- New Zealand: 0800 377 378
- Australia: 1 800 044 633
- World: +64 3 962 3280
* Due to fluctuating exchange rates, prices may vary at the time of booking if a tour is based on a different currency from its home country currency.
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For dates, availability & customisations Enquire or Book
Overview
Tours run: Weekly
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- F
- M
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- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
3 Days / 2 Nights
- START - Nelson
- END - Nelson
- Walking
- Kayaking
Activity Level Guide
EasyAn average level of fitness. Walk 7km, Bike 15km
Well formed tracks and roads with very little incline MildAn average level of fitness . Walk 12km, Bike, 25km
Well formed tracks and roads with average incline ModerateAbove average level of fitness. Walk 20km, Bike 45km
Formed tracks and roads with average to steep inclines at times ChallengingAbove average level of fitness Walk 20+km, Bike 50+km
Partially formed tracks and roads with some steep inclines and possibly some easy river crossingsExplore Paradise On Foot And By Kayak!
What's included
- All accommodation
- All meals
- Fully guided
- Boat transport
- Luggage transport each day
- Comprehensive safety systems
The Abel Tasman Walk/Kayak - 3 Day tour lets you experience the best of the idyllic Abel Tasman National Park in a limited time. The Park has amongst the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand, and features native forest, golden sandy beaches, impressive headlands, rivers and rock pools. While kayaking, you may even see a seal colony!
You'll stay in beachfront homesteads, with plenty of options each day. You could even choose to just relax, taking a ferry from lodge to lodge! Our expert guides will help you get the most from your time, and make sure you're fully briefed to go sea kayaking in safety.
Itinerary & MapDates and Availability?
Tours run: Weekly
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Customisations?
We can customise tours to suit.
Fitness levels?
We can help you prepare and evaluate your fitness.
Nicky
Hamish
Itinerary & Map
The Abel Tasman Walk/Kayak — 3 Days tour's exciting itinerary is designed for experiencing the best of the park in a short time. It includes a scenic cruise, and a walk on the lush northern coastal track. Then: 2 days of sea kayaking on the park's protected southern coastline.
Larger Map
Please Note: The direction of this tour may be reversed on some departures, with an earlier start time.
If start/finish times do not suit your schedule, please contact us to arrange alternative options.
Remember: kayaking or walking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of our scheduled ferry services, or you can switch from kayaking to join groups walking that section of the track. The flexibility is perfect for parties travelling together but not wanting to do the same activities. Please discuss options with your guide before each day's departure.
Kayak safety: When sea and weather are calm, sea kayaking requires little skill or strength. However, although the beaches are sheltered, weather conditions can change rapidly, and you may have to paddle against the wind. If you follow our guides' instructions, your kayaking will be safe and fun. Our boat crew will provide full back-up if kayaking becomes too difficult. Double kayaks are used because of their stability, and the ease of having 2 people sharing the paddling.
Day 1: Nelson / Motueka to Awaroa via Totaranui
Welcome to this exciting walking/kayaking tour of the Abel Tasman National Park. We'll pick you up from Nelson between 10.30 and 11 am, or from Motueka at about 11.40 am. If you are self-driving, please meet us at our Motueka office by quarter to 12. If we're starting our tour on a Wednesday, pick-up will be slightly earlier.
Once at the office, you'll meet your guide for the next 3 days, and be briefed on the upcoming tour. We have day packs available for loan if required, and we can safely store any valuables or excess baggage. There'll be time for a last-minute luggage check before boarding our comfortable coach to the sunny coastal town of Kaiteriteri.
From here, we'll enjoy a Vista Cruise along the National Park coastline to Totaranui (approx. 1.5 hrs). Hot and cold drinks are available on board, as are open and enclosed viewing decks, and bathroom facilities.
On arrival at Totaranui, we'll regroup for a 2 hour walk south (5.5. km plus tidal crossing) to Meadowbank Homestead, our beachfront homestead in Awaroa.
Meals included today are lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
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Lodge
Lodge
Relax and enjoy the surroundings.- Lodges are usually run by managers who live on site and will also prepare meals for you.
- Most are in scenic locations.
- Known for individuality in design or landscaping.
- Comfortable beds, all linen and amenities provided.
Known for special extra touches such as complimentary beverages, designer linen, hand crafted accessories, boutique wines (may vary at each property)
- Walking
Day 2: Awaroa to Torrent Bay
After breakfast, we'll leave Awaroa, walking over the Tonga Saddle to the golden sands of the horse-shoe shaped Onetahuti beach. Here, you'll board your kayak and receive a full training and safety brief. You will not leave the beach until the guide is satisfied you're able to negotiate the coast safely.
