Immerse yourself with all the luxury of 2 nights at each lodge. Design your own exploration and relaxation.
Please confirm start times with us before you book connecting airline flights.
The longer daylight hours of summer usually allow a more leisurely start to your trip, with pick-up time in Nelson from 10.15 am. There is an earlier start time for low season trips.
Day 1: Nelson/Motueka to Awaroa via Totaranui
Take a scenic drive through the coastal orchard and vineyards lining the highway from Nelson to Motueka and Kaiteriteri.
Board our comfortable Vista Cruise to travel the length of the golden Abel Tasman coast from Kaiteriteri north to TÅtaranui, relaxing on the viewing decks and enjoying refreshments from the cafe.
From TÅtaranui, walk through mature native forest and along secluded beaches to the breathtaking expanse of Awaroa Inlet where youâll reach Meadowbank Homestead â a faithful recreation of the Wilson family's original home on the âfinest site in the bayâ.
If a boat is required to cross the Awaroa estuary at high tide, this will be arranged by your hosts.
Approximate times
Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri â 1 hour from Nelson, or 20 mins from Motueka
Cruise Kaiteriteri to TÅtaranui â 1 hour 40 mins
Walk TÅtaranui to Awaroa â 2.5 hours (9km/5.5 miles) including tidal crossing; maximum elevation 100m/340ft
Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa
Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner
Trip details
*Early times apply to trips during our shoulder season (before December 20 and after 31 March)
Pick up in Nelson: from 10.15am (from *7.00am)
Pick in Motueka: from 11.15am (from *8.15 am)
If you are self-driving please meet at our office by 11.30am (*8.30am)
11.30 (*8.15)am Meet at our Motueka office for a welcome briefing with time for last-minute luggage organisation, before departing to Kaiteriteri by coach.
1.00pm (*9.20am) Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri.
2.40pm (*11.20am) Arrive TÅtaranui.
Walk from TÅtaranui to the Awaroa Inlet. Continue the walk across the inlet if the tide is out, or take a boat ride across the stunning expanse of the largest inlet on the coast.
5pm (approx.): Enjoy a warm welcome at Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa, right on the edge of the inlet. Freshen up with a hot shower in your ensuite room while your hosts prepare a delicious evening meal. Local beer and wine is available for purchase at our in-house bar.
Day 2: Explore Awaroa
Relax over breakfast overlooking the beautiful waters of Abel Tasman's largest tidal estuary. Your hosts will help you create your perfect day whether you want to be active in Awaroaâs beautiful surrounds or just savour the comfort and tranquillity of Meadowbank.
Optional activities
ââ explore Awaroa estuary on foot (up to 4 hours) or kayak (up to 2 hours; tides permitting)
ââ visit early European and pre-European historical sites
ââ unwind on the beach
ââ relax and enjoy the comforts of Meadowbank Homestead
Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Awaroa to Torrent Bay
Your walk today follows the coastal track through cool native forest and reaches golden sand beaches, perfect for swimming. Wake up to another relaxing breakfast in Meadowbankâs lovely surrounds then choose how much walking you want to do; your hosts will arrange boat transfers to suit your needs.
Approximate times
Walk in 3 sections of 2 hours each
Awaroa to Onetahuti and Tonga Quarry â8km/5 miles; maximum elevation 85m/280ft
Tonga Quarry to Bark Bay (Medlands Beach) â 5km/3 miles; maximum elevation 120m/400ft
Bark Bay to Torrent Bay â 7km/4.4 miles; maximum elevation 105m/340ft
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner
Trip details
9.30am Depart Awaroa for the scenic walk to Onetahuti, which features a beautiful boardwalk and bridge designed by the local iwi (Maori tribe). Stroll along the golden sands.
Before climbing the low saddle out of Onetahuti, explore the site of Tonga Quarry. Descend to Bark Bay via the Waterfall Trail featuring views of the cascade from a sturdy swing bridge.
Best lunch spot: At Bark Bay thereâs a shelter, picnic tables, and modern toilets. Rest in the shade, explore the bay or refresh with a swim. After lunch, walk the most varied section the coastal track as it winds through verdant gullies of mature beech forest, fern grottos and groves of fragrant manuka framing coastal vistas. Cross the swing bridge at Falls River and continue to Torrent Bay.
4.30pm (approx.) Arrive at beautiful Torrent Bay with its village of beachfront holiday houses including our Torrent Bay Lodge where your ensuite room and evening meal awaits.
Day 4: Explore Torrent Bay
Your hosts 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
â walk through breathtaking virgin forest up to the waterfalls on Falls River
â kayak or walk around the estuary and visit the peaceful grotto of Cleopatra's Pool
â walk to the golden expanse of Anchorage beach and picturesque Te Pukatea cove visiting historic Maori sites at Pitt Head along the way
â unwind on glorious Torrent Bay beach
â relax and enjoy the comforts of the lodge
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner
Day 5: Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri/Motueka/Nelson
Wake up to golden light over the water and perhaps a coffee on the deck before breakfast. Todayâs walk follows the easiest section of the coastal track from Torrent Bay to Marahau, with panoramic views across Tasman Bay to Nelson. This is a day rich in history, too, as your guide recount stories of how major landmarks were named by early explorers.
Approximate times
Walk 4-5 hours (depending on tides) â 13-16km/8-10 miles; maximum elevation 110m/360ft
Scenic drive from Kaiteriteri â 20 mins to Motueka or 1 hour to Nelson
Meals included: breakfast, morning tea, lunch
Trip details
9am: Depart Torrent Bay Lodge. The tides will determine whether you walk around the inlet taking in views overlooking Anchorage Beach, or take the fun short-cut across the inlet to reach the main coastal track.
Choose your lunch stop: Many side tracks lead off the main track to sheltered beaches with views over the Astrolabe Roadstead to Adele Island.
2.30â3pm Finish your leisurely walk at MÄrahau, at the end of coastal track. Here, our driver meets you for the return journey to Motueka via Kaiteriteri where youâll collect your overnight luggage from the boat.
4pm Arrive Motueka
5.30â6pm: Arrive Nelson
Start/Finish times
- Please confirm times with us before you book connecting airline flights.
- After NZ Daylight Saving ends in April, all trips start early with pick up in Nelson 7.15â7.40am and Motueka 8.15am for the Vista Cruise departure from Kaiteriteri at 9.20am.
- 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.
Other important information
- Walking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of our scheduled ferry services.
- Our 5 Day Walks runs at the same time as our 5 Day Kayak & Walk, so members of your travelling party can book different options, meeting up at the lodges in the evening.
- 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.
