If you want a completely different perspective of Abel Tasman National Park, how about seeing it from the air?
This has to be one of the most breathtaking ways of seeing the vastness and the majesty of the park, without even stepping foot in it. Though, if you have already had your hiking/kayaking/sailing experience, this is a great way to see exactly where you went and how much ground you covered.
So, what’s a microlight? I hear you ask. Well, that’s a very good question my budding Biggles-wannabes.
Microlighting is a very special combination of a hang gliding wing and weight shift operation. It’s much like a traditional hang glider, but powered by a Rotex aircraft engine. So you could say it’s like hang gliding, but with a bit more punch, as you don’t have to land until you want to. But it’s still very weather dependent as if the wind is throwing its weight around a bit too much, you’ll certainly know about it!
So, without further ado, I was strapped in, with goggles and fetching helmet on and I soon started feeling the rush of wind as we sped down the runway and rose gently and steadily into the air. Wow! It happened so smoothly it kind of felt a bit surreal.
We soared high over Motueka township, watching the fishing boats bobbing at anchor at the port as the sun glistened on the water.
It was a strange feeling getting used to having my camera dangling on a makeshift necklace around my neck, because every time I took it out of the case, I felt like it was going to get buffeted away by the wind. But once I realised it was firmly attached and wasn’t going anywhere, I began to feel a bit more relaxed. Gingerly at first, I looked down at the vast expanse of sand, bush and turquoise water below me and it was only then that I got a real sense of the sheer size of the park.
However many maps I’d looked at on my kayak, hike and sail experience, could not have prepared me for the enormity of it all. And seeing it from above was a truly amazing way of grasping its hugeness.
We really were up there with the birds, and we flew past several as we descended along the sand flats.
As we dropped low over the Motueka River, I watched our shadow dance over the patchwork of apple and hop farms of Riwaka before arriving safely back at Motueka Airfield. Wow, Wow and triple Wow!
Tasman Sky Adventures offers a range of scenic microlight flights and tandem hang gliding, with various tours in Abel Tasman National Park.
Don’t forget to bring sturdy shoes, warm clothing, as it’s fairly breezy up there and you’re not enclosed from the wind, and, of course, your camera.
Tasman Sky Adventures is located at Motueka airfield, off College Street, and pick-up is available by arrangement. Hang gliding courses are also available if you want to learn how to fly by yourself.
Rachel stayed at Tasman Bay Backpackers at 10 Weka Street, Nelson. It’s a real home from home with a lovely cosy atmosphere. The best thing is, you get free breakfast with toast, cereals and tea and coffee, and every night they serve a yummy hot chocolate pudding with ice cream which is simply divine!
