The park has two practical road-ends. The southern entrance is at Marahau, an hour's drive from Nelson via Motueka — this is where the Coast Track begins and where most kayak operators are based. The neighbouring village of Kaiteriteri, a few minutes further south, is the main water-taxi departure point. The northern entrance at Totaranui is reached via Takaka and a 12-kilometre unsealed road; allow about three hours from Nelson.
There is no public transport into the park itself. From Nelson, several shuttle companies run morning services to Marahau, Kaiteriteri, and (in summer) to Totaranui, timed to connect with water taxis. If you are walking the Coast Track one way, you will need to arrange transport back to your car — most shuttle operators specialise in this.