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Indulge with a touch of luxury at our beachfront lodges, walking from TÅtaranui to
MÄrahau.
Following is our Southbound itinerary. This trip is reversed for most Wednesday departures. Please go to Northbound Departure for details.
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.
Note: there is no high tide track around the Awaroa Inlet. If you will not reach the Inlet within 2 hours of low tide, discuss the options for boat transfers with 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 Wednesday departures and all 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 (*8.20am)
11.30 (*8.15)am Meet at our Motueka office to pick up track notes, discuss tidal conditions, check your trip details, and leave excess luggage and valuables in safe storage.
12.15pm (*8.50am) Coach departs for Kaiteriteri. If you have your own car, follow the coach to safe off-street parking.
1pm (*9.20am) Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri.
2.40pm (*11.20am) Arrive TÅtaranui and walk 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.
Wake to breakfast overlooking Meadowbankâs gardens and the waters of Abel Tasmanâs largest tidal estuary. Your walk today follows the coastal track through cool native forest and reaches golden sand beaches, perfect for swimming. Choose how much walking you want to do; your host will arrange boat transfers if required.
Approximate times
Walk in 3 sections of 2 hours each
1. Awaroa to Onetahuti and Tonga Quarry â8km/5 miles; maximum elevation 85m/280ft
2. Tonga Quarry to Bark Bay (Medlands Beach) â 5km/3 miles; maximum elevation 120m/400ft
3. 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
Recommended itinerary
9.30am Depart Awaroa for the scenic walk to Onetahuti, which features a beautiful boardwalk and bridge designed by local iwi (Maori tribe). Stroll along the golden sands and rest a while.
11.30am Before climbing the low saddle out of Onetahuti, explore the site of Tonga Quarry with its unusual granite features and historic relics. Descend to Bark Bay via the Waterfall Trail featuring views of the cascade from a sturdy swing bridge.
1.30â2.30pm Stop for lunch at Bark Bay where thereâs a shelter, picnic tables, and modern toilets. Relax in the shade, explore the bay or refresh with a swim. After lunch, youâll 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.
Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay 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.
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 & lunch
Recommended Itinerary
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.
12 noon Stop for lunch at a sheltered beach 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 you collect your overnight luggage from the boat.
4pm Arrive Motueka
5.30â6pm Arrive Nelson.
Start/Finish times
Other important information
Walking poles are recommended for stability on uphill and downhill sections.They assist with balance, and relieve pressure on knee and ankle joints.
Damage caused by recent storms is still under repair, so some short sections are not up to Great Walk standard.
Footwear
Clothing
Quick-dry and thermal fibres are recommended for walking and kayaking. Avoid cotton as it takes a long time to dry. Layers are the key to comfort:
Other essentials
Overnight gear
Please do not bring valuable items or travel documents. There is safe storage at our Motueka office.
The Project Janszoon App is a useful app for more background information and places of interest in the park. It's free! Go to the Project Janszoon website.
Down load your packing list (PDF file)
WE RECOMMEND FOR WALKING:
Comfortable walking shoes or sports sandals. Heavy hiking boots are not necessary on the well-formed coastal track. You can wear them if you prefer.
WE RECOMMEND FOR TIDAL CROSSINGS
Light shoes with fixed heel for walking on shells, rock and sand for short distances. They will get wet. There is time to change into walking shoes after tidal crossing.
NOT RECOMMENDED
Slides, jandals, flip-flops etc.
As well as a wonderful holiday experience with skilled, friendly hosts, chefs and boat crew, your trip includes:
Download the Wilsons Abel Tasman App, then download track notes relevant for your trip.
Note, there is no free Wifi at Kaiteriteri and limited access in the national park, so download track notes before you leave for your trip.
Printed track notes are available at our office for self-guided multiday trips.
On all overnight trips with us, you are treated with ensuite, share-twin accommodation at our beachfront lodges.
All kayaking trip are guided to ensure your comfort and safety.
Our guided walking trips include the security, knowledge and experience of our professional guides who help you design each day to suit your desired pace of walking, timed around tides and weather conditions. Add fun and comfort to your trip with hot drinks brewed for you on the track. Share a depth of local knowledge to discover a landscape full of stories. Your guide's first aid skills and radio contact provide extra security, and the flexibility to call for boat back-up when required. Choose a walking or kayak & walk combination.
