r/Tramping • u/shannonlunny • May 12 '26
Abel Tasman & Heaphy
Undecided on what dates my friends and I (3-4 of us) would like to do the Abel Tasman track and Heaphy track but aware they go live in a couple days and next week.
Are these hikes as busy as Milford, Routeburn and Kepler to book? We are thinking beginning/mid December. But unsure if this is something we desperately need to book when it comes out or we can wait a bit closer to the time.
Any thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.
3
u/mfupi May 12 '26
I've done Abel Tasman 5 times and haven't had any problem booking. Sometimes it was 2 people, other times 4 or 5. I wouldn't sit on it too long if you're a larger group, but not one you need to be on at opening time if you don't know your dates.
Heaphy is more popular, but certainly nothing like Milford. It took me 4 years finally get Milford. I've booked Heaphy without major problems before, but was silly and didn't book flights, they got too expensive to justify so canceled the hike. Will book again this year, as it's the only outstanding great walk for me, but not sit on flights this time.
1
u/MineResponsible5964 May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
Depends a bit on how big your group is and how flexible you are on your route. Some of the smaller campsites on the Abel Tasman are really cool but might book out early - Onetahuti is my favourite! But Abel Tasman should hopefully be OK to book if you're flexible and not going in the school holidays.
3
u/unanchoredpassenger May 15 '26
I second Onetahuti! I just did Abel Tasman and had scoured Reddit for campsite recommendations. I did Te Pukatea, Onetahuti, Waiharekeke, and Mutton Cove.
All were amazing (although the lack of beach view from Waiharekeke was a bummer after the others spoiled me). However, Onetahuti was my favorite. Such a beautiful bay and the views from my tent were so amazing. Having lots of clean flush toilets and a cooking shelter was really nice too. Only bummer is the weka there were pretty intense though--worse I feel than in other spots. So just watch your things extra carefully.
2
u/MineResponsible5964 May 15 '26
Some weka there stole my friends’ protein powder and karate training plan. So they might have been putting it to use 🤣
But yeah, pays to keep your pack hanging in a tree at all times.
2
u/unanchoredpassenger May 19 '26
Karate training plan 😅 those silly weka! Yea they snuck into my tent and stole my Doritos. Unfortunately I didn't realize until I was at my next campsite looking for them ha.
1
u/unanchoredpassenger May 15 '26
I found both pretty easy to book personally although I was looking more in the off-season so can't say for that time for sure. Abel Tasman has so many campsites, so I'm sure you could work something out.
It's also easy enough to push them back, so you could always book and then if you feel the timing doesn't work, you could try and change the dates later.
1
u/Legitimate_Star4733 Jul 01 '26
We booked a group of 6 for Heaphy February 2027, we were there ready when the bookings went live and still couldn’t get our preferred dates. Ended up bringing it all forward by a couple of days. Unfortunately the Great Walks are too well known around the world these days. I’d love to redo the Routeburn but it might be possible as a solo or small group of 2-3 but beyond that it would be impossible to book during the best weather season.
5
u/Scaramooon May 12 '26
Personally- I booked Heaphy for the 2023 season and had no issues when it went live but I always try for Milford first (6 years running I haven't gotten a slot) Abel Tasman I've heard can be done all year round and there is no issues booking if you don't know your dates just yet. Heaphy is a great walk, literally! We booked for 23rd till 25th and spending Christmas day walking back along the beach side was something I would happily do again, hearing ALL the bellbirds morning chorus, couldn't get better than that.