Adventure through the day, then come home to a hot shower, and 3-course meal cooked for you. Central heating and open fire ensure your comfort.
*Kayaking and walking is optional. Times are approximate. Your guide can arrange boat transfers to suit how much relaxing or exploring you want to do.
This itinerary applies to trip departures from 1 May to early September.
Day 1: Nelson/Motueka to Torrent Bay
Board our comfortable Vista Cruise to travel the length of the golden Abel Tasman coast from Kaiteriteri north into Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Land at Tonga Quarry then walk and/or kayak to Torrent Bay.
Approximate times
Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri – 1 hour from Nelson, or 20 mins from Motueka
Cruise Kaiteriteri to Tonga Quarry – 1 hour 30 mins
*Kayak option: Tonga (Onetahuti) to Torrent Bay - 4 hours (10km/6 miles)
* Walk options:
- 4 hours Tonga to Torrent Bay, 12kms/7.5 miles, maximum elevation 120m/400ft
- 2 hours Medlands to Torrent Bay, 7km/4.4 miles, maximum elevation 105m/340ft
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
Trip details
Pick up in Nelson (from 7.00am) or Motueka (8.15am).
If you are self-driving please meet at our office by 8.30am.
8.30am Meet your guide at our Motueka office for a welcome briefing with time for last-minute luggage organisation, before departing to Kaiteriteri by coach.
9.20am Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri.
10.50am Arrive Tonga Quarry
Kayakers walk 20 minutes to Onetahuti where your Guide introduces you to kayaking with full instructions and safety brief. Then, explore the spectacular golden coast by kayak, including viewing the seal colony on Tonga Island (weather permitting).
Walkers follow the coastal track to Medlands Beach with their Guide, through lush native forest fringing panoramic coastal views.
12 noon walkers choosing the 2 hour walk disembark at Medlands Beach after a scenic cruise to Totaranui. Then, relax or explore to meet up with other walkers and Guide before walking to Torrent Bay.
4.30-5.00pm (appprox) Welcome to Torrent Bay with its village of beachfront holiday houses including our Torrent Bay Lodge where your ensuite room and evening meal awaits.
Day 2: Explore Torrent Bay
Your guide will happily help you choose what to do today, whether you want to head off on adventures or just relax at the beachfront lodge.
Optional activities
– walk through breathtaking virgin forest up to the waterfalls on Falls River
– kayak or walk around the estuary and visit the peaceful grotto of Cleopatra's Pool
– walk to the golden expanse of Anchorage beach and picturesque Te Pukatea cove visiting historic Maori sites at Pitt Head along the way
– unwind on glorious Torrent Bay beach
– relax and enjoy the comforts of the lodge
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri/Motueka/Nelson
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, or walking beside the Astrolabe Roadstead to Marahau.
Discuss all the options with your Guide. You can choose to relax and explore around the inlet, then join the Vista Cruise at Anchorage or Torrent Bay to return to Kaiteriteri.
Approximate times
*Walk Torrent Bay to Marahau, 4-5 hours (depending on tides), 13-16km/8-10 miles; maximum elevation 110m/360ft
* Sea kayak Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri – 4.5 hours (12km)
Scenic drive from Marahau or Kaiteriteri – 20 mins to Motueka or 1 hour to Nelson
Meals included: breakfast, morning tea, lunch
Trip details
9.30am
Kayak option: 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.
Walking option: at high tide, follow the coastal track around the Torrent Bay inlet with a gentle climb to spectacular views overlooking Anchorage Beach. At low tide, walk across the estuary, along Anchorage Beach, then make the gentle climb to the main coastal track. Follow the well-graded track with views over the Astrolabe Roadstead to Nelson.
12 noon Stop for lunch and a rest at a sheltered beach, then continue your journey to Marahau and the famous Kaiteriteri beach.
3.00–3.30pm Finish your leisurely walk at Marahau, at the end of coastal track, where our driver will meet you for the return journey to Motueka via Kaiteriteri.
4.00pm: Meet up with the Kayakers at Kaiteriteri and collect your overnight luggage from the boat.
4.30pm: Arrive Motueka.
5.30–6pm: Arrive Nelson.
Other important information
- We reserve the right to alter itineraries, timetables and vessel types.
- All travel is subject to weather and tides which may cause delay or cancellation.