• Three Day Classic Great Walk

    Three Day Classic Great Walk


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Price

$1099pp

Duration

3 Days

Spend three days walking independently one of New Zealand’s premier walks and let us take care of the rest.

Explore the Abel Tasman coastal track walking at your own pace. Relax and recharge over three glorious days exploring the many golden beaches and lush coastal native bush. Take your time to explore side tracks, relax and swim at beaches, the days are yours to savour and independently explore this great walk. In the evening relax and be taken care of by your knowledgeable guide.

This trip offers the best of both worlds, independent walking with the added luxury of being hosted by a guide in the evening and mornings. Your guide will take care of logistics and meals so you can concentrate on enjoying walking one of New Zealand’s great walks. Your guide will arrange the following:

  • Provide a map and outline track highlights for each day
  • Provide you with packed lunch and snacks
  • Transfer bags/items you don’t want to carry to your evening campsite
  • Set up and pack down your campsite and relocate to the next campsite
  • Host and prepare pre dinner drinks and nibbles, evening meals and breakfasts

The Abel Tasman is part of New Zealand’s great walk network and this premier track is designed for all levels of fitness. An outline of the journey is below. DoC’s full track brochure can be downloaded here. Summers call for lasting memories, and our Walking Classics do just that.

On this trip walking the coastline from Totaranui or Awaroa and surrounds to Marahau you have a professional guide with you in the morning and evenings sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. All meals are catered and designed around your health and energy.  Accommodation for this trip is at stunning beachside campsites and all camping gear is included.

Every trip is unique like each of our clients.

We have set a summer schedule but are flexible outside our Tues & Sat departures, please contact us directly for alternate dates.

Print Itinerary
  • Check-in: 8.15 am
  • Age: Minimum 6 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
  • Open: Departs Sat – Nov |Tues & Sat Dec – Mar. On request outside of these times
  • Food: Fully catered
  • Abel Tasman Great Walk: Approximately 4 – 6 hours depending on walk option
  • Water Taxi: One water taxi cruise
  • Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times

Departure Times

Your trip includes an Environmental Access Fee which goes directly towards preserving the Abel Tasman National Park.

Risk Disclosure: For an understanding of the potential risks please click here and read before you book.

Itinerary

  • Day One

    8.15 am
    Check in and meet your guide.
    8.30 am
    Water Taxi to Awaroa or Totaranui.
    9.45 am
    Arrive Awaroa or Totaranui.
    10.00 am
    Start walking. Totaranui to Awaroa 2 hr 20 min, 7.1 km (tidal)
    Awaroa to Onetahuti, 1 hr 30 min, (4-5 km)

    Highlights: Skinner point lookout, Goat Bay, Awaroa Lagoon, Tonga Saddle, boardwalk prior to Onetahuti beach.

    Arrive Onetahuti campsite.

    7.00 pm
    Dinner and dessert.
    Day Two
    Breakfast.
    Pack any additional gear not required for the day.
    Walk from Onetahuti area to Anchorage.
    Onetahuti Bay to Bark Bay Hut (high tide track), 2 hr, 6.4 km
    Onetahuti Bay to Bark Bay (low tide crossing, Bark Bay estuary), 1 hr 45 min, 4.6 km
  • Day Two

    Bark Bay to Anchorage (high tide track), 4 hr, 11.5 km
    Bark Bay to Anchorage (Low tide Torrent Bay estuary), 3 hr, 8.4 km

    Highlights: Tonga Quarry, Bark Bay Estuary, Falls river & 47-metre long suspension bridge, Torrent Bay lookout, Torrent Bay Lagoon.

    Side trips: Cascade Creek, Cleopatras pool.
    Arrive Anchorage campsite.

    Arrive Anchorage campsite.
    7.00 pm
    Dinner and dessert.

    Day Three

    8.00 am
    Breakfast.

    9.00 am
    Pack any additional gear not required for the day.
    9.30 am
    Walk back to Marahau.
    4 hrs, 12.4 km

    Highlights: Lookout at top of Anchorage, Yellow Point, views of Adele Island, Marahau wetlands.
    3.30 pm
    Arrive Marahau and unpack gear. Enjoy showers and refreshments at the Abel Tasman Kayaks base.
  • Sample Menu

    Day One

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks freshly baked roll filled with local produce.

