Catch a water taxi and independently walk the track between Bark Bay to Awaroa before cruising home at the end of the day.

Highlights include: the Kaka population, Tonga Quarry, views of Tonga Island, Onethauti Beach, Onetahuti board walk and Awaroa wetlands.

Catch a water taxi to Bark Bay. Explore beautiful Bark Bay estuary and its forest fringed banks. Listen and look out for the distinctive call of Kaka. Kaka love to play and swoop across the valley, catch a glimpse of them up close or in the distance. These birds are a real testament to the conservation work being undertaken in the Abel Tasman.

Enjoy views from the top of the saddle before heading back down to the coast to learn about Tonga Quarry. A few minutes on from the Quarry set foot on Onetahuti Beach, this expansive semi circle beach offers stunning views of Tonga Island and the Tonga Island marine reserve.

Cross the impressive boardwalk before climbing Tonga Saddle which provides views back South.  At the top of the saddle the track splits into two. Staying right on the non-DOC track takes you down to Awaroa Beach and Awaroa Lodge. Stop in at the Lodge to experience the beautiful lounge or courtyard for a drink or bite to eat before heading out to the beach (any food or drinks purchased are at your own cost) to catch your water taxi.

  • We provide a map and a briefing outlining track highlights.

Side trips:

Explore Tonga Quarry and learn what famous New Zealand landmarks used Tonga granite in their construction.

Stop at Awaroa Lodge for a drink or snack (at your own cost).

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 in the itinerary section. DoC’s full track brochure can be downloaded here.

A guided walk option is available, please contact us to discuss.

Price

$121pp

Duration

1 Day

  • Adult: $121.00
  • Child (up to 14): $60.50
  • Child (4 & under): $0
  • Check-in: 8.15 am
  • Open: 1 Oct – 30 Apr
  • Age: Any age, under 18’s need to be accompanied by at least 1 adult
  • Food: Lunch can be provided for $25pp or bring your own
  • Abel Tasman Great Walk: Approximately 3 – 4 hours
  • 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

    8.15am
    Check in. One of our team will provide tips and a map for your days walk.
    8.45am
    Water Taxi to Bark Bay

    Highlights: Marahau wetlands, views of Adele Island,Yellow Point, and the lookout at top of Anchorage.
    9.25am
    Arrive Bark Bay
  • Onetahuti Bay to Bark Bay (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

    Awaroa to Onetahuti, 1hr 30min, (4-5km)
    2.30pm
    Water taxi from Awaroa to Marahau.
  • What to bring

    Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimsuit, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, walking shoes, cameras and any medication.

*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.

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

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

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

3 day immersion at the Abel Tasman ,saw lots of seals and surrounded always by pristine park
Was a group tour
Guide super helpful with kayaks and paddling was enjoyable with a min to mod fitness level of middle aged person


gggerty

The day kayak/walk was the highlight of our trip, we loved it (even the teenagers!). Darryl our guide was fantastic - he was so informative, knowledgeable and had lots of yarns to tell along the way. With no prior kayak experience, the paddle in the morning was a perfect amount of time on the water. The walk to Anchorage and then the Pitt Head loop... read more


SunHol1

We did the whole day Soul Food tour and it was one of the best things I've ever done. As a novice kayaker I felt safe and our guide gave us great tips, clear instructions and had a lot of knowledge to share about the area. We saw loads of birdlife and the beautiful kekeno/NZ fur seals swimming near us were a massive highlight. The provided lunch was delicious too.... read more


bunsforlife

Awesome trip!!! Our guide was very funny, friendly and knowledgeable. We spended 2 days in Abel Tasman and were overhelmed by the beautiful nature. I can only recommend this experience.


christian_onroad

#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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