3 Day Abel Tasman Self-Guided Walk

Please confirm start times with us before booking your connecting flights. Following is our suggested Southbound itinerary. This trip is reversed for most Wednesday departures. 

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Start your journey with a scenic drive through coastal orchards and vineyards from Nelson to Motueka and Kaiteriteri. Board our comfortable Vista Cruise to travel the length of the golden Abel Tasman coast from Kaiteriteri to Tōtaranui, relaxing on the viewing decks and enjoying refreshments from the café. From Tōtaranui, walk through mature native forest and along secluded beaches to the breathtaking Awaroa Inlet, where you’ll reach Meadowbank Homestead—a faithful recreation of the Wilson family's original home on the ‘finest site in the bay’.

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 boat transfer options with your hosts.

Approximate Times:

• Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri: 1 hour from Nelson, or 20 mins from Motueka
• Cruise Kaiteriteri to Tōtaranui: 1 hour 40 mins
• Walk Tōtaranui to Awaroa: 2.5 hours (7km/4.3 miles) including tidal crossing; max elevation 100m/340ft

Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa
Meals Included: Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner

Pick-up Times:

• Pick up in Nelson: from 8.00am (from *7.00am)
• Pick in Motueka: from 9.10am (from *8.10 am)
• If you are self-driving please meet at our office by 9am (*8.15am)

*Early times apply to Wednesday departures and all trips during the shorter daylight hours of our low season (from daylight savings start September to 31 October).

Schedule:

• 9.15am (*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.
• 9.45am (*8.50am) Coach departs for Kaiteriteri. If you have your own car, follow the coach to safe off-street parking.
• 10.30am (*9.15am) Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri.
• 12.25pm (*11.10am) Arrive Tōtaranui 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 Meadowbank’s gardens and the waters of Abel Tasman’s largest tidal estuary. Today’s walk 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 can arrange boat transfers if required.

Approximate Times:

• Walk in 3 sections of 2 hours each:
  1. Awaroa to Onetahuti and Tonga Quarry – 8km/5 miles; max elevation 85m/280ft
  2. Tonga Quarry to Bark Bay (Medlands Beach) – 5km/3 miles; max elevation 120m/400ft
  3. Bark Bay to Torrent Bay – 7km/4.4 miles; max elevation 105m/340ft

Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Morning & Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner

Recommended Itinerary:

• 9:30 am: Depart Awaroa for the scenic walk to Onetahuti, featuring a beautiful boardwalk and bridge designed by local iwi (Maori tribe). Stroll along the golden sands and rest awhile.
• 11:30 am: Explore the site of Tonga Quarry with its unusual granite features and historic relics. Descend to Bark Bay via the Waterfall Trail.
• 1:30–2:30 pm: Lunch at Bark Bay. Relax in the shade, explore the bay, or swim. After lunch, walk through beech forest and manuka groves. Cross the swing bridge at Falls River and continue to Torrent Bay.
• 4:30 pm (approx.): Arrive at Torrent Bay Lodge. Your ensuite room and evening meal await.

Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and perhaps enjoy a coffee on the deck before breakfast. Today’s walk follows the easiest section of the coastal track from Torrent Bay to Mārahau, with panoramic views across Tasman Bay to Nelson.

Approximate Times:

• Walk: 4-5 hours (depending on tides) – 13-16km/8-10 miles; max elevation 110m/360ft
• Scenic drive from Kaiteriteri: 20 mins to Motueka or 1 hour to Nelson

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Recommended Itinerary:

• 9:00 am: Depart Torrent Bay Lodge. Depending on tides, either walk around the inlet overlooking Anchorage Beach or take the shortcut across the inlet.
• 12:00 noon: Lunch at a sheltered beach with views over the Astrolabe Roadstead to Adele Island.
• 2:30–3:00 pm: Finish your walk at Mārahau. Our driver meets you for the return journey to Motueka via Kaiteriteri to collect your luggage.
• 4:00 pm: Arrive Motueka
• 5:30–6:00 pm: Arrive Nelson

Start/Finish Times: Please confirm times with us before booking your connecting flights. The direction of this trip may be reversed on some departures with earlier pick-up in Nelson (7:15–7:40 am) and Motueka (8:15 am) for Vista Cruise departure from Kaiteriteri at 9:20 am. Earlier pick-up times apply to most Wednesday departures and all departures after NZ Daylight Saving ends at the beginning of April. If the start/finish times don't suit your itinerary, please contact us for alternative arrangements. All our itineraries can be flexible to accommodate your needs or schedule.

Other Important Information:

• 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.