“But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass.”
― The Lord of the Rings
There aren't many interesting stops on the 4-hour drive from Westport to the Abel Tasman National Park (apart from the overall high New Zealand baseline). However, the T-Rex Tree is a low-key spot I had to check out. Just imagine the Jurassic Park music and a big roar, which I won't share here for copyright reasons.
The Buller Gorge is an actual touristic spot along the way. Apart from New Zealand's longest swing bridge, you can take a 40-minute jet boat ride through the gorge. I must admit I underestimated how fast and fun the ride would be! It feels more like a roller coaster than a boat trip.
Marahau is a small village and a popular gateway into the Abel Tasman National Park. My plan was to do a 3-hour kayak tour along the coastline, followed by 2–3 hours of hiking back. So far, my body was keeping up with my fast-paced way of travel. I've had a good run, but it was inevitable that I'd catch a cold at one point. I could probably have made it through the activity, but I didn't want the cold to linger. Instead, I only did a short walk to the nearby beach. At least I had a nice stay in what I would describe as a mix of a hostel and a camp site. There were only a couple of guests plus a friendly host, which made for a nice, small round in the evening, going beyond the usual hostel smalltalk.
The next two days, I mostly rested, but I did visit a few spots along the way.
It's usually only a few minutes from Marahau to the famous Split Apple Rock, but the road has been closed for some time due to a landslide. I didn't think the long detour was worth it, especially under the circumstances. I did go to Kaiteriteri, which has a small sand beach.
After staying a night in Nelson, I continued my island loop through the Marlborough District.
The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is a good place for a stop, with some interesting views.
From the Cullen Point / Mahaki Paoa Lookout, you can see the Pelorus Sound and the nearby town of Havelock.
Once again, I was glad I had rented a car. Even with a cold, I was able to see more of New Zealand's beautiful nature without stressing my body too much.