About Totaranui

Totaranui is a beautiful golden beach in the Abel Tasman. It's a great place to relax on the beach, swim, kayak, fish or explore native bush on one of the nearby tracks.

Totaranui a very special place to us as we have spent a lot of time there together over the last 10 years. Stacey has been to Totaranui with her family almost every year from when she was just 3 months old!

On 31/12/17 while camping at Totaranui, we went on an adventure to Kaiteri where we caught a boat up to Medlands Beach and walked to Anchorage via the beautiful Cleopatra's pool. It was on this walk that Doug proposed!

D.O.C. has loads of great info about Totatarnui and the wider Abel Tasman on their webiste https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/campsites/totaranui-campground/

In the area
The nearest shops are in the settlement of Pohara, a 25 minute drive away. Pohara has a shop, takeaways and a good choice of cafes.

Takaka is the nearest town (45 min away) and has a supermarket, petrol stations, information centre, banks, cafes and restaurants, museum, art and craft galleries and a movie theatre.

Awaroa Lodge is a 1.5 hour walk south on the Abel Tasman Coast Track or a short boat ride away, and is open daily with both a cafe and restaurant.

Things to do:

• Cool off with a swim or snorkel in the clear waters at Totaranui beach or take the kids for a swim in the safe waters of the estuary when the tide is in.
• Explore one of the several short walks in the area such as the Puketea Walk. This 30 minute botanical ramble takes you through some superb native bush, the only part of Totaranui to escape fire and axe during the days of farming development.
• Take one of the longer walks in the area such as the Headlands Track. This 1 hour walk offers great views over Totaranui.
• Totaranui is ideal for water activities, so bring your kayak and explore the estuary. Or bring your boat and go waterskiing or head out to find a perfect fishing spot. 
• Walk south along the coast to Goat Bay and on to Awaroa, where you can have a leisurely lunch at the Awaroa Lodge, then walk or catch a boat back to Totaranui.
• Plan a day out with one of the Water Taxi companies - boat to a nearby beach, walk to the next beach, boat home again. Some companies also do kayak hire, so you can be dropped off and kayak for 2 hours, then be collected and brough back to Totaranui.

 

Some important things to note about Totaranui camp ground:

• The camp office is open from 8am - 4pm and has maps of nearby walks, water taxi information and other adventures you can go on including Kayaking days etc.  It also sells items including insect repellent, stamps, postcards, phone cards, gas canisters, candles, ice, sunscreen and snack items.
• There is a pay phone that takes Spark phone cards only.
• If you decide to camp, please be aware Totaranui is working toward being completely rubbish free by 2025, so all rubbish and recycling must be taken away with you. All wedding day related rubbish and homestead rubbish will be taken care of by us.
• The gate at the camp entrance is locked overnight.  1 October to 31 March opening times: 7.30 am to 8.30 pm
• Fires, including solid fuel BBQ's are only to be used in the fireplaces provided, bring your own firewood, it is no longer sold at the office. Gas cookers and BBQ's may be used outside these areas.
• No dogs or any other animals, including in vehicles.
• No unauthorised use of drones.
• Mobile phone coverage is unreliable at Totaranui, pay phones are onsite and prepaid cards are available from the camp office.