If the weather is good, you can visit Tonga Island's seal colony. December and January are great times to see newborn seal pups.
Next, you'll kayak past the historic granite Tonga Quarry and the Tonga Arches. Your guide will tell you about the quarry's history and relics.
Then, we'll stop for lunch on the golden sands of stunning Bark Bay. We'll carry on beach-hopping, taking in points of interest including Falls River and Frenchman's Bay. We'll overnight at a beachfront lodge at Torrent Bay.
Meals included today are breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, lunch and dinner.
-
Lodge
Lodge
Relax and enjoy the surroundings.- Lodges are usually run by managers who live on site and will also prepare meals for you.
- Most are in scenic locations.
- Known for individuality in design or landscaping.
- Comfortable beds, all linen and amenities provided.
Known for special extra touches such as complimentary beverages, designer linen, hand crafted accessories, boutique wines (may vary at each property)
- Walking
- Kayaking
Day 3: Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri
On this, our final day, we'll paddle along the coast, discovering idyllic bays and beaches named by French explorer Dumont d'Urville in 1827. We'll cruise along the Astrolabe Roadstead, a safe harbour for yachts and other vessels. Other options include visiting the beautiful Pukatea and Appletree bays, or kayaking along the coast of Adele Island, home to many native birds. If wind conditions are right, your guide will help you hoist a specially-designed sail for riding the sea breeze.
We'll stop for lunch at one of the bays, and then continue on to Kaiteriteri. Our coach will meet you here at about 4 pm, to return you to Motueka (arriving approx. 4.30 pm) or Nelson (5.30 pm). We wish you well with your further adventures, knowing you'll leave with lasting memories of this beautiful place.
Meals included today are breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, lunch.
-
Lodge
Lodge
Relax and enjoy the surroundings.- Lodges are usually run by managers who live on site and will also prepare meals for you.
- Most are in scenic locations.
- Known for individuality in design or landscaping.
- Comfortable beds, all linen and amenities provided.
Known for special extra touches such as complimentary beverages, designer linen, hand crafted accessories, boutique wines (may vary at each property)
- Walking
- Kayaking
**This tour is run in conjunction with another operator.
What's included?
Accommodation
Lodge
Relax and enjoy the surroundings.- Lodges are usually run by managers who live on site and will also prepare meals for you.
- Most are in scenic locations.
- Known for individuality in design or landscaping.
- Comfortable beds, all linen and amenities provided.
Known for special extra touches such as complimentary beverages, designer linen, hand crafted accessories, boutique wines (may vary at each property)
Food
You will enjoy great local cuisine; continental breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, and either restaurant meals or wholesome home-cooked fare prepared by your host/hostess in the evenings.
If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, we are happy to cater for these, please advise the office of details when you make your booking.
Alcohol is not included in the tour cost, but is available for purchase most nights or you are welcome to bring a small amount with you for personal consumption if you prefer.
Fully Guided
Our guides are very experienced, friendly walkers and kayakers who love to share their knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history. They all hold current first aid certificates, passenger driving licences and are the very best people to ensure your experience will be one to remember.
What Should I Bring?
The Abel Tasman National Park has the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand. Temperatures are usually comfortable year-round with winter sunshine and summer sea breeze. Summer temperatures average 22°C (72° F). Winters feature light morning frosts and cool nights, to enjoy in front of the lodge fires!
However, pack for all weather conditions, as New Zealand weather can be be changeable.
Please bring these items:
- Warm wool and polar fleece layers
- Lightweight raincoat
- Quick-drying thermal layers, even in summer (polypropylene, polar fleece, wool)
- Spare set of hiking clothes
- Day pack (or borrow one of our 30 litre day packs). Use a plastic liner inside to keep your day requirements dry.
- Personal medication (to be carried each day)
- Good sports/hiking shoes (boots may be brought if preferred, but are not necessary for the well-formed track)
- Sandshoes, water socks or sports sandals for tidal crossings (jandals, flip-flops etc. are not suitable)
- Swimwear and towel (optional)
- Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
- Casual evening clothes
- Underwear
- Socks, including spare pairs
- Sleepwear
- Slippers for evening (optional)
- Flashlight/torch
- Lunch and water bottles (supplied by us)
- Camera.
