At a Glance
Enjoy two and a half days of glorious cycling, exploring the Great Taste Trail Coastal Route from Stoke to Kaiteriteri. Then walk and kayak in the Abel Tasman National Park for two and a half days, staying in the beachfront lodges. This is the ultimate combination of relaxation and adventure. Explore the world famous Abel Tasman Coast Track in three authentic ways!
Classed as one of 'New Zealand's Great Walks', the Abel Tasman Coast Track follows the coastline through lush native bush, over limestone cliffs and along golden sandy beaches.
Tasman's Great Taste Trail is a network of cycleways along a sparkling coast, looping through the Tasman region's picturesque countryside dotted with galleries, vineyards and restaurants. You will ride on the trail to enjoy postcard-perfect views.
At end of your daily adventure, return ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Guided walking & kayaking with experienced guides
- Self guided cycling with support team. Includes bike hire, trail maps with route notes
- 2 nights' accommodation in Mapua and Motueka on a twin share basis (single supplement available at additional expenses)
- Stay at two beachfront lodges within the Abel Tasman National Park for the nights of Day 3 & Day 4. Shampoo, conditioner, soap and moisturiser provided at the two lodges. Hairdryers available on request. All meals designed by the in-house Chef and served by your skilled Lodge Hosts. Including full or continental breakfasts, picnic lunches, snacks, juice, fresh fruit, morning and afternoon teas, and dinners. In-house bar where you can purchase a selection of local beers and wines (eftpos or credit card). Guest's own expense
- No heavy pack to carry. All luggage transfers and storage are arranged for you
- Modern, top quality kayak gear: buoyancy aid, spray jacket and skirt, dry bags
- Scenic cruise along the length of the spectacular Tasman coast & view seals in their natural habitat
- All scheduled boat transfers in the Park
- Lodge luggage bag to be transported to our lodges by boat. This bag is yours to keep. Day packs available to borrow
- All transport including return transport to/from Nelson
- Small group of 16 or less for guided kayaking and walking
Itinerary
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Cycling distance: Cycle 22 km (Easy Grade). 9:30am: Shuttle transfer from Nelson central to the cycle specialists for your pre-ride briefing. Pick up your 21-speed comfort bike with fitting and adjustment to suit you. Luggage will be transported to your accommodation in Mapua. Head off on Tasman's Great Taste Trail. Some of highlights on the trail: The ride today has no hills, so you will have ample time to visit a craft brewery, enjoy estuary views, stop for a swim and take a ferry built for bikes. Around lunch time cross the Mapua estuary from Rabbit Island to Mapua Wharf. The short ferry ride links the trail at Rabbit Island to the Mapua Wharf. Take time to explore the pretty coastal village of Mapua. Relax and explore the vibrant Mapua community including bars, cafes, restaurants, museums and galleries. It is casual and summery here, with kids swimming, busy cafes, a brewery, and hot smoked fish and chips best eaten straight out of the paper. And pick up a patisserie or two in the village too, they are pretty hard to resist. 3:00 - 4:00 pm: check in at your accommodation in the heart of the village. Your B & B accommodation is near Mapua. You got a few dinner options (at your own cost).There is a casual cafe or fine dining restaurant on the wharf or on the beach. Boutique bars have social and relaxed dining. |
Mapua B & B
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Cycling distance: Cycle 26 km (Easy to Moderate Grade). Some highlights of your day: Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your B & B before departure. There are some rolling hills and spectacular views along the trail today (max elevation 100m) and two cafes with rambling gardens. From Mapua the Great Taste Trail follows the coast to the sleepy settlement of Ruby Bay before ducking up onto an elevated route above the coast among the apple orchards. It is a beautiful gentle downhill into Tasman, home to the first quirky café, a stylish pottery and an optional detour out to the beachfront on the Kina Peninsula. The route then turns back uphill to follow a rolling trail along a ridge and down into Lower Moutere. The charming cafe here is at the original Riverside Community, the oldest alternative community in NZ. The last section of trail into Motueka follows around the estuary waterfront, past rambling gardens and grassy beach reserves. Look out for the Saltwater Baths and the old wharf. 3:00 - 4:00 pm: check in at your accommodation located in the heart of town, close to dinner venues.Your overnight Lodge Luggage bags will be delivered to your overnight accommodation in Motueka. Dinner: Choose a café, bar or restaurant in Motueka (at your own cost). |
