Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park Day Walks Anchorage Bay

Trip Overview

Anchorage is a long, golden-sand beach with bush and beach walking options. Department of Conservation facilities include shelter, picnic tables, filtered drinking water, and flushing toilets.

Cruise through the Astrolabe Roadstead then relax on the beach or enjoy a walk. Click on the itinerary tab below for all your walking options.

Extended cruise option: Cruise all the way to Totaranui (2 hrs), then return to Anchorage Beach (1 hr).

Your 10.30 am leisurely departure choice is a Water Taxi service available 20 December to 31 March.

Start

*9.20, 10.30am, 1pm

End

12.55, *4.15pm

Walking

up to 2 hrs

Cruise

Kaiteriteri – Anchorage return
1 hr 30 min

From

NZ$69 with $5 WEBSAVER

Availability

*All Year, other times 1 Oct-30 April

Trip Route Map & Information

Enjoy maximum beach time after this 45-minute cruise to Anchorage. Relax, swim or walk to Te Pukatea or Cleopatra's Pool.

Walking options from Anchorage Beach

Te Pukatea Bay – an easy 1 hour return walk (2km/1.2 miles, elevation 60m) takes you to this enchanting golden-sand cove, one of the most picturesque bays in Abel Tasman National Park. Its azure waters are ideal for a swim before you amble back to Anchorage.

Pitt Head Loop Track – 1 hr 30 min return (4km/2.5 miles, elevation 80m) from Anchorage through sunny Manuka forest to Te Pukatea Bay via Pitt Head, the site of an ancient Māori Pa (fortified village). The panoramic views of the coast and some evidence of earthworks are all that remain of this strategic site.

Cleopatra's Pool – this walk takes approx. 1 hr 30 min return (4km/2.5 miles, elevation 165m) around the Torrent Bay estuary, but don't forget to allow extra time to enjoy this crystal clear mountain stream with a natural water slide. It may be cold, but it's very refreshing!

Trip details

Check in at our Kaiteriteri ticket office 20 minutes before departure. If you have already exchanged your booking confirmation for a boarding ticket, please check in at the boat.

*9.20am, 10.30am (Water Taxi) or 1pm** Depart Kaiteriteri to cruise to Anchorage Beach (extended option stay onboard and cruise to Totaranui, then return to Anchorage)
*10.05am, 11.20am or 1.35pm** Disembark at Anchorage Beach (extended option disembark at 12.20pm)
12.20pm or 3.35pm Vista Cruise departs Anchorage Beach
12.55pm or 4.15pm Return to Kaiteriteri

* 10.30am departure available 20 December to 31 March. Boat schedules are seasonal. Please check your choices when booking.

What to bring

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.

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.

Download/print a full list of 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.

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 Max. Temps (°C/°F)	Mean Daily Min. Temps (°C/°F)	Average Rain Days (>1mm)
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.

For updates on the situation and full timetables, see the ScenicNZ website.

For maps showing ScenicNZ pick up locations click on these links:

Nelson pick up/drop off

Motueka pick up/drop off

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.

Anchorage Bay Trip

I did the Anchorage bay trip with my aunt and cousin (over from Holland) and we a great time! The boat trip was gorgeous and it was great to see split apple rock and the seals as well. We did the pit head loop walk (which was recommended by your crew) when we got to Anchorage Bay and even saw dolphins from the look out which was amazing! The crew were lovely and had a great chat to my 6 year old cousin. Thank you!

Trip Advisor

Walk

Kayak

Lodges

Boats

Things to do

Plan & Prepare

Information

Deals

Anchorage/Pitt Head #1

Trip Overview

Trip Route Map & Information

Walking options from Anchorage Beach

Trip details

What to bring

FAQ

Anchorage Bay Trip

Anchorage/Pitt Head #1

Trip Overview

Trip Route Map & Information

Walking options from Anchorage Beach

Trip details

What to bring

Recommended footwear

What to bring (day trip)

What to wear walking

Lunch options

FAQ

What will the weather be like?

Bus Connections with Nelson and Motueka

Where do I park my car?