At a Glance
Kayak the sheltered southern coast & walk the isolated northern beaches. This is the ultimate combination of relaxation and adventure. Explore the world famous Abel Tasman Coast Track in two 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.
At the very top of the South Island there is the glittering Abel Tasman National Park. Abel Tasman Coast Track is the perfect way to explore the beauty of the Park. The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's only coastal national park. Inviting sandy beaches fill the spaces between trees and tide line. Crystal clear streams tumble down mossy valleys to join the ocean. Granite and marble formations fringe the ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Guided walking & kayaking with experienced guides
- All transport and guiding
- 4 nights’ beachfront lodge accommodation on a twin share basis (single supplement available at additional expenses) with ensuite bathroom
- Shampoo, conditioner, soap and moisturiser provided. 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
Itinerary
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Walk Totaranui to Awaroa – 2.5 hours (7km/4.5 miles) including tidal crossing; maximum elevation 100m/340ft Take a scenic drive through the coastal orchard and vineyards lining the highway from Nelson to Motueka and Kaiteriteri. All aboard the water cruise! Cruise from Kaiteriteri at the southern tip of the Park, north to Totaranui 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. Here, a warm kiwi welcome awaits you at Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa, serviced with fine food. Pickup Location & Time: NOTE: The direction of this trip may be reversed on some departures with earlier pick up in Nelson (7:15 - 7:40 am). 10:45am pick up from Nelson Airport - allowing guests to fly in on the morning. |
Meadowbank Homestead
Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Dinner |
Walking distance: 12 - 15 km, approx. 4 hours walking (Moderate Grade) or kayak (up to 2 hours; tides permitting). Wake up to a home-cooked breakfast and sweeping views across Awaroa inlet, the largest tidal estuary in Abel Tasman National Park. Enjoy the comfortable surroundings of the lodge and perhaps a coffee on the verandah watching the movement of the tides over golden sand. Then, let your guide design your day to be as active or relaxed. You have opportunity to explore Awaroa estuary on foot (up to 4 hours) or kayak (up to 2 hours; tides permitting). Visit early European and pre-European historical sites, unwind on the beach or relax and just savour the comfort and tranquillity of Meadowbank. Spend another night at Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa. |
Meadowbank HomesteadBreakfast, Morning & Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner |
Walk from Awaroa to Onetahuti – 1.5 hours (5km/3 miles); max. elevation 85m/280ft. Sea kayak from Onetahuti to Torrent Bay – 4 hours (10km/6 miles) Wake to breakfast overlooking the gardens of Meadowbank Homesead, 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 9:30 am 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 distance: 10 km, approx. 5 hours walking (Moderate Grade). A day of choices! Let your guide plan a day to be as adventurous or relaxing as you like with another night at Torrent Bay Lodge, right on the beach. Your options are: |
Torrent Bay LodgeBreakfast, Morning & Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner |
Sea kayak from Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri – 4.5 hours (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. Continue your journey through azure waters to the famous Kaiteriteri beach, where a driver will be waiting to meet you for the return journey to Motueka (4.30 pm) or Nelson (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: Approximately 7 km, 2.5 hours
Day 2: Approximately 8 - 10 km, 4 hours walking; or 5 km, 2 hours sea kayaking
Day 3: Approximately 5 km, 2 hours walking; and 10 km, 4 hours sea kayaking
Day 4: Approximately 10 km, 5 hours walking
Day 5: Approximately 12 km, 4.5 hours sea kayaking
Total: Approximately 30 - 32 km walking, and 17 - 27 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.
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.
