Separation Point, Abel Tasman National Park 7183, Tasman Region, New Zealand
The Separation Point granites are a strip of granitic bedrock about 10 kilometres wide that extends for over 100 kilometres from Abel Tasman National Park in the north to Mt Murchison in the south.
At the land surface this rock is deeply weathered. This weathered surface can be up to several metres in depth and is extremely erodable and readily breaks down to its constituent components forming a coarse sand. It is sand derived from these rocks that form the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park.
Because of the highly erodable nature of the Separation Point Granites particular care is needed when undertaking any form of land disturbance. In particular, all stormwater needs to be appropriately controlled and any areas of exposed soils stabilised.
Epic New Zealand Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound