you for sharing this, you're a champ ! this will be my next hike.

[@aaronbensemann2880]

Very cool such an amazing video

[@daver7867]

your pronounciation of maori place names is really good. what insane views. and the weka so curious.

[@settohike]

I got my friend to record himself saying the Maori names then I play his recording just before I record my voice haha but I still worry I cannot pronounce them, so thank you! haha

[@robertdean1579]

Great video! What time of year were you there? Were the biting insects bad? Your mouse experience reminded me of when I backpacked the Grand Canyon with my brother years ago, one of my first backpacking trips. We divided up the food between our two packs. I had a loaf of bread in mine. A mouse got into my pack and ate a small hole through the entire loaf of bread!

[@seanhounslow1313]

Amazing. More power to you

[@phuongngoc142]

Thanks for the inspiring and relaxing video. I'm motivated to hike to keep fit and re-connect with the nature. I also enjoy the BGM.

[@lolo-de1qb]

Nice footages, nice explain and even a nice story board. Keep it up!

[@UmeshPerera]

Wow Hayley, Thank you for your beautiful, beautiful, amazing, calming, honest creation. I more than thoroughly enjoyed. Your presence, informative calming commentary, your outstanding cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. But most of all I think I already know you a little, an amazing beautiful person, thank you. Much love & metta, ❤️🙏☺️, umesh :)

[@JB_FLYA69669]

Great video you have inspired me to go here

[@grierfamily5az618]

Your camera work and informative video was fabulous. I will be here in two weeks…. Your video gave me great confidence and anticipation 😊

[@settohike]

Aww thank you so much! I hope you have a lovely trip! 🙂

[@taniarae6508]

These are so cleverly created, I just love them. Kia ora! :)

[@settohike]

Thank you, thats very kind! 😁 The next hike video will be the Pinnacles Walk. I'm just up do doing the sound for it which is my least favourite part 😂

[@shelleymartin1775]

Another amazing video. I love them.

[@settohike]

💚💚

[@CanHike]

Fantastic videography Hayley. I was sorry to see the holes in your tent and pack but it still seems a great first solo trip. Your dinners looked yummy, are these ones that you have previously made videos of? Cheers !

[@settohike]

Thank you! I ended up putting some of that gear aid tape on when I got home, seams to be holding up so far! They sure were! I had the Honey Beef Stir-fry and 3 Pepper Pasta which i've filmed the videos of. One of the nights I just had one of those alfredo pasta packets, I cant even remember what I ate on the final night 😂

[@CanHike]

The honey beef stirfry really does look delicious and with the increasing cost of freeze- dried meal pouches, I’m going to shop for a dehydrator today.

[@geofflewis8599]

..Well done!..

[@samudrachannel3969]

Pemandangan yang sangat indah dan asri

[@milmaxxx]

You are Amazing and Brave

[@tracegezzelig]

Wow! Beautiful pictures and video, great editing! I love that you are “keeping it real” in heaps of places too. Also, why didn’t you stay in the huts? Isn’t that the main attraction to hiking in NZ? Great huts!!

[@settohike]

Thank you! haha yeah, I think I enjoy the little bit of privacy that you get from camping, (I also don't really go camping outside of hiking so I look forward to setting up my tent! But I have mixed it up a little on other NZ hikes, the huts are definitely amazing!!

[@paulbond4812]

Thanks for your fine video which reminds me of many trips to Bark Bay and Awaroa in the Kahurangi Park .There is a "Kahurangi" song on youtube which you might like to hear . Cheers.

[@debs_hiking_journey]

Wow Hayley, this was worth the wait, thank you so much, one of your best videos. I love how much info you have in this one and being able to see the camp sites. I'm going to book for next year on Tuesday 🤞 wish me luck. Oh what's the book like? Do you recommend it? Cheers Deb

[@settohike]

My first thought was "Its raining how am I going to film enough footage" haha. Thank you so much!! I'll pray to the booking gods when you are booking 😄 I would 10000 percent recommend Why We Sleep. My view is that it should be a prerequisite to read this book if you are a human being, you'll definitely get something out of it!

