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 Fri departures, please contact us directly for alternate dates.

Price

$900pp

Duration

3 Days

  • 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: 1 Nov – 31 Mar Fri only. On request outside of these dates
  • 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

Please note the Department of Conservation apply differential pricing between 1st October and 30th April. If you are a New Zealand resident choose the New Zealand Resident price, if you are an International Visitor choose International Visitor price.

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

 

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: Mediterranean Pasta.



    Day Two

    Breakfast: Muesli and fruit and/or toasted bagels.

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks pita pockets.

    Dinner: Chickpea Curry.



    Day Three

    Breakfast: Muesli and fruit and/or French toast.

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks platter.

*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.

What to bring

Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimsuit, 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

If you want an authentic experience, this is definitely the place to go. From the moment we stepped foot into the reception to leaving, every staff member we encountered was welcoming, friendly, and genuinely wanted to help and make our first kayaking experience one to remember. Our guide was Belverre (might be incorrectly spelt sorry). He was knowledgeable, professional and very funny. We had a safety briefing before we went... read more


Pou_Havea

I booked the Earth, Sea, and Sky tour. If you want to explore the scenic Abel Tasman national park, Abel Tasman Kayaks is the company to do it with, plus they have various tours! The tour starts off in Torrent Bay (via water taxi) and you walk to Barker Bay (bring hiking shoes) where you'll see various bays, plants, wildlife, and other beautiful scenery. At Barker Bay, they had additional... read more


Travel Dude

Our family, 2 adults and 2 kids did a 4 day freedom hire trip through Abel Tasman Kayaks last week and we had the most amazing time. The double kayaks we hired were good quality fibre glass boats, our safety briefing from Tim was informative and fun and the communication from start to finish was spot on.
Abel Tasman kayaks have been around a long time and are extremely customer...
read more


Karenza H

We went on a kayak trip and then hike. Everything was extraordinarily beautiful and service was fantastic and perfect from beginning to end. Our guide was Hayley and she was friendly, knowledgeable, easy-to-chat with, and made everyone feel safe and secure. She shared interesting facts along the way about the park (and New Zealand generally), provided flexibility around where we paddled based on group preferences, took us to a quick... read more


O1600HSamyh

Would 100% recommend the seal sanctory tour. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made sure that we enjoyed our day. We had plenty of time to get photos and have breaks. The lunch provided was super delicious! Everyone I dealt with was really helpful and friendly.


Makamaylaaa

I did the 3 day tiki tour as a solo female traveller and found it an amazing experience. Everything was well organised and I had great communication from Abel Tasman Kayaks in relation to my questions prior to and post booking. Each staff member I dealt with was great from those who were emailing me back, those at their base, those who did the water taxi driving and those who... read more


impulsivekiwi

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

Drifting through granite caves⛰️🚣‍♀️

...
 #nelsontasman #abeltasmankayaks
The wonders of Tonga Island Marine Reserve🐠 established in 1993 go beyond marine life— Tonga Island in the marine reserve makes for that quintessential Abel Tasman pic! 📸
Gearing up for the adventure ahead! 🌟🚣‍♀️
A sea breeze makes for a fun end to the day, kayak sailing ⛵ is a real highlight for customers kayaking back towards Marahau. 

#abeltasmankayaks
Watching the sun come up ☀️
Last day to vote for the bird of the century! This year, #birdoftheyear has become 
#birdofthecentury. We're rooting for the Kaka! 🐦 With 35 released into the Abel Tasman, they add their distinctive call and color to Bark Bay and its surrounds.

#BirdOfTheYear
Memories about to be created in the Abel Tasman. 📸
The Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park in New Zealand, it's the perfect location for half-day or five-day explorations!
There are plenty of moments to soak it all in. 

#abeltasmankayaks
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