I'm going to New Zealand and probably don't have enough time to do both the Queen Charlotte Track/Marlborough Sounds and the Abel Tasman National Park. So, Thorn Tree Vote: is it worth it to diminish my time in Abel Tasman NP to see the Sounds or should I just skip it and do just the ATNP?
Thanks
Christie
bravenewscum
1
gunner_mac
My vote if time is short would be to concentrate on Able Tasman.
The Queen Charlotte track can also be mountain biked which cuts it down to two / three days for the whole thing, if you get the water taxi out to Ship Cove and bike back.
Mac
2
tby21
My vote goes to the Sounds. If you're talking tramping, then the Queen Charlotte Track is nicer than Abel Tasman Coast Track in my opinion.
But actually I would say skip both and go to Nelson Lakes instead, because it's better than either of them!
3
mainlander
The Queen Charlotte Track! Nowhere near as crowded as the AT track and a much better range of accommodation to choose from.
4
dschulia
I preferred Abel Tasman! I think you see more of the sea while walking. It's more crowded though, true.
5
jimbo_on_travels
</2 cents> Queen Charlotte Sound definitely! WAY to many people on Abel Tasman track. Less so over the other side of Takaka hill (Golden Bay, Farewell Spit). If you are in the area, I recommend checking out Harwood's Hole. I think it was on the news recently for a trapped caver...
6
darcygirlnz
I'd vote Abel Tasman too. It is more crowded, but much more scenic IMO. The sounds are nice, but don't really have beaches or when it does they're small/rocky sort of ones.
More time in AT might mean you could make it to north end of the track (north of totaranui) which is much less busy and also arguably has some of the nicest parts, or as #5 says to Golden Bay which I would also rate over the Sounds (of course I'm biased, having grown up camping in golden bay and later totaranui every year!)
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