Media release

19 December 2012

Southern Abel Tasman coast and Totaranui campground open

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is open from Marahau to Awaroa, and Totaranui campground is open though with boat access only for the next three months.

Those wishing to go ahead with planned camping holidays at Totaranui can still get there via Abel Tasman water transport operators or private boat.

The Totaranui and Awaroa roads are closed due to a large number of slips blocking these roads following last week’s high rainfall in Nelson-Tasman. Tasman District Council advises it is expected to take three months to clear the slips and for these roads to reopen.

Huts and campsites in the southern coastal part of the park up to and including Awaroa are also open.

A temporary track has been created around a lengthy slip on the coast track between Onetahuti and Tonga Quarry that is not recommended for day walkers. This section of track is fairly steep and difficult and tramping boots should be worn.

DOC staff are working as quickly as possible to clear slips that have closed the coast track north of Awaroa through to Wainui. It is hoped to have track between Awaroa and Totaranui and Wainui and Whariwharangi open by Christmas but it is uncertain if the track between Whariwharangi and Totaranui will be cleared by his time.

Waiharakeke campsite, north of Totaranui, is open but with boat access only. Whariwharangi Hut and campsite and Mutton Cove and Anapai campsites are closed but staff are working to reopen them as soon as possible.

Some of 72 campers stranded at Totaranui campground due to the road closure have left by boat over the weekend. Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles is offering a service to campers wishing to leave to barge them and their vehicles out of Totaranui to Tarakohe but due to rough sea conditions from a south-easterly wind this hasn’t been possible today.

Abel Tasman National Park has sustained the most damage with Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes national parks less affected. There has been minor damage in some reserves which DOC staff are also working to repair. DOC staff though are still assessing damage in Nelson-Tasman conservation areas.

The Department of Conservation is recommending people check with DOC visitor centres in Nelson and St Arnaud, DOC offices and i-SITEs in the region and the DOC website www.doc.govt.nz to get up to date information on tracks and conditions in conservation areas.

The Heaphy Track is open. SH60 between Takaka and Collingwood is now open but with one lane only around a large slip at Birds Hill. This allows road access to and from the Heaphy Track in Golden Bay but drivers are advised to expect delays.

ENDS

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