All aboard our Vista Cruise vessel! As we cruise from Kaiteriteri at the southern tip of the Park, north to Totaranui we echo the contours of the spectacular Abel Tasman coastline. Relax on the upper or lower viewing decks and enjoy a hot drink from the cafe. From Totaranui, walk through mature beech and rata forests, and along secluded golden beaches to the breathtaking expanse of the Awaroa inlet. A warm kiwi welcome to Meadowbank Homestead At Awaroa, a faithful re-creation of the Wilson family’s original home on the “finest site in the bay”.

• Pick up Nelson (10.15 – 10.45 am) or Motueka (11.30 am) or if you are self driving please meet at our office by 11.30 am. Wednesday departures and some low season departures have an earlier start. See Start/Finish Times (below) for more details.
• Meet your guide at our Motueka office for a welcome briefing with time for last-minute luggage organisation, before departing to Kaiteriteri by coach.
• 1.00 pm: Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri for a fast, safe, comfortable cruise along the National Park coastline. Hot & cold drinks, open and enclosed viewing decks and bathroom facilities on board.
• From Totaranui, walk through mature beech and rata forests, and along secluded golden beaches to the tidal inlet at Awaroa.
• Either walk, if the tide is out, or take a boat ride across the stunning expanses of the largest inlet on the coast.
• Welcome to Meadowbank Homestead At Awaroa, right on the edge of the inlet, where you are welcomed with pre-dinner drinks and fine food.  Here you’ll find comfortable accommodation full of history and kiwi charm.

Approximate Times: 
Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri from Nelson (1 hour) or Motueka (20 mins)
Cruise Kaiteriteri to Totaranui – 1.5 hours
Walk – 2.5 hours (7 kms, 4.5 miles) including tidal crossing
Maximum elevation 60 m (200 ft)

Meals included: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Wake to breakfast overlooking the gardens of Meadowbank Homestead, watching the movement of the tides over golden sands.  Walk with your Guide to the golden expanse of Onetahuti Beach then paddle to Torrent Bay, through Tonga Island Marine Reserve and exploring hidden inlets along the way.

• 9.30 am, depart Awaroa for the scenic walk over the Tonga Saddle to Onetahuti. Here, your guide will settle you into your kayaks with full training and safety brief. Don’t worry, you won’t leave the beach until your guide is satisfied you can safely negotiate the coast in your kayak. (If you are a travelling on your own, your Guide will find a suitable paddling partner for you).
• Weather permitting, there’s the opportunity to visit the Seal Colony on Tonga Island where New Zealand fur seals breed. It’s often possible to spot new-born pups here in December and January.
• Enjoy the sensation of paddling through the clear turquoise waters of the Park as we cruise past Tonga Quarry and the Tonga Arches, where your guide will explain the history of this granite area, pointing out some of the unusual natural features and relics from the historic quarry.
• Midday, stop for lunch at sheltered Bark Bay, where you can take time out to explore, swim or relax on the golden sand
• After lunch, we continue our paddle, beach hopping along the coast with picture-postcard views, including the Falls River and Frenchman’s Bay,
• At around 4.30 pm paddle into Torrent Bay to be welcomed with refreshments and a hot shower in your ensuite room.

Approximate times: 
Walk Awaroa to Onetahuti 1.5 hours (5 kms, 3 miles)
Max elevation 85 m (280 ft)
Sea Kayak Onetahuti to Torrent Bay 4 hours (10 kms, 6 miles)

Meals included: Breakfast, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and perhaps a coffee on the deck before a hearty home-cooked breakfast to set you up for another day of scenic paddling.

• Around 9.30 am we leave Torrent Bay by kayak and glide southwards along the coast, to discover the pristine bays and beaches named by French Explorer, Dumont D’urville in 1827.
• Paddle the idyllic waters of Te Pukatea Bay.  In the sheltered Astrolabe Roadstead, paddle along the picturesque coast of Adele Island, now a predator-free sanctuary ringing with birdsong.
• If the wind is with you, your guide will help you hoist a specially designed sail so you can ride the sea breeze.
• We’ll stop for lunch and a rest at any one of the bays, before we continue our journey through azure waters to the famous Kaiteriteri beach, where our driver will be waiting to meet you for the return journey to Motueka (4.30 pm) or Nelson (5.30 – 6.00 pm).**

Approximate times: 
Sea Kayak Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri 4.5 hours (12 kms)
Scenic drive Kaiteriteri to Motueka (20 mins) or Nelson (1 hour)

Meals included: Breakfast, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Lunch

This itinerary is reversed for Wednesday departures.

Start/Finish times

The direction of this trip may be reversed on some departures with earlier pick up in Nelson (7.15 – 7.40 am) and Motueka (8.15 am).

The earlier pick-up applies to most Wednesday departures and all departures after NZ daylight savings time finishes at the beginning of April.

If Start/Finish times don’t suit your itinerary, please contact us to make alternative arrangements. All our itineraries can be flexible to accommodate your needs or schedule.

Please confirm the start/finish time with us before you book connecting airline flights.

Important Additional Information:

Walking/kayaking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of our scheduled ferry services. This flexibility is perfect for couples or groups with different interests and abilities. Our 3 Day Walking Break runs at the same time as our 3 Day Kayak & Walk Break, so members of your traveling party can choose different options.

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.