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.

Price

$1099pp

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: 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

Absolutely loved it❤️ I had never ever done Kayaking and got into it as my birthday gift from Sachin, my husband.
Amazing, spectacular and must do !! Excellent well organised and fantastic location with great guides like Whitey and Georgia who were patient and skilled. Loved all the local stories Whitey shared with us….

Would rate this is the best adventure to date I have done read more


Smita and Sachi... S

Loved every minute of this trip! These guys are super organized and friendly. Everything was sorted and the guides were awesome and very experienced. Time went by so fast. Wish I had done the 5- day tour!


nzfoodi

We did the 3 day classic guided kayak trip. From the first contact with the company through to when we said our last goodbyes, Abel Tasman Kayaks were fantastic. Our guide, Awatea was amazing, whipping up fabulous meals at each lunch and overnight stop. He was an experienced guide, coaching us through a couple of more exciting sections on the route and we always felt safe and... read more


stressederic64

I had a great tour with Abel Tasman Kayaks. All the staff I met at the base were great, and the guide for my kayaking - Gareth - was very friendly and informative. It was awesome that we got a ride on a tractor to get to the beach with the kayaks. The kayaking part of the tour was my favourite, Gareth gave some awesome commentary and stayed at the... read more


briohnyp

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

Such an incredible walk and we really enjoyed our two days with the kayaks! Day 1: kayaked from Marahau to Te Pukatea; Day 2: kayaked Te Pukatea to Onetahuiti then walked to Waiharakeke - big day but breaking it up made it a lot more manageable. Third day: walked Waiharakeke to Anapai Bay. 4th day: Anapai Bay, loop around to Separation point and back to Totaranui. All pretty average fitness... read more


Amelia R

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

Camping in the Abel Tasman ❤️
The Abel Tasman coastline has a lot of variety.  In some spots, the lush bushline is down to the sea, while in others, it steps back. No matter where you are, it’s always spectacular. ✨🏞️
Help out this great project @projectjanszoon  are running.

Robin (kakaruai or toutouwai) are making a comeback in the Abel Tasman National Park. After an absence of about 30 years they’re now being seen occasionally on the coast track. 
 
Project Janzoon have just launched their citizen science project – Report a robin – in order to get people telling us about their robin sightings, and talking about the wonderful birdlife in the Park.
 
If you have been or about to go in the park report your sightings via the Abel Tasman App – Have you seen this section ; or via www.janszoon.org/reportarobin ;  Jot down the nearest trap number, looking for the numbered triangles.
Waking up on a beautiful beach - what's not to love, especially if someone has made you a cuppa!
The Abel Tasman National Park is teeming with wildlife, from the playful NZ fur seals to the charismatic kākā. 🐦🦭 Head to the northern section of the park for a chance to encounter these unique, endemic New Zealand treasures in their natural habitat!
We're nearly a quarter of the way through the century—2025 starts tomorrow! 🎉 Is exploring the stunning Abel Tasman on your bucket list for the year ahead?
Did you know there are two main islands in the Abel Tasman to explore, Adele Island & Tonga Island but there are a few more unknown one's that are fun to kayak past.
Merry Christmas from the team at Abel Tasman Kayaks. 🎄
Marahau boasts one of the largest tidal ranges in New Zealand! 🌊 This unique feature adds an extra layer of adventure to every kayak trip that includes a water taxi as you experience the dynamic rhythm of the tides during your landing and departure.
Embracing that 'yes' moment .... ❤🛶
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