• Great Walk Bark Bay to Awaroa

    Great Walk Bark Bay to Awaroa


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Price

$127pp

Duration

1 Day

  • Adult: $121.00
  • Child (up to 14): $60.50
  • Child (4 & under): $0

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.

  • Check-in: 8.15 am
  • Open: 1 Oct – 30 Apr
  • Age: Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio
  • 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: $80 Nelson return, $40 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

This was an absolutely amazing experience! Would do it again in a heartbeat! The service we received was excellent and all the staff were wonderfully welcoming. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed both the hike and the kayaking and could not decide which of the many highlights of this day, was our favorite. The scenery is just gorgeous! I can highly recommend Abel Tasman Kayaks. Thank you, Jack and Mitchell, for making this a truly unforgettable day.


Kathleen

We did the tree day classic trip and it was awesome! Our guide Reid was exceptional and made the trip. He was very knowledgeable and always put the guest experience and safety first. All meals / snacks were delicious and GF wasn’t an issue. Camp sites were excellent. Highly recommend ATK and would love to do another trip in the future.


393LuC

This was a great experience! I loved all the secluded beaches we stopped at and all the wild life we saw! Darrel was an awesome guide and had a lot of wonderful information about the area and New Zealand as a whole. Would highly recommend this kayak company!


Megan F

We were a large tour group so half of us walked to Apple Tree Bay while the other half kayaked there. The walk in was amazing as it just hits you how beautiful nature is and how appreciative I become that it is still relatively unspoilt. We enjoyed the cooler weather and had a picnic on the beach before we swapped to kayaking.Our guide Issac did a beautiful karakia with a great explanation of what it meant to start us off on our kayak. Seeing the National park from the sea gave me another viewpoint and enjoyed being on the ocean. Would definitely recommend this experience to anyone. It will leave you breathless and thankful.


Tim S

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

Izaak was clear and funny The tour was very nice, walking was a bit further than expected, lunch was delicious! Great sandwiches, cake, drinks etc


simone

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