Abel Tasman National Park.

New Zealand’s smallest national park is defined by a striking contrast between dense native forest and a coastline of golden sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. Situated at the tip of the South Island, the park is best known for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, a Great Walk that winds past granite cliffs and hidden coves like Anchorage and Bark Bay. While the hiking is world-class, the park is uniquely suited to water-based exploration; sea kayakers frequently share the bays with fur seals and dolphins, and water taxis provide easy access to remote stretches of sand. Notable landmarks include the naturally split Tokangawhā (Split Apple Rock) and the moss-lined Cleopatra’s Pools. Despite its popularity, the park maintains a wild feel, offering a sanctuary for native birdlife and some of the country's most accessible coastal scenery.