Abel Tasman National Park New Zealand Awaroa Beach

Cruise from Kaiteriteri through Tonga Island Marine Reserve to reach Awaroa, a fascinating inlet that has inspired generations of settlement and protection.

At Awaroa you have 3 options for lunch

Cafe style lunch at the Awaroa Lodge. This property is not operated by us, and is closed during the low season. Bookings are essential.
Order a scrumptious picnic lunch from us the day before you travel
Take your own picnic to enjoy on the beach

Awaroa Beach is exposed to prevailing winds. When the Awaroa Lodge is closed, Anchorage or Bark Bay are recommended for picnic lunch stops.

For a more active day, book the Pioneer Trail (2 hour walk) or Pioneer Trail Plus (4 hour walk available 20 December - 10 January).

If you are staying in Golden Bay or Totaranui, go to Totaranui Dine & Stride for Awaroa options.

Trip Route Map & Information

Return cruise to Awaroa Beach to explore this historic inlet. Bring you own lunch or order a picnic.

Trip details

9.20am Depart Kaiteriteri and cruise along the Abel Tasman Coast, calling into popular beaches along the way, and pausing to view Tonga Island Seal Colony.
11.05am Arrive at Awaroa.
2.20pm Vista cruise departs Awaroa for Totaranui.
2.40 pm At Totaranui, the Vista Cruise begins the cruise south to Kaiteriteri 4.15pm Return to Kaiteriteri

Lunch choices

Awaroa Lodge, restaurant and pizzeria (additional cost). This is not one of our lodges. Please check availability with them. Telephone (03) 528-8758
order a scrumptious picnic lunch from us the day before you travel
take your own picnic to enjoy on the beach

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.

Walking poles are recommended for stability on uphill and downhill section.

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.
Walking poles are recommended for stability on uphill and downhill sections. Damage caused by recent storms is still under repair, so some short sections are not up to Great Walk standard.

Download/print a full list of what to bring

Picnic Lunches

For a delicious picnic lunch prepared for you and delivered to the boat, or to your kayak guide, please give us your order by 5 pm the night before your trip. Standard, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free/Vegan options available.

Classic picnic lunch (NZ$27 per person)

Fresh Baked Baquette Roll
Salad Bowl - with sliced smoked or roast chicken & swiss cheese (marinated Tempeh slices for vegan/vegetarian options)
Blueberry Muffin (Blueberry Chocolate Brownie for GF option)
Vegan Chocolate Bar
Cashew Nuts
Crisp Apple
Aioli & Dairy-Free Spread Portions
Wooden Cutlery Set, Napkin and Carry Bag

Onboard Menu

The Vista Cruise has a selection of hot and cold drinks (including beer and wine), ice creams, snacks and light meals. Click through to the Vista Cruise Menu.

Other Lunch Options

You are welcome to bring your own lunch. Takeaway food is available at the Kaiteriteri departure point. Please allow extra time to choose your lunch. The shop can be busy when boats are departing.

There is one public restaurant/cafe in the park at Awaroa Lodge, open during the summer months. Please book directly with them by phoning 03 528 8758.

Classic Kiwi Barbecue

Click here for details of barbecue lunches available in the park.

Walking poles are recommended for stability on uphill and downhill sections.They assist with balance, and relieve pressure on knee and ankle joints.

Damage cause by recent storms is still under repair, so some short sections are not up to Great Walk standard.

FAQ

For day trips, the Better Bus provides Nelson-Kaiteriteri-Marahau bus connections. Schedules meet our 9.20 am Vista Cruise departure from Kaiteriteri and the 4.15 pm return to Kaiteriteri. Contact us to book the service to suit your itinerary.

Go to Bus Connections for more details and costs.

Lodge-based overnight trips include transfers on our own coach. We pick up from main accommodation providers in Nelson city, and along Highway 60 between Nelson and Motueka.

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

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.

Boat Tour with lunch at Awaroa

We chose to get off at Awaroa and walk 250m to the Lodge, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch in their restaurant. We then had a leisurely walk around the grounds and back along the beach to be picked up, about 2 1/2 hours later. We then enjoyed calling into each bay to pick up the walkers and kayakers who had got off earlier. A fabulous trip and good value for money.

Walk

Kayak

Lodges

Boats

Things to do

Plan & Prepare

Information

Deals

Awaroa Dine & Explore #8

Trip Route Map & Information

Trip details

Lunch choices

What to bring

Picnic Lunches

Onboard Menu

Other Lunch Options

Classic Kiwi Barbecue

FAQ

Boat Tour with lunch at Awaroa

Awaroa Dine & Explore #8

Trip Route Map & Information

Trip details

Lunch choices

What to bring

What to wear walking

What to bring (day trip)

Lunch options

Picnic Lunches

Onboard Menu

Other Lunch Options

Do I need walking poles?

FAQ

Bus Connections with Nelson and Motueka

What will the weather be like?

Where do I park my car?