Bark Bay

Sitting on the border of Tonga Beach Marine Reserve within Abel Tasman National Park, Bark Bay (also called Wairima) is known for the reliability of its weather, offering sunshine pretty much all year round.

While that may be enough to lure sunseekers to this first-rate stretch of sand, others will be tempted by the large lagoon that offers the opportunity for safe swimming, or the chance to catch a glimpse of now reintroduced kaka, a brightly-coloured native parrot that flits through the trees backing onto the beach.

Getting its name from the fact bark was harvested from the trees here for many years, today you’ll find no such industry taking place, with no more construction than a sheltered campsite for overnight stays.

Facing the beach visitors will find a tidal estuary, while a path disappears into the tree canopy for the four kilometre walk to Bark Bay Falls.