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
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Day One
8.15 amCheck in and meet your guide.8.30 amWater Taxi to Awaroa or Totaranui.
9.45 amArrive Awaroa or Totaranui.
10.00 amStart 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 pmDinner and dessert.
Day TwoBreakfast.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
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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 pmDinner and dessert.Day Three
8.00 amBreakfast.
9.00 amPack any additional gear not required for the day.
9.30 amWalk back to Marahau.
4 hrs, 12.4 km
Highlights: Lookout at top of Anchorage, Yellow Point, views of Adele Island, Marahau wetlands.3.30 pmArrive Marahau and unpack gear. Enjoy showers and refreshments at the Abel Tasman Kayaks base.
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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
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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.
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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.
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More FAQ’s
A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here.
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What our customers say
We had a superb day in Abel Tasman. The team went out of their way to make the experience a great one. We Kayaked first due to tides, with Awatea as our kayak guide. He was knowledgeable about the area, and he kept us entertained throughout the trip. We had a fabulous picnic lunch and then got shuttled by boat to walk from Torrent Bay to... read moreWe had a superb day in Abel Tasman. The team went out of their way to make the experience a great one. We Kayaked first due to tides, with Awatea as our kayak guide. He was knowledgeable about the area, and he kept us entertained throughout the trip. We had a fabulous picnic lunch and then got shuttled by boat to walk from Torrent Bay to Bark Bay. I would highly recommend this trip and this company. It’s hard to decide on highlights…as there were so many! read less
Rowena E
we had a great time with this company on the ocean and when we camped . before you go i would check what you are going to eat .
eaterofallthingsgood
Great family friendly adventure, loved the information about the park, the walks to explore, fully catered yummy meals. Our guide Lou was a great resource, lover of NZ outdoors and great at checking in on the various needs of our group. Loved that we got a bit of everything from the weather Gods and excited we got to add penguin spotting to our check list.
Erin T
As someone who has never kayaked before I felt super safe and felt like I was sailing off with heaps of knowledge after the safety briefing. Our guide was awesome and down to earth, it was easy to ask him questions. We even ran a little bit late and we were stressed we would miss a bit of the info but they were really understanding and gave us plenty of... read moreAs someone who has never kayaked before I felt super safe and felt like I was sailing off with heaps of knowledge after the safety briefing. Our guide was awesome and down to earth, it was easy to ask him questions. We even ran a little bit late and we were stressed we would miss a bit of the info but they were really understanding and gave us plenty of time to get ready. read less
Paradise52100984255
Great way to explore Abel tasmen! Many trip options but also can chop and change with ideas we did a 3 day kayak made into four with a beach day in between.
Great company - they teach you all the basics before you start out & go on a test run beforehand. Showers available at the end!
Really recommend 5⭐️
Kate W
We booked in to do the half day seal sanctuary kayaking in early October 2019, and I’m very glad we did. We had such an amazing day with Abel Tasman kayaks - our guide Nicole was amazing, providing us with really clear and easy instructions, keeping us safe on the water, and sharing her knowledge about the area including its history and wildlife (as well as food and walk recommendations... read moreWe booked in to do the half day seal sanctuary kayaking in early October 2019, and I’m very glad we did. We had such an amazing day with Abel Tasman kayaks - our guide Nicole was amazing, providing us with really clear and easy instructions, keeping us safe on the water, and sharing her knowledge about the area including its history and wildlife (as well as food and walk recommendations for after the tour)! We got to see lots of seals on Tonga island, and Nicole also showed us some other special spots and photo opportunities, followed by a delicious lunch on the beach. The water taxi was great and efficient, and all of the staff were very welcoming, lovely and easy to talk to. I would 100% recommend this tour to family and friends, and would do it again if it was lucky enough to go back to the area! Thanks guys :) read less
Lisa R
