Overview

Two days sea kayaking the protected southern coastline and one day walking the lush northern Abel Tasman Coast Track, part of the Great Walks of New Zealand, with an extra day at each of our Beachfront Lodges to relax or explore parts of the Park most visitors don't get to see. Includes a scenic cruise along the length of the Abel Tasman coast.

Kayaking or walking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of our scheduled ferry services. Please discuss this option with your guide prior to each days departure.

Tour Grading: B

Walking and kayaking are physical activities, but paddling requires very little skill or strength (see next question) and the Abel Tasman Coast track is very well formed with long flat sections and a few easy grade uphill and downhill sections (the highest point of the track is under 200 metres).
You are welcome to travel on one of our boats to shorten your day's paddling or walking.
Our five-day itineraries include an extra day at our two beachfront lodges where you can relax and do nothing or allow your guide to plan further exploration of the National Park at a level of activity to suit you.

Details

Difficulty: 2

Departure Dates

We operate this trip year round, departing every Tuesday.

Trip departures May to October require a minimum of 4 people.
If you wish to book with less than 4 people during these months, contact us for a confirmed departure date.

Start: Nelson (10.15am) / Motueka (11.15am)

Finish: Nelson or Motueka

Includes:

Skilled, friendly guides, chefs and boat crew
All bedding
Lodge luggage bag, transfer and storage of luggage
Use of day pack
Launch Cruise and any extra Launch / Water Taxi transport on scheduled services
Track notes and maps
Scheduled bus transfers from & to Motueka or Nelson
All technical and safety equipment for kayak trips

Meals Included

Fine food at our lodges and picnic lunches during the day
Fresh fruit, snacks and hot drinks available throughout the day
Daily Meals include: Breakfast, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Included

Share twin/double with ensuite accommodation

Pricing:

Cost per person (twin-share)

Sep - Oct 2024

Adult: NZ$2,800
Child: NZ$2,050
Single: NZ$3,640

Nov 2024 - Mar 2025

Adult: NZ$2,900
Child: NZ$2,150
Single: NZ$4,350

April 2025

Adult: NZ$2,800
Child: NZ$2,050
Single: NZ$3,640

- Child: 12-14 years
- Children under 12 years: If an exclusive Kayak guide is hired for your child/family we can relax the age limit down to 10 years and the trip can then be modified to suit your abilities and interests. Please contact us to arrange this.

- Prices are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without prior notice.

Payment

Deposit of NZ$300 per person on booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure

Cancellation Fees

90+ days prior to departure - refund less $300 deposit per person, or change travel date for no additional cost but seasonal rate increases will apply.
89-60 days prior to departure - 50% refund
59-0 days prior to departure - no refund.
After tour commencement - no refund available.

Currency Converter

Overview

Kayaking or walking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of our scheduled ferry services. Please discuss this option with your guide prior to each days departure.

Tour Grading: B

Walking and kayaking are physical activities, but paddling requires very little skill or strength (see next question) and the Abel Tasman Coast track is very well formed with long flat sections and a few easy grade uphill and downhill sections (the highest point of the track is under 200 metres).
You are welcome to travel on one of our boats to shorten your day's paddling or walking.
Our five-day itineraries include an extra day at our two beachfront lodges where you can relax and do nothing or allow your guide to plan further exploration of the National Park at a level of activity to suit you.

View of Totaranui

Awaroa Inlet

Awaroa Bay

Meadowbank Lodge

Single Room in Meadowbank Lodge

Dinner at Meadowbank Lodge

Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park

Kayakers having a picnic in Abel Tasman National Park

Picnic Lunch

Torrent Bay Lodge

Double Room at Torrent Bay Lodge

Swing Bridge at Falls River

Balloon Rock in Torrent Bay

Kayaking in Tonga Island Marine Reserve

Kayaking in Bark Bay Inlet

Bark Bay Falls

Onetahuti Beach

Cleopatras Pool

Astrolobe Roadstead

Itinerary

Open All

Day 1Nelson/Motueka to Awaora via Totaranui

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 Totaranui, relaxing on the viewing decks and enjoying refreshments from the cafe.

From Totaranui, walk through mature native forest and along secluded beaches to the breathtaking expanse of 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’.

