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Walk New Zealand’s Abel Tasman National Park

Walk New Zealand’s Abel Tasman National Park

From $ 2,065 AUD

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Description

Follow the iconic Coast Track of Abel Tasman National Park on this 5-day walking tour through New Zealand’s unspoiled wilderness. Explore pristine bays with golden-sand beaches and native forests of kanuka and manuka trees as you head from the rural village of Marahau to the remote paradise of Awaroa. This South Island coastal hiking adventure includes a bit of luxe and a lot of local expertise, with nights in cosy cabins, daily transportation to the trek via water taxis, and an in-the-know leader to help you navigate the trails and the tides.

Trip Name
Walk New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park
Last Updated
2023-05-02
Days
5
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Spend three full days exploring the picturesque Abel Tasman National Park, discovering golden-sand beaches and secluded bays only accessible by boat or on foot.
  • Experience Abel Tasman’s most classic hike without lugging all your stuff, thanks to daily water taxis from your accommodations to the trail start points.
  • Kick up your weary walking feet at the end of each day with stays in cosy cabins and lodges right inside the park grounds.
  • Cross the challenging Awaroa Inlet and navigate the fast-changing tide under the expert guidance of a local leader.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Nelson
Welcome to Nelson! Tucked on the shores of Tasman Bay, Nelson is your jumping off point for your walking adventure through Abel Tasman National Park. Meet your group and local leader at your 6pm Welcome Meeting. If you plan to arrive in town earlier, you can explore a bit of Nelson on a scenic town walk and a stop at a local winery or brewery. The evening, after the welcome meeting, is free to see more of the town. Perhaps join your fellow travellers for dinner, or rest up for the hiking days to come.
Day 2 - Abel Tasman National Park / Marahau
Today you’ll get your first taste of the most classic hike of Abel Tasman, the Coast Track. Grab breakfast at your accommodation or head out to a nearby cafe before jumping in your private transfer (approximately 1 hour) to the rural village of Marahau which is the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Hop aboard a water taxi that will sail you past the unusual Split Apple Rock – a unique geological formation that, according to Maori legend, was split in half by two feuding gods. See if you can spot the colony of fur seals as you cruise past Adele Island. You’ll disembark at Anchorage, where you’ll begin your walk along the Coast Track, with picturesque rest stops along the way, such as at the golden sand beaches of Apple Tree Bay where you'll tuck into your picnic lunch. Your walk will lead you back to Marahau, where you’re free to relax for the evening. Maybe grab your group for a dinner of woodfired pizzas at the cosy Park Cafe before retiring to your cabin for the evening.
Day 3 - Abel Tasman National Park / Awaroa
This morning climb aboard another water taxi for a cruise over to the beautiful Bark Bay, a strip of tree-lined land with a beach on one side and a tidal estuary on the other. Today’s hike will take you through groves of manuka trees, past the historic Tonga Quarry and out onto the shores of Onetahuti Bay, one of the longest beaches in the Abel Tasman, a great place for lunch. Finish your hike at the paradise-like Awaroa Bay – a place so beloved by locals that New Zealanders purchased it in a 2016 crowd-funding campaign to prevent it from falling into private ownership. In the evening, relax by the indoor fireplace or outside in the garden bar at your secluded, no-road-access lodging.
Day 4 - Abel Tasman National Park / Marahau
Take the water taxi from Awaroa to Totaranui for a scenic hike along sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Here, nature is strictly in charge. The Northern Loop from Totaranui takes you up Gibbs Hill Track, to Whariwharangi Hut, then Separation Point, and Anapai Bay. There are sharp contrasts in vegetation between dry ridgecrest kānuka associations and the lush valley forest seen on the gentle descent into Anapai Bay. Anapai is one of the National Park’s loveliest bays, its beach divided into two by rocky outcrops with considerable contrast of shapes between the harder rock at the northern end of the beach, and the softer, more deeply weathered granite to the south. Explore picturesque beaches and native forest as you work your way back to Totaranui from where you'll be catching the Watertaxi back to Marahau.
Day 5 - Abel Tasman National Park / Nelson
Enjoy some free time this morning in Marahau, before hopping back on your private transfer back to Nelson. Your Abel Tasman tour finishes on arrival in Nelson and you are free to depart at your leisure or spend more time exploring the surrounding area.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
22-10-202326-10-2023AUD $ 2,065-
19-11-202323-11-2023AUD $ 2,065-
10-12-202314-12-2023AUD $ 2,125-
17-12-202321-12-2023AUD $ 2,125-
07-01-202411-01-2024AUD $ 2,125-
04-02-202408-02-2024AUD $ 2,065-
24-03-202428-03-2024AUD $ 2,065-

Accommodation

Hostel (1 night),Cabin (with shared facilities) (2 nights),Lodge (1 night)

Transport

Private vehicle,Water taxi

Map

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