The Abel Tasman is one of the Great Walks in New Zealand and perhaps the easiest in that it is possible to take water taxis to and from a number of points in the walk.  This means that if you decide you can't go on there is an option out, this is not possible on most of the Great Walks, on those you either walk out or if there's a disaster, you're airlifted!  The scenery here is also stunning and it's possible to stop and swim at the beautiful beaches along the way.  The water's cold but if you're walking and hot it's not too bad.  It'll certainly wake you up!  There are also a couple of points where you can collect your own shellfish from the beach.  At the start of the track you can dig up little round cockle-like things which are perfectly safe to eat and very tasty, and at the end of the track there's a place you can collect mussels off the rocks.  Because there's so little pollution in this part of the world it's all safe to eat.

A really great hike. You can do the whole trek what takes few days or you chose a part and they drop you of with a boat. I took the part where you have to go over the swing bridge as well because that something quite nice and good for pictures :) Very worth it and also for beginners.

Fantastic trek. Spent several days hiking this trek. Appletree bay is a nice camp spot with water on 3 sides of you. Also quite deserted. Awaroa is a very nice expansive beach. You cant go wrong if you like beaches.

Absolutely fantastic place. Completely serviced by water taxis. You can kayak in, camp over night and walk out or catch a water taxi out. Go during the shoulder seasons (fall/spring) and you wont have crowds!

The town is lovely but the main thing is that is one of the points to start your trip to Abel Tasman National Park, one of the coolest most amazing place in New Zealand