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
$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 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
-
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.
-
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.
Other trips you may like
What our customers say
These guys are amazing. They made everything so easy. We hired kayaks for the first day, then they organised bag drops to near the huts for subsequent nights, and the water taxi out at the end. They really went the extra mile. We forgot an essential item, and they arranged for it to be dropped off at the next hut. Absolutely brilliant!!!!!!
Kelly C
Wir haben eine Kayak und Walk Tour gemacht. Unser Tour-Guide war extrem nett und hat einen sensationellen Job gemacht. In unserer kleinen Gruppe mit 4 Kayaks haben wir ein paar schöne Stunden verbracht, während der wir durch den wunderschönen Nationalpark gefahren sind und einiges über den Park sowie die einzigartige Artenvielfalt dort erfahren haben. Nach der Kayak-Tour bekamen wir am Strand ein leckeres Mittagessen und danach ging es auf eigene... read moreWir haben eine Kayak und Walk Tour gemacht. Unser Tour-Guide war extrem nett und hat einen sensationellen Job gemacht. In unserer kleinen Gruppe mit 4 Kayaks haben wir ein paar schöne Stunden verbracht, während der wir durch den wunderschönen Nationalpark gefahren sind und einiges über den Park sowie die einzigartige Artenvielfalt dort erfahren haben. Nach der Kayak-Tour bekamen wir am Strand ein leckeres Mittagessen und danach ging es auf eigene Faust zu Fuß auf einem sehr guten Wanderweg zurück zum Ausgangspunkt. Insgesamt ein wunderschöner, gelungener Tag. read less
Mi-Nadine
We all knew that the trip would be special when we needed more coffee and salami on the first day, and our humble guide Roy (or “Lolli” in Australian) announced that we would be getting “better than average” salami after being grilled about the quality. Our 3-day classic was completely brilliant, with excellent company, excellent food, excellent weather, excellent adventures, and better than average salami (which was excellent too). Roy... read moreWe all knew that the trip would be special when we needed more coffee and salami on the first day, and our humble guide Roy (or “Lolli” in Australian) announced that we would be getting “better than average” salami after being grilled about the quality. Our 3-day classic was completely brilliant, with excellent company, excellent food, excellent weather, excellent adventures, and better than average salami (which was excellent too). Roy knew his stuff, and willingly shared his knowledge of all aspects of the history, the aquatic and marine life, the birds, the flora, the geology, and much more.
Shag Harbour was an absolute highlight, though so too was Cleopatras Pool (and the extra climb/canyoning trip beyond), but the entire coastline made it all pretty special, especially with Roy’s inside knowledge of the best places to go. Throughout the journey we were fed exceptionally well, with plenty of tasty food and drink, and the efficient organisation from start to finish reassured us all that we were not only in safe hands, but above average hands. A big shout out to Bal for the first two days (with the larger group), too.
In summary: a very professional adventure with plenty to see and do, and with expert knowledge to add greater value to the whole trip, and which made it very memorable. Highly recommended. read less
ivanovbt
We chose to hike part of the Able Tasman Track, and went with Able Tasman Kayaks who were dropping off a bunch of kayakers. We continued on board this fantastic fast boat and had an awesome tour of the whole area, then were dropped off at the beautiful Observation Beach so we could walk back out. It was an amazing day and the staff at Able Tasman Kayaks were... read moreWe chose to hike part of the Able Tasman Track, and went with Able Tasman Kayaks who were dropping off a bunch of kayakers. We continued on board this fantastic fast boat and had an awesome tour of the whole area, then were dropped off at the beautiful Observation Beach so we could walk back out. It was an amazing day and the staff at Able Tasman Kayaks were all super professional and friendly to deal with. We can't wait to get back with our friends and do a guided kayak trip next week. Thankyou Jack for taking care of our needs. You're the best! read less
693LindaJ693
Got a free upgrade to do a full day kayak! Our guide Roy was very knowledgeable, friendly and a good talker! It was a very fun experience and we got to see a lot of seal pups!!
trishs9791
My husband and I needed a water taxi ride to go hiking in Abel Tasman National Park so we used Abel Tasman Kayaks. Very efficient and well laid out business with lots of great staff, boats, tractors and equipment. We really enjoyed and appreciated Capt Jack who expertly drove the tractor and the boat in addition to serving as a tour guide by providing lots of historical info about the... read moreMy husband and I needed a water taxi ride to go hiking in Abel Tasman National Park so we used Abel Tasman Kayaks. Very efficient and well laid out business with lots of great staff, boats, tractors and equipment. We really enjoyed and appreciated Capt Jack who expertly drove the tractor and the boat in addition to serving as a tour guide by providing lots of historical info about the park. While we did not kayak, everyone on the return trip boat who had kayaked appeared to have had a great time. read less
Julie O