[@debs_hiking_journey]

@@settohike it's going on my book list now 😁 thank you

[@lovelotuslife]

Awesome trekking and must say falling in love with the background music! Did you compose? I wanted to hear more of the artist but could not figure out who 😅

[@dandaman_21]

Fantastic video, thoroughly enjoyed it and feeling very inspired! Did you enjoy going solo? I recently did the Cooloola Great Walk solo and thought i'd really enjoy the isolation but found it a bit much by day 3 of seeing no one else at all. Check out the Cooloola track though, it's gorgeous! :)

[@settohike]

Thanks so much! I have heard of the Cooloola Great Walk but have never really looked into it. How was it for navigating by yourself? Didn't loose your way at any point? I find the same that around day 3-4 I start to feel a bit lonely haha I wonder if there is an amount of days you go for where it comes back around and you start to like being solo again. :)

[@dandaman_21]

@@settohike I had the trail downloaded on Alltrails so I used that whenever I got a bit unsure, that said it's a really well marked trail with plenty of signs, so I reckon I would have been alright even if I didnt. Yeah, I was really surprised by my reaction to be honest! I think it was on the harder longer days, I feel like you tend to bounce off each other and pick each other up, so if I was having a tough time of it, it was all on me haha. The scenery is amazing though, some really special places, a little bit of logistics at the start and finish but nothing too crazy, just shoot me a message if you need any further info! I so know what you mean about the food thing too, I was obsessed with a chicken schnitty for the last two days, luckily the surf club at Rainbow beach absolutely delivered! 😆

[@ashlynchan4307]

Hey there! Awesome video, it has inspired me to do the Abel Tasman walk also - I'm planning to go next March :) Where did u get the fuel for your alcohol stove from? Do they have it at Nelson? I'm not from NZ and probably that will be the biggest logistics issue when planning for the trip! Thanks.

[@settohike]

Thank you :) I’m so happy to hear it has inspired you! I use Methylated Spirits as fuel. Usually all the supermarkets will have it. On this trip I went to Countdown in Nelson. In NZ it’s purple coloured but in Australia it’s clear, so that confused me at first haha. They also sell it in hardware stores (like Bunnings) and I would imagine service stations would sell it as well. I’d say it’s easier to get your hands on then a gas canister! I’ve only ever seen it in 1L bottles so I will just put some in my little fuel bottle and leave the rest behind.

[@user-in5qu5im7c]

Awesome video Hayley. Would you mind sharing what time of the year you hiked Abel Tasman? We're trying to decide on the best time to do it. Many thanks 🙂

[@nate-beard]

wow...

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Nice

[@settohike]

😀

[@michelleburt4198]

Another great vid! Can I ask what month you did this in? ❤

[@settohike]

Thank you! 😊 This was actually March last year, i'm glad the weather hadn't turned cold yet!!

[@b.j.n.g.354]

GREAT.@@settohike

[@Timeouttreks]

Hi Haley. We met on the Wild South Coast Way in SA. I have just put the Video of our trip up on my channel (Time out treks). Cheers Ray

[@settohike]

Hi Ray! It was lovely to meet you! Thanks for sharing, I will check it out and relive the hike from the opposite direction! :)

[@NZLight]

Inspiring video and must have taken a lot of time to walk back and forth to film the footage of you doing the hike. When did you do the hike as there is no one around. In Feb the Abel Tasman is busy!.

[@settohike]

Thanks so much! It sure does add a lot of extra time to film, i'm usually pretty exhausted by the end of the day! This was filmed in March 2022. So I think only Australians were allowed to fly into New Zealand at that point. No other international tourists. There were still plenty of people staying in the huts but it was a joy to have the campsites to myself!

