split apple rock guide

The CJ way Guide to Split Apple Rock

​

​

 AT A GLANCE 

​

Amazing split rock/boulder 

Abel Tasman National Park

15 minutes from parking 

Easy walk (although downhill... so it's uphill on your way back!)

Free

Best time to visit: sunrise or sunset

Sneakers are best for the walk (but jandals are ok). 

​

 WHERE IS THIS EXACTLY? 

​

• Coordinates of parking: (-41.0167679, 173.0158938)

• Coordinates of rock: (-41.0183287, 173.0202306)

• There is not a designated car park for Split Apple Rock and it was quite confusing for us the first time we visited. Parking is on the side of the road (Tokongawa drive) and is signposted as Split Apple Rock parking. From here, you walk down Moonraker Way (no parking is allowed down this street) and then join a walking track down to the beach (approximately 10 minutes). Make sure you follow the parking signs and do not park in the drop off zone.

​

 best time to visit? 

​

• Sunset or sunrise!

• Whilst you can visit with any tide, it's best to avoid the peak of high tide as most of the beach is underwater!

​

 cj travel tips 

​

• Pack a dry bag and some water shoes if you want to swim out to the rock and stand between the split. The second time when I (James) wore water shoes it was so much easier to climb the rock and stay standing between the split (compared to the first time with bare feet). The dry bag was to keep the two way dry so I could communicate with Char who was taking the photoson the beach.

​

 cj photography tips 

​​

• You really need a zoom lens to make Split Apple Rock appear big and prominent in the frame (we think at least 200mm).

• To shoot the moon through the split in the rock (like we have done twice), use Photopills to pick the best day and time and exact angle. Then make you're there early and ready with a zoom lens (at least 300mm). Remember the moon rises (or sets) in an arc so be prepared to move with your tripod!

• Add a person in between the split for scale. 

• Shoot a picnic-y shot with people on the shore and the rock either blurred or clear in the background (play around and see what you prefer!). 

• We think astrophotography would be pretty spectacular here. On our list :)

​

 what we found useful to pack 

​

​In addition to the usuals (camera gear, suitable clothing, water and food, first aid, etc. we found the following items useful for Split Apple rock:

• Watershoes (for climbing the rock); and 

• Towel and togs; and

• A picnic (take some time here and sit and enjoy!).