Abel Tasman: Old Macdonalds Camping & Coastal Gateway

Abel Tasman: Old Macdonalds Camping & Coastal Gateway
Abel Tasman: Old Macdonalds Camping & Coastal Gateway
Abel Tasman: Old Macdonalds Camping & Coastal Gateway

Experience Summary

Old Macdonalds Camping is set on a working farm alongside the Marahau river, hidden away amongst exotic and native plantings. Marahau is the gateway to the world-famous Abel Tasman National Park coastal track — one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Owned, built and operated by the Macdonald family for over 30 years, the campsite offers a peaceful, private base from which to explore golden beaches, kayak the coastline, or walk straight onto the track.

Experience highlights

🏕️ Farm campsite alongside the Marahau river at Abel Tasman’s doorstep.

🌿 Hidden among native and exotic plantings — peaceful and private.

🚶 Walk straight onto the Abel Tasman Coast Track from camp.

Book this trip

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Plan your trip

Top tips for this trip
Arrive with time to spare — allow 60–90 minutes for campervan pickup and orientation, plus a grocery stop before heading south. Keep driving distances short — 2–3 hour hops are ideal; South Island roads wind through mountains and reward slower travel. Book Milford Sound flights early — if adding the Queenstown extension, scenic fly-cruise-fly slots fill quickly in peak season. Layer up and pack repellent — West Coast sandflies are persistent; mornings can be cool even in summer. Freedom camp responsibly — download CamperMate or Rankers apps for certified self-contained sites; always check local signage.
Best time of year
Best (Nov–Mar): NZ summer brings long daylight, warm days and reliable access to alpine passes and West Coast tracks — ideal for campervanning and walking. Shoulder (Oct, Apr): Cooler mornings and shorter days but often clear; mountain passes remain open; quieter campsites. Winter (May–Sep): Some alpine roads close or require chains; shorter days and cold nights; not recommended for campervan touring.

Why 'With a camper'?

Every experience tailored to a campervan

As campervan travelers ourselves, we understand both the delights of traveling in a motorhome and well as the smaller details (such as parking) which make it harder.

We use this knowledge to curate and design the very best experiences for you and your campervan.

Remarkable experiences you will remember

Our curated experiences are hand-picked to make your trip special. Whether it is an experience that is iconic to the destination, an inspiring place to take part in a certain activity or a visit to one of the best local restaurants, our goal is to introduce you to the experiences that you will want to write home about.

Something for every passion

We believe that campervan travel is a fantastic way to enjoy your passions.

Whether your interest hiking, cooking, architecture or to enjoy a great party we have a range of great campervan experiences to get you out traveling.

Book an individual experience or the whole trip

Our experiences come in a range of shapes and sizes. So whether you want to add an individual activity to your existing itinerary or you are looking for an end-to-end trip then we have choices for you.

Travel with your own camper or let us help you find the perfect rental

Our experiences are designed for anyone traveling in a campervan. For travelers without their van we offer various 'campervan included trips' but also the opportunity to book a van from one of our preferred van rental partners.