Approximate times

Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri – 1 hour from Nelson, or 20 mins from Motueka
Cruise Kaiteriteri to Totaranui – 1 hour 40 mins
Walk Totaranui to Awaroa – 2.5 hours (7km/4.5 miles) including tidal crossing; maximum elevation 100m/340ft
Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa
Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

Trip details
*Early times apply 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 *8.15am)

Day 2Explore Awaroa

Relax over breakfast overlooking Meadowbank’s gardens and the beautiful waters of Abel Tasman’s largest tidal estuary. Your guide will help you create your perfect day whether you want to be active in Awaroa’s beautiful surrounds or just savour the comfort and tranquillity of Meadowbank.

Optional activities
– explore Awaroa estuary on foot (up to 4 hours) or kayak (up to 2 hours; tides permitting)
– visit early European and pre-European historical sites
– unwind on the beach
– relax and enjoy the comforts of Meadowbank Homestead

Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa

Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner

Day 3Awaroa to Torrent Bay

Wake to breakfast overlooking Meadowbank’s gardens and the waters of Abel Tasman’s largest tidal estuary. Walk over a forested saddle to Onetahuti where your guide will settle you into your stable, double kayak with full instructions and safety briefing. You’ll then kayak through Tonga Island Marine Reserve and explore hidden inlets on the way to Torrent Bay.

Approximate times

Walk from Awaroa to Onetahuti – 1.5 hours (5km/3 miles); max. elevation 85m/280ft
Sea kayak from Onetahuti to Torrent Bay – 4 hours (10km/6 miles)
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner

Day 4Explore Torrent Bay

Your guide will happily help you choose what to do today, whether you want to head off on adventures or just relax at the beachfront lodge.

Optional activities
– walk through breathtaking virgin forest up to the waterfalls on Falls River
– kayak or walk around the estuary and visit the peaceful grotto of Cleopatra's Pool
– walk to the golden expanse of Anchorage beach and picturesque Te Pukatea cove visiting historic Maori sites at Pitt Head along the way
– unwind on glorious Torrent Bay beach
– relax and enjoy the comforts of the lodge

Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge

Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner

Day 5Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri

Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and a hearty breakfast to set you up for paddling to Te Pukatea Bay and past the islands of the Astrolabe Roadstead to Kaiteriteri.

Approximate times

Sea kayak from Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri – 4.5 hours (12km)
Scenic drive from Kaiteriteri – 20 mins to Motueka or 1 hour to Nelson
Meals included: breakfast, morning tea, lunch

Cost per person (twin-share)

Sep - Oct 2024

Adult: NZ$2,800
Child: NZ$2,050
Single: NZ$3,640

Nov 2024 - Mar 2025

Adult: NZ$2,900
Child: NZ$2,150
Single: NZ$4,350

April 2025

Adult: NZ$2,800
Child: NZ$2,050
Single: NZ$3,640

- Prices are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without prior notice.

Payment

Deposit of NZ$300 per person on booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure

Cancellation Fees

90+ days prior to departure - refund less $300 deposit per person, or change travel date for no additional cost but seasonal rate increases will apply.
89-60 days prior to departure - 50% refund
59-0 days prior to departure - no refund.
After tour commencement - no refund available.

Enquire Now!

Itinerary

Open All

Day 1Nelson/Motueka to Awaora via Totaranui

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 Totaranui, relaxing on the viewing decks and enjoying refreshments from the cafe.

Approximate times

Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri – 1 hour from Nelson, or 20 mins from Motueka
Cruise Kaiteriteri to Totaranui – 1 hour 40 mins
Walk Totaranui to Awaroa – 2.5 hours (7km/4.5 miles) including tidal crossing; maximum elevation 100m/340ft
Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa
Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

Trip details
*Early times apply 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 *8.15am)

Day 2Explore Awaroa

Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa

Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner

Day 3Awaroa to Torrent Bay

Approximate times

Walk from Awaroa to Onetahuti – 1.5 hours (5km/3 miles); max. elevation 85m/280ft
Sea kayak from Onetahuti to Torrent Bay – 4 hours (10km/6 miles)
Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge
Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner

Day 4Explore Torrent Bay

Your guide will happily help you choose what to do today, whether you want to head off on adventures or just relax at the beachfront lodge.

Day 5Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri

Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and a hearty breakfast to set you up for paddling to Te Pukatea Bay and past the islands of the Astrolabe Roadstead to Kaiteriteri.

Approximate times