    Dinner: Chickpea Curry & Steamed pudding.



    Day Two

    Breakfast: Cooked Breakfast and/or muesli served with yoghurt and fruit.

    Lunch: Wraps.

    Dinner: Nacho bean mix served with sour cream & sliced cake.



    Day Three

    Breakfast: Toasted English muffins and/or muesli served with yoghurt and fruit.

    Lunch: Mediterranean Pasta.

*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.

What to bring

Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimwear, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, a change of clothes, camera and any medication. Evening: Long pants, t-shirt, warm top (wool or fleece), trainers and socks, rain proof jacket. Personal: Toiletries, sleeping bag (we can provide this), torch.

We provide

We provide 2 person tents, thermarest inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags if required, plates, cutlery, cups, gas cookers, filtered water, all meals, accommodation in beachside campsites and of course an awesome Abel Tasman Kayaks guide for your evening and mornings.

FAQS

  • Environment Access Fee

    Your trip includes an Environmental Access Fee which goes directly towards preserving the Abel Tasman National Park.

    A portion of your ticket price goes directly towards preserving the unique environment you will enjoy on your trip in the Abel Tasman. This includes the compulsory concession fees paid to the Department of Conversation as well as voluntary contributions to local organisations and projects to improve the environment, ecology and access to the National Park.  Fees are adjusted according to your trip, you can see your contribution when you purchase a ticket.

    Find out more on how we are looking after this special place including our commitment to the Mārahau Pledge.

  • Do I need hiking boots?

    For walking the track, firm footwear is required, but boots are not essential, walking sandals or sports shoes are fine.

  • More FAQ’s

    A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here.

What our customers say

Sea kayaking for the first time, I opted for a short introductory half day. It was beautiful, fun and rewarding. The guides were excellent, group "sailing" was an unexpected fun activity that saved energy and lunch on the beach after was tasty, filling and relaxing. Water taxi back including being towed (while still in the boat) by a tractor.


Jo-Anne K

Our guide, Tim, was excellent, the other guides from the company were great too. We had no idea when we were looking for a company to go with! Thankfully we made a great choice. Tim was knowledgeable about every aspect. We really enjoyed it.


traceyr17

My husband and I did the 2-Day Classic kayaking tour with ATK. It was a tremendous highlight of our trip! We were led by Liana who was a wonderful, knowledgeable and highly skilled facilitator. She was professional and engaging from beginning to end. Her knowledge of the surroundings was very impressive - she could spot animals from very far away and knew loads about each one! There was no shortage... read more


RCF_333

An excellent way to fit 2 activities into a day and see a fair bit of the Abel Tasman national park! Our guide Brody was full of information and made for a very safe and enjoyable 2/3hr paddle. Lunch provided was delicious. The walking section is beautiful and easy to complete in the time provided. All very well organised and worth the money!


yasminlee92

This was a beautiful way to experience Abel Tasman and get close to the wildlife in the area. I did a tour that went the full day. We ended up doing good 4h of active kayaking, broken up by lunch and a few other stops. Gear and snacks/lunch were super tasty and the guides even packed up hot drinks (tea/coffee) for the beach. We had great sunny weather but it... read more


amcali9

We did a trip for 5 days walking to Awaroa lodge for a day and than guided 3 day kayak trip back to Maharau
This trip will be always remembered as we made many memories
The team at ABT did a great job with customizing the trip and we had a great guide in Whitey
Throughly recommend this experience


Andyoto

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

Catching a water taxi is a seamless way to start your day before you explore the at sea level by kayak.
The Abel Tasman is full of fascinating geological wonders—like Cottage Loaf Rock, a quirky rock  that adds a lot of character to this spectacular coastline.
The Abel Tasman is a treasure trove of lagoons—each one a gateway to tranquillity.
Golden light, calm waters, and birdsong set the tone for your next adventure. 🌅🌊🪶
Explore the Abel Tasman Coastline where every paddle stroke leads to a new discovery.
Drifting in the Abel Tasman.
Between Marahau and Anchorage, you’ll find a lot of stunning beaches just waiting to be explored! Whether by kayak or on foot, each one offers its own slice of paradise.
Moss & Lichen might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Abel Tasman, but this park is home to some pretty impressive species.
The quick way to get home 👏
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