Today, my itinerary includes exploring caves and captivating sacred springs within Abel Tasman National Park. I rose early at 7 am as the two women in my dorm needed to depart. The initial lady, who had snored loudly yet elegantly the previous night, left in silence. However, the other, Birgit, attempted to be discreet but wasn’t successful. Her frequent entrances into the dorm, a total of 20 times, were quite disruptive. Once she finally left, I managed to catch some more sleep and woke up around 9 am.
Morning Rituals at the Hostel
I indulged in a lengthy and refreshing shower, enjoying the solitude of the empty hostel, haha. Following my shower, I completed the check-out process and received my deposit back. Seeking information about the Abel Tasman National Park, I inquired with the woman at the reception. Unfortunately, she couldn’t provide the details I needed and recommended visiting the I-site center, the information center organization in New Zealand.
Tourist Information and Cruise Booking
After 10 pm, I headed to the I-site center, where I received assistance from one of the friendly employees. The level of hospitality and information provided everywhere is remarkable. Although I have no reference for the tourist information in my own country, here in Australia and New Zealand, it’s fantastic. They generously provide maps for every need, and I absolutely love it. Anticipating great weather tomorrow, I booked a tour, and today’s sunshine and beautiful weather got me even more excited. It’s worth noting that, until now, Google has always been accurate in predicting the weather.
I scheduled a cruise for tomorrow, which would navigate along the coast of the Abel Tasman National Park. Today’s plan involved exploring some attractions within the park. Traveling north, I covered 15 kilometers before entering the national park, where the road started to ascend. After navigating a few bends and capturing some scenic pictures, my initial stop was at the Hawkes Lookout.
Spectacular Views at Hawkes Lookout
I visited the restroom and strolled along the short trail leading to the lookout. The vantage point offered delightful views, allowing me to observe the coastline and even catch a glimpse of Motueka. It was fascinating to see the roads I had recently traveled just a few minutes ago.
After savoring the scenery for about 10 minutes, I returned to my car and indulged in a banana and a coke. Around 11:30 am, I made the decision to explore my first-ever limestone caves, located just 3 kilometers north of my current location – the Ngarua Caves. Guided tours were available every hour.
Exploration of Ngarua Caves
I arrived promptly, finding no other visitors in sight. Purchasing a $15 ticket, the woman instructed me to wait at the cave entrance. As the sole visitor, the staff appeared somewhat disappointed, presumably anticipating more revenue. Nonetheless, I found myself treated to a personalized guided tour – a unique experience!
Over millions of years, these caves evolved, maintaining a consistent atmosphere that facilitated the preservation of the bones of a rare bird. The guide elaborated on the extinct Moa bird, and I even had the chance to hold one of its bones. The weight and strength of the bone were both remarkable.
Discovered by Mr. Everett in 1876, this cave was found by accident when he fell into a sinkhole. Stretching about 300 meters in length, the guide shared abundant information with me during the tour. I had the opportunity to touch various rocks, and at one stone, the impact of human oils was evident in the discoloration of the touch area. The constant development of stalactites and stalagmites was visible, with drops of water still falling, contributing to the buildup of calcium carbonate. Over millions of years, some stalactites and stalagmites had fused together, creating a truly amazing sight.
A Walk Amidst Sinkholes
Upon ascending a stairway after 300 meters, we emerged outside, close to the road I had driven down to reach the cave. As we strolled along a path, sinkholes dotted the landscape like hidden landmines. The guide elaborated on how these formations were shaped gradually over time through the process of erosion. Truly amazing.
Returning to the main building, I penned my thoughts in their guest book before bidding farewell. The entire visit had been an extraordinary experience.
Leaving the area, I resumed my journey deeper into Abel Tasman national park. Another 40 kilometers lay ahead before I would reach my destination, and the drive took an hour and 30 minutes. The initial 20 kilometers involved winding bends through mountains, a part of the journey I found challenging. Eventually, my wish for straight roads was granted, and I cruised at 100 kilometers per hour towards my destination: the Waikoropupu Springs.
