Pay less than $59 per day for three Cruise & Walk day passes to be used in any consecutive seven day period. Book your chosen travel the day before to secure the best trip for you, based around the weather and tides.
Trip Overview
Start
Open departure
End
Open return
Walking
You decide
Cruise
Open
From
NZ$175
Availability
All Year
Trip Route Map & Information
Receive three Cruise & Walk open day passes to be used anytime over a seven day period. Choose your option the day before travel.
Contact us to book your 3 Day Explorer Pass and discuss your options.
Here are some suggestions to experience as much of the park as you can over three days. These are recommended trips only – you can design your own adventure!
| Day 1 Travel to the isolated northern beaches of the park. Cruise into Tonga Island Marine Reserve, pausing to view the antics at the seal colony. Disembark at historic Tonga Quarry, then walk along the golden sands of Onetahuti Beach and over a forested saddle to Awaroa for your pickup. Cruise north to Totaranui before returning to Kaiteriteri. If you prefer, disembark at Awaroa and explore the largest tidal estuary in the Park, instead of walking from Tonga Quarry |
| Day 2 Choose a Cruise & Walk Option in the centre of the park, e.g. Swing Bridge, Bush and Beach Walk or Seals and Beach Walk |
| Day 3 Cruise to Anchorage to spend relaxing day on the beach, explore the Pitt Head Loop Track or walk the easy southern section of the coastal track towards Marahau. The track winds through sunny forest groves with spectacular coastal views and side tracks to picturesque beaches overlooking the islands in the Astrolabe Roadstead. Pick up at Apple Tree Bay to return to Kaiteriteri. |
Coach transfers: your 3 Day Explorer Pass includes one day of return coach transfers between Motueka and Kaiteriteri. All other coach transfers are charged at advertised cost.
What to bring
We enjoy glorious weather, summer and winter. Temperatures can be crisp in the mornings and cool in late afternoon with summer sea breezes. Bring a warm layer of wool or polar fleece and a light rain jacket to ensure your comfort.
Wear quick-dry, loose fitting clothing. You are walking beside the sea, so might have to roll up trousers and remove shoes for short tidal crossings.
The coastal track is well formed and mostly shaded by native forest. The track comes down onto golden-sand beaches fringed by lush native forest and protected azure waters - ideal for swimming.
Not recommended: Cotton clothing (especially denim) is very heavy and cold if it gets wet. It takes a long time to dry. Thermal, quick-dry fabrics are best e.g. polypropylene, polarfleece, wool.
We recommend a small day pack, with the following items:
- Extra clothing. New Zealand weather is renowned for providing four seasons in one day so quick-dry thermal fabrics are best
- Sun protection. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential in all weather. We enjoy the highest number of sunshine hours in the country. Our clear skies with no pollution result in a very high risk of sunburn, even on cloudy days
- Insect repellent
- Waterproof jacket with hood
- Swimwear and towel (optional)
- Drinking water
- Lunch. If it has not been ordered the day before you travel, please bring your own
- Camera. Remember to check the batteries!
- Hand sanitiser. No hand wipes or paper tissues/towels please. They create litter and clog the toilet systems.
The coastal track is well formed and walking sticks are not necessary. However, if you have weak leg joints, or poor balance, you might prefer to bring them.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is well-formed and heavy hiking boots aren't necessary, but you can wear them if you prefer.
WE RECOMMEND
Light walking shoes or sports sandals
Sand shoes for kayaking or estuary crossings
NOT RECOMMENDED
Footwear that is not firmly attached to the foot e.g. jandals, flip flops, slides, etc.
You are welcome to bring your own lunch. The Vista Cruise has a selection of hot and cold drinks (including beer and wine), ice creams, snacks and light meals.
If you would like a delicious picnic lunch prepared for you and delivered to the boat, or to your kayak guide, please give us your order by 6 pm the night before your trip.
You can buy food at the Kaiteriteri departure point. Please allow time as the shop can be busy when boats are departing. There is also one public restaurant/cafe in the park at Awaroa Lodge. Please book your lunch directly with them by phoning 03 528 8758.
Our picnic lunches can cater for most dietary requirements. The menus below all have vegetarian, vegan, gluten, nut and dairy-free options with similar ingredients, modified to suit special diets.
Classic picnic lunch (NZ$27 per person)
- Ploughman's Sandwich with salad and sliced beef (vegetarian option: roasted aubergine)
- Crisp Apple
- Vegetable Quiche
- Banana Bread Loaf (gluten/dairy free option: chocolate muffin)
- Whittaker's Chocolate Peanut Slab (vegan, gluten and dairy-free varieties available)
Lite picnic lunch (NZ$17 per person)
Standard or Vegetarian only
- Ploughman's Sandwich
- Crisp Apple
- Banana Bread Loaf
Gourmet hamper lunch (NZ$45 per person)
- Nelson's hand-made Proper Crisps (potato crisps lightly seasoned with sea salt).
- Ploughman's Sandwich with salad and sliced beef (vegetarian option: roasted aubergine)
- Crisp Apple
- Couscous salad (gluten-free option available)
- Camembert Cheese with grapes and crackers
- Banana Bread Loaf (gluten/dairy free option: chocolate muffin)
- Whittaker's Chocolate Peanut Slab (vegan, gluten and dairy-free varieties available)
FAQ
New Zealand MetService puts the Nelson/Motueka region amongst the sunniest places in the country with over 2,350 bright sunshine hours per year. Average rainfall in the Nelson region is 988mm (38inches) per year. This rises to about 1800mm as you travel north to Totaranui.
For Nelson's daily weather forecasts, visit the New Zealand MetService website.
Average air temperatures and rainfall through the year
|
Mean Daily |
Mean Daily |
Average Rain |
|
|
Summer (Dec/Jan/Feb) |
22/72 |
13/55 |
6 |
|
Autumn (Mar/Apr/May) |
18/64 |
8/46 |
8 |
|
Winter (Jun/Jul/Aug) |
13/55 |
3/37 |
10 |
|
Spring (Sept/Oct/Nov) |
17/63 |
7/45 |
10 |
Following Covid travel disruptions, local bus services for day trips have been suspended. Please contact us for solutions.
Kaiteriteri has free, all-day parking. During the busy holiday season (Dec 20 to end February) it can be difficult to find a convenient parking spot. Please allow at least 30 minutes to find a park and walk back to check-in 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Overnight parking at Kaiteriteri Beach:
Available free except for the busy holiday season 20 December to 18 February. During this time, limited free overnight parking is available in the trailer park on Martin Farm Road, 15 mins walk (1 km) from check in at Kaiteriteri.
Parking is not secure. To avoid temptation please do not leave valuables in your car.