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 3 Day Walk / Kayak tour lets you experience the best of the idyllic Abel Tasman National Park in a limited time.
The Park has among the highest levels of sunshine in New Zealand and features native forest, stunning beaches, impressive headlands, rivers and rock pools. You’ll stay in beachfront homesteads, with plenty of options each day.
Kayak on the coast with the rare dolphins, Fur seals and penguins and visit native Tui and Pukeko in their bush homes in the same day.
Walking Tour
Kayaking Tour
3 days / 2 nights
An average level of fitness. Walk 12kms, Bike 25kms. Well formed tracks and roads with average incline.
NZ$1735
Shoulder Season Price! - NZD$1585
Shoulder Season Dates! September 1 to October 31, April 1 to 30.
Price: NZ$1735
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.
Remember: kayaking or walking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of the 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 your guides’ instructions, your kayaking will be safe and fun.The 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.
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 re creation of the Wilson family’s original home on the ‘finest site in the bay’.
Approximate times
Trip details
Pick up in Nelson or Motueka
Meet your guide at the 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
Awaroa to Torrent Bay
Walk 5km, Kayak 10km
Beachfront Lodge
Wake to breakfast overlooking Meadowbank’s gardens and the waters of Abel Tasman’s largest tidal estuary. Walk over a forested saddle to Onetahuti where your guide will settle you into your stable, double kayak with full instructions and safety briefing. You’ll then kayak through Tonga Island Marine Reserve and explore hidden inlets on the way to Torrent Bay.
Depart Awaroa for the scenic walk to Onetahuti, which features a beautiful boardwalk and bridge designed by local iwi (Maori tribe). Stroll along the golden sands and enjoy refreshments supplied by your guide.
After instructions and safety brief, your guide will lead the way to Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Weather permitting, kayak to the seal colony where New Zealand fur seals breed. Floating on clear, turquoise waters paddle past Tonga Quarry and the Tonga Arches, where your guide will share stories about the unusual granite features and relics from the historic quarry.
Stop for lunch at sheltered Bark Bay, where you can take time out to explore, swim or relax on the golden sand. After lunch, continue beach hopping along the coast with picture-postcard views, including the Falls River and Frenchman’s Bay.
Paddle into beautiful Torrent Bay with its village of beachfront holiday houses including the Torrent Bay Lodge where your ensuite room and evening meal awaits.
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner
Torrent Bay to Motueka / Nelson
Kayak 12km
Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and a hearty breakfast to set you up for paddling to Te Pukatea Bay and past the islands of the Astrolabe Roadstead to Kaiteriteri.
Launch your kayak from Torrent Bay and paddle southwards along the coast while your guide shares stories of early explorers, shows you bays and beaches, and introduces you to the predator-free wildlife sanctuary of Adele Island. If the wind is with you, you may get to hoist a specially designed sail to ride the sea breeze.
Stop for lunch and a rest at a sheltered beach, then continue your journey through azure waters to the famous Kaiteriteri beach.
Finish your tour, 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.
Walking/kayaking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of the scheduled ferry services. This flexibility is perfect for couples or groups with different interests and abilities.
We reserve the right to alter itineraries, timetables and vessel types. All travel subject to weather and tides which may cause delay/cancellation. This itinerary is reversed for Wednesday departures.
This tour is operated in conjunction with another operator.
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; breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, and meals of wholesome home-cooked fare prepared by your host/hostess in the evenings. If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, please advise the office of details when you make your booking. Alcohol is not included in the tour cost, but is available for purchase in the evenings.
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 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.