Cotton clothing is not recommended. Cotton (especially denim) is heavy and cold when wet, and is slow to dry.
NOTE: Sun Protection There is a high risk of sunburn due to the park's high sunshine hours and pollution-free skies. The risk applies even on cloudy days. Be sure to use your sunscreen, sunhats and sunglasses.
For walking: Light, comfortable walking shoes are suitable, or worn-in hiking boots if you prefer. You can expect to keep your feet dry, depending on tides and conditions. Occasionally you may have to wade a short distance embarking or disembarking from boats.
For kayaking: We provide spray jackets and buoyancy vests. Bring a spare clothing including warm layers onto the kayak, so you can change into dry clothes if necessary. Please bring suitable footwear for walking on beaches, in case weather conditions necessitate a beach landing, or in case you just want to explore. Sneakers or light shoes/sandals are suitable. Shoes without heel attachments (e.g. jandals, flip-flops, etc) are NOT suitable.
Footwear for use in the kayak itself is optional. Many people find rubber water socks more comfortable than going barefoot, as the socks prevent their heels rubbing against the kayak.
Day packs will be placed in watertight holds on the kayaks. For important items such as cameras and spare clothes, we will supply a special watertight 'dry-bag'. Please note however that we cannot guarantee to keep your camera or other equipment dry.
Lodge Luggage Bag: We will supply you with a sports bag (47x35x25cm). This bag will be carried by launch to the lodges. We will also supply you waterproof plastic bags. Pack all clothing inside these bags before you pack them into your sports bag. This provides extra protection to keep clothes dry during the boat transfers.
NO HAIRDRYERS PLEASE! Our electricity supply is via generator, and cannot power hairdryers. Battery chargers and electric razors are OK.
Please do not bring tissues or paper towels. They add to litter in the park. Please bring cotton handkerchiefs instead.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE VALUABLES INTO THE PARK. Jewellery, wallets, travel documents, passports, etc can be stored securely in our office.
CELLPHONE COVERAGE IS UNAVAILABLE IN SOME PARTS OF THE PARK. This applies south of Awaroa. There is no coverage north of Awaroa Bay.
A shop is available at our office, for last-minute purchases of items such as insect repellent, sunscreen, beach towels, flashlights and batteries, and waterproof disposable cameras.
Tour inclusions
- Guides, chefs and boat crew
- ALL food (breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning and afternoon teas)
- All linen and towels at the lodges
- 750 ml water bottles
- Waterproof plastic liners for bags
- All technical and safety equipment on kayaks. We supply stable double kayaks, water-resistant paddling tops, bouyancy vests and dry bags
- A Lodge Luggage Bag (yours to keep)
- Day packs for you to borrow.
Safety and Risk Management
To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders and fully qualified drivers. Tuatara Tours operate under a Safety and Risk Management Plan which is regularly audited and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.
Photos
Abel Tasman Track click on the pic you wish to see in more detail
All Abel Tasman Photos Courtesy of Wilsons
History
National Park
Perrine Moncrieff, a Nelson conservationist, campaigned to have crown land made into a national park after she became concerned at the prospect of logging along the beautiful coast. Abel Tasman National Park was formally designated as a National Park in 1942.
People
For at least 500 years, Maori have lived along the Abel Tasman coast , gathering food and growing kumara.
Abel Tasman anchored his two ships near Wainui (Golden Bay), in1642. He lost four crew in a fight with the local maori, Ngati Tumatakokiri.
European settlement began around 1855. The settlers logged forests, built ships, quarried granite and fired the hillsides to create pasture.
For a time there was prosperity but soon the easy timber was gone and the hills were invaded by gorse and bracken. Little now remains of their enterprise and the ravaged landscape is slowly healing..
Flora and Fauna
Flora: Black beech covers the dry ridges and headlands, with hard beech where more moisture is available. Kanuka grows where there has been windfall fires. Manuka occurs where repeated burning has taken place.
Areas covered by the highest tides are salt marsh vegetation: rushes, glasswort and sea primrose.
Fauna: Bellbird, fantail, pigeon and tui are the main forest birds. Around the beaches, estuaries and wetlands, pukeko are common.
Wading birds prowl the estuaries, while, gannets, shags and terns can be seen diving offshore. Little penguins feed at sea and return to burrows on the park's islands at night.
Fur seals are found along the coast of the park, particularly on the more remote granite headlands of Separation Point, Tonga Island and Pinnacle Island.