Self guided trips are for you if you are looking for maximum flexibility, and are confident using GPS location devices to make your own decisions. Linger on the golden beaches or test your fitness with extra mileage. Boat back-up is available to change the amount of walking each day to suit, if you arrange this before you leave the lodge each morning.
Discover more about the difference between guided and self-guided walking here: A pick'n'mix Abel Tasman National Park getaway
Let us know where you're staying the night before your trip with us so. We pick up from the main accommodation providers in Nelson city, and along Highway 60 between Nelson and Motueka.
Nelson has many wonderful B&Bs and private homes located in the hills around Nelson. It is not possible to access all of these properties and provide a timely service that suits all guests' travel itineraries. Please note pick up for Mapua is on Highway 60 at the junction with Mapua Drive.
For most departures we pick up at Nelson Airport if you arrive before 10 am. The exception is trips with early departure: most Wednesdays and all trips outside of daylight savings time (end of September to start of April).
Go to Multiday Coach Pickup for a Google Map showing pick up and drop off points around Nelson.
On the last day of your trip, our driver returns you to accessible locations in Motueka and Nelson, including Nelson Airport for flights departing after 6.30 pm.
Disconnect for a real wilderness experience, but if you are unable to travel technology-free, WiFi and cellphone coverage is limited. There is free WiFi at our lodges.
Cellphone coverage can be found on headlands or high points in line-of-sight to transmission points. Coverage varies depending on your service provider. Check coverage maps for One NZ (was Vodafone) and/or Spark.
Project Janzoon charitable environmental trust maintains WiFi hotspots through the park, located at:
Use of their WiFi network requires a NZ$5 donation to the trust, payable by credit card.
Before going into the park, we recommend downloading the Project Janszoon App, with fascinating stories about the environment and history of Abel Tasman National Park.
Abel Tasman National Park is a great place to visit any time. We have the highest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand, year round and rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Most NZ trees are evergreen, so our native forest is colourful in all seasons and temperatures are mild year-round.
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 |
Our busiest time is January/February but outside of these times the park is just as spectacular. During our cooler months (April - September), days are often sunny and calm. This is the best time for photography and viewing the wildlife.
Our beachfront lodges have cosy fires in the living areas, and are centrally heated, so you can relax in comfort, year-round.
We give you a complimentary lodge luggage bag for overnight gear to be transported to our lodges by boat. Bring your own day pack if you like, or borrow one of our specially designed 30 litre day packs, available at our office.
We have secure storage at our office for excess baggage. If you are staying at the same accommodation when you return from your trip, you may find it more convenient to store luggage there.
Click here for details and dimensions of your complimentary lodge luggage bag.
Packing for your trip
The start of your trip is more enjoyable if you pack as much as possible before your pick up.
Let us know where you are staying the night before your trip with us. We can deliver your lodge luggage bag to main accommodation providers in Nelson city and Motueka.
If delivery is not possible, or you are flying into Nelson on the day your trip starts, your lodge luggage bag will be available at our office. To arrange your luggage with ease and speed at the office please separate into two bags:
For more details, download our Pre-Trip Welcome Information (PDF file) or go to our What to Bring Pages:
Guided Multiday Trip What to Bring.
Self-Guided Multiday Trip What to Bring.
Abel Tasman National Park is spectacular from any direction.
Most of our trips travel southbound. To give you more choice of departure days, with our exclusive lodges hosting small groups, most Wednesday departures (and occasionally other departures) travel northbound.
The only difference you will notice is that northbound trips depart a little earlier on the first day (7.30 am from Nelson) so that kayakers reach sheltered waters before the afternoon sea breeze picks up.
We welcome solo travellers. No extra charge if you can share a room with a person of the same gender.
To guarantee a single room we charge and additional 50% on standard rate during high season.
During shoulder seasons (1-31 October, 20-31 January or 1-30 April) the single supplement is standard rate plus 30%.
If you self-drive to our Motueka office on the morning of departure, please meet at the time indicated on your itinerary and we will direct you to parking for the duration of your time in the national park.
Parking is off-street but not secured. Please do not leave valuables in your car. There is lock-up storage at our Motueka Office.
We provide coach transfers from most accommodation places in Nelson and Motueka.
