Northern Abel Tasman

This is the final hut on the track at Whariwharangi Bay at the north end of the Park. The oldest hut on the route, originally built by a settler who leased land off local Maori to farm. It was abandoned by the owner because the land was pretty poor for cultivating, leaving behind loads of de forested hill sides that had been cleaared for grazing. Since 1972 the land has been recovering and you can hardly see any of the signs of the previous clearing. The conservation work that goes on over here is pretty full on! This was our favourite hut on the whole track. Quiet with only a few other people sharing with us and with smaller separate rooms as opposed to larger shared dorms in the bigger more modern huts. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever experienced a more stunningly beautiful landscape in my life, but then we haven't been down to Fjordland yet... T