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
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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: 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
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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
Originally I sighed up for a different longer Abel Tasman day tour but on the day of the tour the weather was changing and the wind was picking up, so I was offered a shorter kayaking and walking. And think it was thoughtful and responsible on the part of Abel Tasman Kayak company. The waters for sea kayaking was already pretty rough. Abel Tasman Kayak does a great job on... read moreOriginally I sighed up for a different longer Abel Tasman day tour but on the day of the tour the weather was changing and the wind was picking up, so I was offered a shorter kayaking and walking. And think it was thoughtful and responsible on the part of Abel Tasman Kayak company. The waters for sea kayaking was already pretty rough. Abel Tasman Kayak does a great job on briefing and guiding on the ocean. They are very well organized. The transportation they provide from Nelson’s hotels was on time and very comfortable. Will recommend this company if you want to kayak and walk in Abel Tasman. read less
TRyana
My wife and I just returned from a 2 day trip with ATK - we started our adventure in Marahau and took a 40 minute water taxi up the coast to Awaroa. We’d have loved to do the 3 day trip which covers the same coastline but includes a few nature walks a however, we were NOT disappointed by the truncated experience. We were paired off with one other... read moreMy wife and I just returned from a 2 day trip with ATK - we started our adventure in Marahau and took a 40 minute water taxi up the coast to Awaroa. We’d have loved to do the 3 day trip which covers the same coastline but includes a few nature walks a however, we were NOT disappointed by the truncated experience. We were paired off with one other lovely family in for a reunion, and the endlessly talented guide Isaac, who had us all feeling like Whānau by the end of the trip.
The thing that really impresses me about this tour is how meticulously they have figured out to time the various side quests, swims and meal breaks so that it lines up with the tide. In terms of sights, the highlights for me would have to be:
1) Tonga island, where we saw dozens of young seal pup-mum pairings and learned about the impressive comeback this species has made over the last several years.
2) Shag Harbour, a beautiful inlet accessible only during high tide with crystal clear water and a symphony of cicada song
3) Mosquito bay (reportedly named this to reduce foot traffic - not at all buggy), a beachhead campground accessible only by kayak
4) Watering cove near Te Karetu point - where you drink delicious, crystal clear & cool spring water directly from the source
If you are reading and thinking “but I am not an experienced kayaker”, this is NOT a necessity for this trip. If you are in reasonable shape, eager to learn and put in effort you’ll get through the ~30km of ground with no problem. My wife and I were lagging a bit behind because of some motion sickness and Isaac seamlessly built in breaks and sightseeing to keep us caught up and feeling good. The food is excellent and abundant - I won’t spoil the particulars.
Finally, I’d be woefully remiss if I didn’t emphasize again just what an incredible guide Isaac was for our group. He is kind, outgoing, thoughtful and has a deep knowledge and love for NZ, Abel Tasman Park, and Maori culture. The depth of his knowledge for the flora & fauna, natural and human history of the area would be impressive for a guide 10 years his senior. He carries all of it off with such nonchalance - and always with a smile and a laugh (and a piece of ginger candy when my wife was worse for wear on the mad mile)
Go on this trip, with this group. We will be back, and we hope he’s there to show us another adventure read less
TimRowesays
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
We kayak along the splendid Coast of Abel Tasman National park for over 2 hours then we stopped for lunch at the magnificent onetahuti beach. Daryl was our tour guide; he was really nice cool fun and let us stopped and take as many pictures as we wanted and explained us very well the history of the Abel national park .
Bilalifestyle
Friend and I did a two day kayak and walk. Started with kayak on day one. The kayak was all packed with our overnight camp gear we hired from the place. Location and parking was easy. Good safety demonstration and a short ride to launch site on back of tractor/trailer. Site had a good setup with shower and toilet facilities. Staff were very helpful on arrival and departure. Camp gear... read moreFriend and I did a two day kayak and walk. Started with kayak on day one. The kayak was all packed with our overnight camp gear we hired from the place. Location and parking was easy. Good safety demonstration and a short ride to launch site on back of tractor/trailer. Site had a good setup with shower and toilet facilities. Staff were very helpful on arrival and departure. Camp gear that we hired was good condition and all accounted for. We arrived at Anchorage and unpacked the kayak, setup our camp site. Kayaks were picked up off the beach where we were instructed to leave. Next day we left our camp gear at site and continued north to Onetahuti (recommend walking extra distance for beautiful beach. Otherwise end at Barks Bay). Water taxi (company owned) collected us right on schedule. Super friendly and considerate boat driver. We had amazing weather and can’t fault the experience! We did two day walk that doesn’t include meals.
Suggest the company does a departure checklist for visitors. Things like how much we can fit in kayak/what types of bags can fit and how to pack food would be helpful for first-timers. Even meal suggestions would be great idea. In case reader is wondering: suggest a medium sized backpack per person plus a bag for meals. On day two you have to carry all your personal gear including food containers and rubbish - think about what and how you’re willing to carry these things on your walk the next day.
Recommend this experience and the company 100%. Thanks team! read less
L7624ZLadrianm
My partner and I got a day-hire kayak for 90pp. I couldn't recommend Abel Tasman Kayaks any higher. There was a thorough safety briefing before the day started and they kitted us out with all the equipment that we needed. The team was great at pointing out where it would be feasible to kayak for a day trip. Kayaking in the bays was great as well, lots of small private... read moreMy partner and I got a day-hire kayak for 90pp. I couldn't recommend Abel Tasman Kayaks any higher. There was a thorough safety briefing before the day started and they kitted us out with all the equipment that we needed. The team was great at pointing out where it would be feasible to kayak for a day trip. Kayaking in the bays was great as well, lots of small private beaches that you can stop on, lots of wildlife (we saw a seal tearing through an octopus on the water!) and doing a loop around Adele or Fisherman's Island is very manageable. It was a bit difficult to see where we had to return to, so in the future I would clarify that before I leave. Jack was also great to us. Friendly, approachable, keen for a yarn and made the whole experience better! read less
BrianY853