MARAHAU, GOLDEN BAY THINGS TO DO
- Location says it all. Marahau is mere metres from the Abel Tasman National Park’s entrance. Today the village is a significant base for tour providers with Marahau an idyllic introduction to the charms of Golden Bay, Nelson.
- Launch yourself into Abel Tasman National Park excursions with the promise of a coffee afterwards at Hooked on Marahau cafe.
- Marahau is an attractive village nestled beneath the Abel Tasman ranges. There are two safe beach areas covered in gold sand offering plenty of space for visitors to relax. The beach is the focus for swimming, picnics and people watching. Observe the flotillas of kayaks and small boats on their way to the Abel Tasman National Park throughout the summer.
WHAT TO DO NEARBY MARAHAU, GOLDEN BAY
- Grab the opportunity to get a selfie, or two of Split Apple Rock.
- Abel Tasman National Park Short walks that encompass both the coast and dip into the coastal forests
- Kayaking the coast and viewing the scenery from the water
- The sheer choice of activities available
- The variety of scenery packed into a very small space
Marahau beach has a massive tidal range resulting in water activities usually commencing with a tractor tow. Boats are towed to the waterline. The highest tidal range is 4.4 metres with a drop of 0.1 metre. At high tide, visitors can walk across the sand flats to launch their kayaks.
Marahau Beach walk. Explore Marahau on short 2 km walk along the beach on a wide firm footpath. At the northern edge of the beach is coastal woodland at the edge of the Marahau River.
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Dogs are allowed on this pathway on a leash. Length: 2 km.
Marahau has two beaches. Marahau Lagoon is formed by the sandspit creating a safe estuarine environment for kids to paddle. The ‘main’ Marahau beach is at the northern end of the village and is a long gold stretch of sandy beach. There is always action to watch from tractors being launched, people peering into tidal pools and ruffled gold low tide exposed sand.
Abel Tasman National Park’s characteristic deep gold sandy beaches are the result of weathered Separation Point granite rock (gold in colour). The granite rock overlays the limestone and marble.
Marahau is approximately 1 hour driving time from Nelson with Picton 3 ½ hours and Christchurch 5 ½ hours (one way).
WHERE IS MARAHAU, NELSON LOCATED?
Golden Bay, Nelson, on state highway 60 from Nelson follow signs to Abel Tasman National Park. After Motueka drivers will see road signs indicating Marahau. Marahau is 19 km from Motueka. Marahau is based around the Otuwhero Inlet, facing Sandy Bay and Tasman Sea.
At low tide, observe locals with buckets, wiggling their toes into the sand. People are collecting shellfish (tuatua and cockles).
When you wiggle your toes in the sand you are trying to locate a hard shell.
Hooked on Marahau is a well-known waterfront cafe and restaurant. A favourite is the packed lunches and coffee on the go for day trippers to national park. The cafe is open from October to April.
The Park Cafe serves wood-fired pizzas, local seafood and organic produce. The Park Café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8am – 5pm from September through to May.
How did Marahau get its name?
The Abel Tasman Village ,Marahau has several meanings in Maori. ‘garden with the right amount of wind’, ‘fertile land’, ‘place of strong women’ or ‘place of magic.
Within Abel Tasman National Park are a number of private baches (residents) in Torrent Bay. The dwellings are historic with no new building permits being issued. There are special restrictions for the drop-off of passengers by water taxi operators. Drop-offs can only be made before noon each day, and there can be no passenger pick-ups at all. There are tent sites at the Torrent Bay village campsite. There are about 35 homes in the Torrent Bay settlement; only a few are lived in year-round. They rarely come on the market for sale.
WANT TO STAY AWHILE IN MARAHAU?
BOOK NOW Marahau Beach Camp
POPULATION
Approximately 500 in the low season with a considerable jump in numbers in the busy summer season.
JUDGEMENT
When you next to a rockstar location, Abel Tasman National Park hospitality is part and parcel of your contribution to the charms of the area.
Every town adds to the richness of things to do and see. For more details about the region check Nelson & Nelson Region nearby attractions and events.
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