New track around Abel Tasman Coast Track slip

October 31st, 2012

The Department of Conservation is working to re-route a section of the Abel Tasman Coast Track around a large landslip on the track south of Totaranui.

The new section of track, about one kilometre long, should be ready for use in mid-December.

Coast track walkers in the meantime are taking alternative routes between Goat Bay and Totaranui where the track is temporarily closed due to the slip being impassable and dangerous. Water taxis can be taken between Goat Bay and Totaranui or people can walk on roads between Awaroa and Totaranui.

DOC Golden Bay Area Manager John Mason said the new re-routed section of the Abel Tasman National Park track would be constructed on the ridge above the slip by Skinner Point.

'Landslip damage to this area of track first occurred in the heavy rainfall that hit Nelson Tasman last December. We were able to restore the track but then further slippage caused the closure of this part of the track in September. The slip has grown larger since then with the land above it being very unstable and continuing to slide.

'We are allowing water taxis to pick up and drop off passengers at Goat Bay though it is not usually permitted there so they can ferry walkers past this temporarily closed section of the track.

'We are working to have the new re-routed track in place and the coast track fully open in time for the busy summer holiday period.'

>> , to be added to the page. [If this link doesn't work, use this form instead]

[ Return ]