[@AllBlacksRWC2011]

Fantastic video. Thank you. One slight correction though; in the description you say Abel Tasman Park is at the top of the North Island but it actually the South Island. Cheers.

[@settohike]

Thanks for watching! 😁 hahah oh dear thank you for picking up on that, obviously wasn’t thinking clearly when writing the description! 🤣

[@AllBlacksRWC2011]

I'm a Kiwi living in Aus and your videos make me homesick. Really well done and very watchable. I'm pleased to see you give helpful instructions as to what equipment to take hiking. I'm a fan.

[@eric_festinger]

I cannot understand why we are so retarded in France regarding hiking 😒 For sure, we have a lot of maintained trails but no campsites like you have in NZ or in some other places in the world. How does it work? Do you have to pay something, like an annual fee or a per-trek fee? Another (unrelated) question: why do go with your regular X-Mid instead of your newer X-Mid Pro? And before I forget: that video of yours was gorgeous 🤩

[@settohike]

Oh really that surprises me. Yeah usually if a campsite has any kind of facilities like a drop toilet or water tank then you have to pay per site, per night. Sometimes per person, all depends on the different hikes. The Great Walks in New Zealand will always be a bit more expensive because of their 'status/popularity' Australia has a similar setup. Haha good spotting! My xmid pro is only fairly new so I didnt own it at the time I did this hike, otherwise I would of taken it! Thanks so much for watching! 😊

[@eric_festinger]

@@settohike We also have campsites (named "campings") in France, but they are usually bigger, more structured, usually in towns/villages, and more and more filled with RVs rather than tents. Unfortunately I can't think of anything like you have, simple, and in remote places.

[@scottandchels6813]

Nice, I'm doing this track with my kid's next week. What time of the year did you do it?

[@craigtaylor1969]

Hi Hayley, you've done an awesome job with your video. I am about to hike the Abel Tasman in the opposite direction in October. Did you have any problems with sandflies? I hear they are a pain on this hike.

[@settohike]

Nice one! There were a few sandflies about (but not too many to be annoying) I reckon I came away with maybe 8 bites on me haha. I did this track in March, not sure if that made a difference.

[@wendys9057]

How do you go with your sleeping pad getting wet in the rain? Is it easy to dry it off?

[@PatagoniaTrekking]

Hey Hayley! At minute 8:11 you place a piece of fabric on the ground. is it tyvek?

[@settohike]

You are correct, it’s Tyvek :)

[@adelevickers2120]

Wondering which month you hiked this track? , not many people on it.

[@b.j.n.g.354]

DEAR HAYLEY ; THIS IS A TOTALLY AMAZING GREAT SUPER WONDERFUL SUPERB SPECIAL EXTRA-SPECIAL EXTRAORDINARY OPTIMISTIC POSITIVE UPLIFTING POSITIVE-ENERGY GOOD-ENERGY GREAT-ENERGY HAPPY JOYFUL VIDEO PODCAST OF THE ABEL JANSZOON TASMAN NATIONAL PARK. HAYLEY , YOU ARE A VERY GREAT PERSON. STAY STRONG. STAY HEALTHY. -BRIAN JOSEPH NOAH.

[@settohike]

Haha operation Passionfruit was indeed a success! (although an expensive success 😛 ) Its funny how a track can feel so different just by hiking in the opposite direction. That sounds like a joyous core memory to have haha I still cannot believe I had all the campsites to myself it was amazing! Definitely holds up in rain and i've also had a few nights that i would consider super windy, where as long as the guy lines are out and the height of the tent is lowered a little it was perfectly fine. Its also got a few other loops around the bottom that you could attach extra rope if you needed to. But if im ever in a more drastic weather i'll let you know :)

[@teresaoyarzun7518]

OMG! Absolutely captivating, your filming is awesome and how you put your vlog together tells the story brilliantly,I hope u end up kicking butt with this channel.

[@settohike]

Thank you! I really appreciate it! :D Haha I hope so too, I dream of having one of those silver youtube plaques on my office wall 😂