Gibbs Hill to Whariwharangi Bay Loop Track

From the Tōtaranui camp office, follow the avenue road and then Abel Tasman Coast Track past the Ngarata Homestead north towards Anapai.

At 1.4 km, just past the concrete bridge, turn left at the start of the Gibbs Hill track. The track crosses a ford before a 3 km long uphill section begins which has steep sections. At the ridge and next intersection, turn right to Gibbs Hill.

Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes for the climb to the hill top.

Follow the track down the hill until you get to a track junction. Stick to the right to head down to Whariwharangi Bay. It takes about an hour to get to Whariwharangi Bay from the top of Gibbs Hill.

Follow the Coast Track back to Tōtaranui past Mutton Cove and Anapai Bay. Allow 3 hours to get from Whariwharangi to Tōtaranui.

All tracks to Gibbs Hill from Tōtaranui, Pigeon Saddle or the Coast Track above Wainui Bay are first and foremost fire access routes. For the most part they cross either open country or arid, scruffy, gorse/mānuka regeneration.

Views along the ridgeline are superb. You can see from Nelson round to D’Urville Island, to Farewell Spit (with Mt Taranaki on clear winter days) and Golden Bay.

Nelson to Tōtaranui is about two and a half hours. Take SH6 south out of Nelson and turn onto SH60 (the Coastal Highway) once past Richmond. Follow SH60 over the Takaka Hill to Takaka.

From Takaka follow signs to Pohara and Tata Beach, which will lead you past the Abel Tasman Memorial and onto Tōtaranui. The last 12 km is a narrow, winding, unsealed road.

No water

There is no water anywhere along the ridges of Gibbs Hill. There is water in Whariwharangi and at campsites along the Coast Track.

Wasps

Wasps are a possible hazard and are more common from December until April. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.

Rubbish

Day visitors must take out their own rubbish.

Giardia

Giardia has been found in some park waters. It can be removed from drinking water by boiling, filtering or chemical treatment. All tap water at Tōtaranui is filtered.