Enchanting Visit to Waikoropupu Springs
After parking the car, I made a quick stop at the restroom. Equipped with a coke and a cookie, I embarked on the track. The information sign indicated a 45-minute duration, but I briskly descended. The path leading to the springs was impeccably maintained and exceptionally scenic. Wooden sidewalks traversed over the river, allowing a clear view of the remarkably transparent water. Regrettably, the pictures don’t fully capture the beauty due to the cloudy conditions. With a bit of sunshine, the photos would have been more captivating.
Upon reaching the springs, a surge of exhilaration washed over me—a true sense of discovery in an extraordinary place. The clarity of the water and the springs themselves were breathtaking. Witnessing water emerge directly from the ground felt like a magical revelation, a phenomenon reminiscent of what one observes in swimming pools.
Encountering the clearest springwater in the world is another tale I could share on my deathbed, a thought that brought a chuckle. As I proceeded, I reached the final spring, which surpassed the beauty of the others. Enchanting plants adorned the center of this particular spring.
Sacred Waters and Final Reflections
I felt a sense of joy being present in this extraordinary place. The sheer magic of the moment, unfortunately, eludes the confines of a photograph. I comprehend why this locale held sacred significance for the aboriginals of New Zealand, with strict prohibitions against touching or consuming the water. A minor disappointment, but understandable.
Following the final spring, I pressed on. The trail formed a loop, ensuring I returned to the car park within a mere 10 minutes. Despite a lingering curiosity to explore one more attraction within the national park, I made the pragmatic choice to call it a day. Fatigue set in, and considering the nearly two-hour drive back, it seemed like a sensible decision.
Return Journey and Overnight Stay Dilemma
I covered a distance of 60 kilometers on my return journey and opted to bypass Motueka, choosing instead to spend the night in Kaiteriteri. The decision stemmed from the fact that my boat departure for a 4-hour hike along the coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park was scheduled from this quaint port village the next day. As I reflected on the preceding days, fatigue crept in, and the thought of embarking on a 4-hour hike left me with a touch of regret.
Upon my late afternoon arrival in the town of Kaiteriteri, I secured a commercial campsite for 20 dollars—an expense that seemed unnecessary as I later decided to drive back to Motueka, a mere 15 kilometers away. After parking my car, I took a moment to unwind. Engaging in a few chapters of my book, Game of Thrones, I eagerly awaited the onset of darkness. Once it was sufficiently dark, I indulged in some episodes of How I Met Your Mother on my laptop while simultaneously working on my reports.
About an hour later, I gathered my belongings and headed to the toilet building. Seizing the opportunity, I plugged in my laptop and phone to charge while taking my time performing various tasks, from brushing my teeth to cutting my nails. I even enjoyed two extended showers. As the rain poured outside, I couldn’t help but reflect on the peculiar contrast between my current situation and the normalcy unfolding back home—here I was, in a building at night, deliberately killing time to charge my laptop, while everyone back home was just starting their day.
Preparations and Unforeseen Chocolate Retrieval
Upon returning to my car, I opted to take a drive around. My destination was Motueka, where I intended to refuel and prepare my car for the upcoming plans. After my hike the next day, the plan was to drive to Nelson. Subsequently, the day after, I needed to be in Picton—another 100 kilometers from Nelson—as that was the port town from which my ferry would depart.
Upon reaching Motueka, I realized I had left my chocolate at the hostel. I headed straight to the hostel, inquired about retrieving my belongings from the refrigerator, and was given the green light. After grabbing my stuff, I encountered Birgit, whom I had assumed had already checked out but was still in Motueka. Following a fuel stop at the gas station, I returned to Kaiteriteri. The night was spent watching a movie and indulging in snacks. Unfortunately, I retired to bed around midnight, despite the early wake-up call for a four-hour hike the next day.
