A morning of goodbyes as Andy’s parents headed off down the East Coast on their way to Christchurch, whilst we were making our way to Abel Tasman National Park.

It proved an emotional one for Marian who tried her best to keep her tears at bay. The good news is that we will see them in late March when we eventually return to the UK.

We then started our drive through the stunning countryside to the entry point of the Abel Tasman National Park, and our nights stay in Motueka.

Once we’d arrived, we quickly dropped off our night bag at the latest B&B stop and headed into the National Park to do a coastal hike to Apple-tree Bay from Marahau.

It’s fair to say that the beaches and the ocean were some of the most beautiful, and remote, we have seen to date in New Zealand. Combined with a wonderful sunny day, it was one of those places where you could just relax and enjoy the day in a peaceful paradise.

Before starting the trek, we sat at one of the car parks next to the beach having lunch with some of the best views you could ever ask for.

The hike proved was a combination of low decked paths and more challenging hillside climbs offering up spectacular scenery and a birds eye view of the beaches below.

Given the scenery, we found ourselves having to stop ever time we went around a corner and came across another vista that cried out for a photo!

One by one we made our way past stunning beaches, all nigh on deserted and completely unspoilt, with very few signs of human life, aside from the walkers we saw along the pathways.

The walk led us down to Apple-tree beach, a long forgotten orchard where only one apple tree remains, and where the sea is a turquoise blue, reminiscent of those you see on Greek Mediterranean islands.

As we started our journey back along the path, we watched the small cruise boats going up and down the coast, one of which we have booked tomorrow to take us further up the national park headland, to walk a further section of the coastal path.

After walking for almost 3.5hrs and completing the 12km hike, we returned to our car and made our way back along the coast in search of ice cream.

We had been recommended a fruit gelato place where all the fruits are fresh and locally picked.

It’s fair to say that the ice creams were some of the best we have eaten, not just in NZ but on our whole trip. Andy went for raspberry whilst Michelle was a black cherry fan. Both were delicious.

After returning to Motueka we decided to go for one final walk, and a wander around the Port Motueka inlet trail. With the sun still bright in the sky we enjoyed a further hour taking in the local wildlife and checking out some of the fantastic houses backing onto the inland lake.

Tomorrow we return to Abel Tasman National Park for Round II of our walks along the coastal paths, a 10k walk from Torrent Bay to Bark Bay.