‘The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of New Zealand’s ’10 Great Walks’ – and for good reason. The mild climate, golden beaches and native forest shows off the wide variety and stunning beauty New Zealand has to offer.
The Abel Tasman Coastal Walk — 5 Days is a leisurely tour of sunny Abel Tasman National Park’s forests and golden-sand beaches in the South Island of New Zealand. This tour provides the perfect balance: 3 days hiking the world-famous coastal track, and 2 days based at cosy lodges where you can relax, or strike out and explore.
A boat cruise will take you to the start of your walk through lush native forest and beaches from Totaranui in the north to Marahau in the south. Wind your way along the famous shores of the Marlborough region as you traverse Abel Tasman National Park, finding secrets like Cleopatra’s Pool and Cascade Falls along the way.
Walking Tour
5 days / 4 nights
An average level of fitness. Walk 12kms, Bike 25kms. Well formed tracks and roads with average incline.
NZ$2,495
Demand is heavy, book early to avoid missing out.
Shoulder Season Dates! September 1 to October 31, April 1 to 30.
Price: NZ$2,495
Pre Tour
On the night prior to your tour we will deliver a gear bag to your hotel/motel reception. This is the bag you will use for your overnight luggage for the tour. It is a black sports bag with a plastic liner and is yours to take away after the tour.
Please pack into this the items you will need each night at the lodges. Any excess gear can be stored for you at the walk office on the day of departure.
On the morning of your first day, you will be picked up from your accommodation, or if you have a car, you will be directed to safe parking. Day Packs can be borrowed if required, and excess luggage can be safely stored. There is a safe in the office for use if you need to store valuable items.
Lodges operate on a tab system so any payments for drinks etc are settled at the end of the tour.
Please Note: This tour is very flexible, with a number of options available to take optimal advantage of weather conditions for your walking comfort.
Nelson / Motueka to Awaroa via Totaranui
7km
Meadowbank Homestead
Board the comfortable Vista Cruise to travel the length of the golden Abel Tasman coast from Kaiteriteri north to Totaranui, relaxing on the viewing decks and enjoying refreshments from the cafe.
From Totaranui, walk through mature native forest and along secluded beaches to the breathtaking expanse of Awaroa Inlet where you’ll reach Meadowbank Homestead – a faithful recreation of the Wilson family’s original home on the ‘finest site in the bay’.
Approximate times
Trip details
Pick up in Nelson or Motueka
Please note that Wednesday departures and some low season departures have an earlier start.
Meet your guide at our Motueka office for a welcome briefing with time for last-minute luggage organisation, before departing to Kaiteriteri by coach.
Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri.
Arrive Totaranui to walk to Awaroa Inlet. Either walk, if the tide is out, or take a boat ride across the stunning expanse of the largest inlet on the coast.
Enjoy a warm welcome at Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa, right on the edge of the inlet. Freshen up with a hot shower in your ensuite room while your hosts prepare a delicious evening meal. Local beer and wine is available for purchase at the in-house bar.
Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa
Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
Explore Awaroa
Relax over breakfast overlooking Meadowbank’s gardens and the beautiful waters of Abel Tasman’s largest tidal estuary. Your guide will help you create your perfect day whether you want to be active in Awaroa’s beautiful surrounds or just savour the comfort and tranquillity of Meadowbank.
Optional activities
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner
Awaroa to Torrent Bay
17km
Torrent Bay Lodge
Your walk today follows the coastal track through cool native forest and reaches golden sand beaches, perfect for swimming. Wake up to another relaxing breakfast in Meadowbank’s lovely surrounds then choose how much walking you want to do; your guide will arrange boat transfers to suit your needs.
Depart Awaroa for the scenic walk to Onetahuti, which features a beautiful boardwalk and bridge designed by the ocal iwi (Maori tribe). Stroll along the golden sands and enjoy refreshments supplied by your guide.
Before climbing the low saddle out of Onetahuti, explore the site of Tonga Quarry and hear stories of the unusual granite features and historic relics. Descend to Bark Bay via the Waterfall Trail featuring views of the cascade from a sturdy swing bridge.
Relax over lunch at Bark Bay where there’s a shelter, picnic tables, filtered drinking water and modern toilets. Rest in the shade, explore the bay or refresh with a swim. After lunch, you’ll walk the most varied section the coastal track as it winds through verdant gullies of mature beech forest, fern grottos and groves of fragrant manuka framing coastal vistas. Cross the swing bridge at Falls River and continue to Torrent Bay.
Arrive at beautiful Torrent Bay with its village of beachfront holiday houses including our Torrent Bay Lodge where your ensuite room and evening meal awaits.
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Explore Torrent Bay
Your guide will happily help you choose what to do today, whether you want to head off on adventures or just relax at the beachfront lodge.
Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri to Motueka/Nelson
13 to 16km
Wake up to golden light over the water and perhaps a coffee on the deck before breakfast. Today’s walk follows the easiest section of the coastal track from Torrent Bay to Marahau, with panoramic views across Tasman Bay to Nelson. This is a day rich in history, too, as your guide recount stories of how major landmarks were named by early explorers.
Meals included: breakfast, morning tea, lunch
Depart Torrent Bay Lodge. The tides will determine whether you walk around the inlet taking in views overlooking Anchorage Beach, or take the fun short-cut across the inlet to reach the main coastal track.
Stop for lunch at a sheltered beach with views over the Astrolabe Roadstead to Adele Island.
Finish your leisurely walk at Marahau, at the end of coastal track, where a driver will meet you for the return journey to Motueka via Kaiteriteri where you’ll collect your overnight luggage from the boat
Those returning to Nelson will be dropped off back in the city centre around 5:30pm.
This tour is operated in conjunction with another operator.
This tour is very flexible, with a number of options available to take optimal advantage of weather conditions. The direction of the trip may be reversed on some departures, with earlier pick up in Nelson and Motueka.
Departure Timetable This trip operates year-round and leaves every Tuesday. Special itineraries can be arranged on other days, subject to availability. Please contact us for details.
Trip departures from May to October require a minimum of 4 people.
If you wish to book with less than 4 people during these months, please contact us for a confirmed departure date.
Based on a twin share. Double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities. Communal lounge with tea and coffee making facilities
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 us of details when you make your booking.
All meals are included in your tour cost. Wine and other beverages are available to be purchased during dinners.
Your luggage is transported for the duration of the tour. All you carry is a small day pack with your personal gear, drink and lunch. An overnight bag is provided for you to pack your gear into.
(See pre tour checklist)
The guides are very experienced, friendly walkers and bikers who love to share their knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history. They all hold current first aid certificates and are the very best people to ensure your experience will be one to remember.
To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders. This tour is run in conjunction with another operator.
