Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey follows the Abel Tasman Coast Track northwards from Bark Bay passing Tonga Roadstead before exploring the Awaroa Estuary. Once the tide goes out, I cross the dried estuary to Waiharakeke.
Today's Journey
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I leave Bark Bay following the Abel Tasman Coast Track northwards over the hill until descending to Tonga Beach. A kilometre offshore is Tonga Island with a protected seal colony. |
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I follow the beach a short distance away from the track to the spectacular headland of Arch Point. It has several caves running through the rock, eroded by the waves at high tide. |
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After leaving Arch Point, I take the track crossing Tonga Bluff, along Onetahuti Beach and across Tonga Saddle to where I now descend towards Awaroa Beach. From here I can see up to Totaranui and the Anapai Headlands which I will be exploring tomorrow. |
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Upon reaching the Awaroa Estuary, I follow it upstream to Awaroa Hut where I stop for lunch before exploring the estuary upstream. The tide has come in so I won't be able to cross to the other side until late this afternoon. |
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Exploring the estuary upstream as the tide continues rising filling the pristine estuary. |
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Reaching the back of the estuary where the Awaroa River flows into it. The river is too small to have filled the estuary with sediment since the sea level rose at the end of the last ice age. The tide has peaked now. |
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Salt flats are now exposed on the Awaroa estuary as I head back downstream towards the hut. |
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The tide goes completely out allowing me to cross the estuary to the other side with just a small river crossing in the middle. |
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Thick bush greets me as I follow the portage track towards the camping ground at Waiharakeke. |
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Looking back to Awaroa Heads from Waiharakeke Beach in the early evening. Tonga Saddle is behind these headlands. |
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