Motueka MotelBreakfast |
Cycle distance: 17.5 km (Easy to Moderate Grade); Cruise 1 Hour; Walk 7 km, 2.5 hours (Easy Grade). Cycle the Great Taste Trail from Motueka passing tidal inlets, orchards, cafes and a boutique brewery in the rural town of Riwaka. Your personal guide will meet you at 9:00am to provide any support you need for the last leg of the ride through to Kaiteriteri. This section of the trail travels through the fruit-growing area of Motueka with trail-side stalls providing a range of fruit to sample. As you rejoin the coast, the trail climbs and drops beside the road for a section before ducking into the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park. The final section of the Great Taste Trail is a 3.1 km "Easy Rider" trail through Kaiteriteri's Mountain Bike Park, weaving through forest to the golden sands of Kaiteriteri. The surface here is smooth and it is not technical, but some riders might want to take it very gently as there are some tight corners. The trail winds down through the bush and pine trees and you will soon get your first glimpse of your destination - the stunning golden shores of Kaiteriteri Beach.Vehicle support is available for any cyclists who wish to avoid this section. 12:30pm: Meet your cycling support team at Kaiteriteri and transfer to the next point for walking and kayaking pre-trip briefing, with time for last-minute luggage organisation. 1:00pm: Watercruise 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. Around 5:00pm: Be welcomed with pre-dinner drinks and food by your hosts at Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa. |
Meadowbank HomesteadBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 5 km, approx. 2 hours walking (Easy Grade); 10 km, 4 hours sea kayaking. 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. Depart Awaroa at around 9:30am 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. |
Torrent Bay LodgeBreakfast, Morning & Afternoon tea, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking and Kayaking distance: 12 km, approx. 4.5 hours sea kayaking Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and perhaps a coffee on the deck before breakfast. Depart Torrent Bay Lodge at about 9:00 am. Then on your final day, walk the easiest section of the coastal track from Torrent Bay to Marahau, with panoramic views across Tasman Bay to Nelson. Along the way you’ll rediscover 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. Stop for lunch and a rest at any one of the bays, before we continue your journey through azure waters to the famous Kaiteriteri beach, where your driver will be waiting to meet you for the return journey to Nelson (arrive at 5:30 - 6:00 pm). |
NoneBreakfast, Morning & Afternoon tea, LunchAccommodation
Dates & Prices
Please contact us for group bookings or private departures.
More Info
The departure point is Nelson, New Zealand.
How to Get to Nelson, NZ
BY SEA
Regular Cook Strait ferries provide vehicle and passenger access between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.
BY AIR
Nelson is fortunate to have five airlines servicing the region: Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Originair, Sounds Air and air2there in and out of Nelson Airport, along with Golden Bay Air, based at Takaka in Golden Bay.
BY ROAD
The Nelson Tasman region is accessible by road from Christchurch, Blenheim, Picton, the West Coast and Murchison.
Day 1: Cycle nelson to Mapua, 22 km, self guided
Day 2: Cycle map to Motueka, 26 km, self guided
Day 3: Cycle Motueka to Kaiteriteri 17 km, self guided; Water cruise 1 hour, fully guided; Walk 7 km, 2.5 hours, fully guided
Day 4: Approximately 5 km, 2 hours walking, fully guided; 10 km, 4 hours sea kayaking, fully guided
Day 5: Approximately 12 km, 4.5 hours sea kayaking, fully guided
Total: Approximately 65 km cycling; 12 km walking; and 22 km sea kayaking
With mild climate and sea breezes, the Abel Tasman National Park displays its stunning beauty any time of year.
Summer months are the most popular months for spending time on the golden beaches, book ahead to ensure your walking holiday.
Autumn is cooler in the evenings. As seasonal berries ripen, the forest comes alive with birdsong. Sea birds flock and maturing New Zealand fur seal pups are out exploring for new territories.
Winter sunshine warms clear, crisp days. It’s ideal for photography as you can get amazing images with no sea breeze to ruffle the crystal water, and no heat haze to soften the vistas.
Springcomes and the forest wakes. Native flowers are small and subtle, rewarding the careful observer with surprising variety and perfumes. Temperatures are ideal for walking and kayaking.
(Data sourced from www.doc.govt.nz, monitored at Totaranui, Units = °C)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
