Overview
Experience two of New Zealand’s most breathtaking coastal walks on this 11-day Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman walking tour. Begin your journey in the beautiful town of Picton, and cruise across the stunning Marlborough Sounds to the start of the Queen Charotte Track. The QCT offers diverse landscapes, lush native bush, and panoramic sea views. Hike from Ship Cove to Anakiwa, staying in comfortable lodges along the way. With opportunities to spot native birdlife, learn about the region’s history, and take in sweeping views from ridgeline trails, this walk is a perfect mix of challenge and reward.
Continue your adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park, home to golden sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush coastal forests. The Abel Tasman Track takes you from Marahau to Totaranui, passing through Anchorage, Awaroa, and Wainui, with stays in boutique lodges and a mix of hiking and water taxi transfers. Along the way, enjoy optional activities such as swimming, exploring tidal crossings, and spotting marine wildlife. With seamless transport arrangements, quality accommodation, and spectacular scenery, this walking holiday showcases the very best of New Zealand’s coastal trails.
Details
Start: Picton
Finish: Nelson
Includes:
- 2 nights in comfortable motel accommodation in Picton (pre- and post-Queen Charlotte Track).
- 3 nights upgraded lodge accommodation on the Queen Charlotte Track.
- 2 nights in comfortable motel accommodation in Nelson (pre- and post-Abel Tasman Track).
- 3 nights camp/lodge accommodation on the Abel Tasman Track.
- Pre-trip briefing for each walk.
- Route descriptions and maps for both tracks.
Transport
- Return transport between Picton and the Queen Charlotte Track.
- Return transport between Nelson and the Abel Tasman Track.
- Bus transfer from Picton to Nelson.
- Daily luggage transfers on each track (you only carry your daypack).
Meals
- Breakfast for 3 mornings on the Abel Tasman Track.
- Packed lunches for 4 days on both the Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman Tracks.
Not Included:
- Dinner and breakfast while in Picton, Nelson, or on the Queen Charlotte Track.
- Dinner while on the Abel Tasman Track.
Pricing:
Cost per person
October 2024-April 2025
- from NZ$4195
Pricing is based on a minimum of two persons.
Currency ConverterOverview
Experience two of New Zealand’s most breathtaking coastal walks on this 11-day Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman walking tour. Begin your journey in the beautiful town of Picton, and cruise across the stunning Marlborough Sounds to the start of the Queen Charotte Track. The QCT offers diverse landscapes, lush native bush, and panoramic sea views. Hike from Ship Cove to Anakiwa, staying in comfortable lodges along the way. With opportunities to spot native birdlife, learn about the region’s history, and take in sweeping views from ridgeline trails, this walk is a perfect mix of challenge and reward.
Continue your adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park, home to golden sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush coastal forests. The Abel Tasman Track takes you from Marahau to Totaranui, passing through Anchorage, Awaroa, and Wainui, with stays in boutique lodges and a mix of hiking and water taxi transfers. Along the way, enjoy optional activities such as swimming, exploring tidal crossings, and spotting marine wildlife. With seamless transport arrangements, quality accommodation, and spectacular scenery, this walking holiday showcases the very best of New Zealand’s coastal trails.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Bay of Many Coves, Queen Charlotte Track
Queen Charlotte Track
Totoranui Beach, Abel Tasman
Awaroa Bay, Abel Tasman
Itinerary
Open AllThe Queen Charlotte Track is New Zealand’s most diverse coastal walk set in the geologically unique Marlborough Sounds. Stretching from historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa, this undulating trail features remnants of virgin native bush with a sea view around almost every corner.
You will be collected this morning at 8.30am from your Picton accommodation to begin your Queen Charlotte Track. This morning you will receive an information pack including a map/track guide and vouchers for your walk.
Your water taxi departs at 9am this morning. Walk from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge. This scenic & historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s. Experience virgin beech forest at its best plus stunning views of the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Inclusions: Accommodation and Packed Lunch
Today’s mainly coastal walk takes you around the inlet through regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other NZ native birds. Pause at the head of the bay to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay before working your way towards Camp Bay and Punga Cove.
Inclusions: Accommodation and Packed Lunch
It’s a challenging day walking on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle near Portage. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner a wonderful reward indeed. Those who feel like a day's rest can opt for a boat ride around the bays of the Queen Charlotte Sound to Portage Bay (at own cost).
Inclusions: Accommodation and Packed Lunch
On your arrival into Nelson, make your way to your pre-booked centrally located Motel accommodation.
The track package included within this itinerary would be as follows:
Abel Tasman 4 day ‘All The Way’ Freedom trip
- Transport from Nelson to Marahau & return to Nelson
- A full trip briefing on arrival in Marahau
- 3 nights’ accommodations (night 1 - comfort camping in Anchorage (seasonal) or B+B in Marahau), wonderful hotel at Awaroa Lodge, Awaroa and Luxury room Ratanui Lodge, Pohara Beach)
- All Luggage transfers – you carry just a daypack with your lunch etc.
- 4 packed lunches
- Dinner & breakfast whilst comfort camping or breakfast only in Marahau B+B
- Return water taxi transfers between Anchorage an Marahau are included if you chose the Marahau B+B option
- Breakfast each morning x 3 mornings
- Land shuttle from Totaranui to Ratanui Lodge & Ratanui Lodge to Wainui Carpark
- Water taxi transport from Totaranui to Marahau
- Your personalised itinerary, maps and other information
An information bundle will be left at this accommodation for your Abel Tasman walk. Please visit reception to collect this.
Inclusions: Accommodation, dinner if comfort camping (breakfast only if staying in the Marahau B+B), breakfast and Packed Lunch
Begin walking along the wonderful beach at Anchorage, pass civilised Torrent Bay before heading up and over and to the iconic Falls River swing bridge and further to Bark Bay. From this lovely bay the track heads up the largest ascent on the whole trip ending up at back at sea level at Tonga Quarry and Onetahuti Bays. A lovely walk along crescent shaped Onetahuti Beach follows and then the last saddle sees you over to the wonderful Awaroa Lodge. This is the biggest day. Tonight you will stay at Awaroa Lodge where you have a wonderful rooms reserved for you.
Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast and Packed Lunch
Check out of your Nelson Motel accommodation this morning and depart Nelson (own arrangements following this).
We can of course arrange any further travel plans or additional walks following this – please just ask!
Cost per person
October 2024-April 2025
- from NZ$4195
Pricing is based on a minimum of two persons.
Itinerary
Open AllThe Queen Charlotte Track is New Zealand’s most diverse coastal walk set in the geologically unique Marlborough Sounds. Stretching from historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa, this undulating trail features remnants of virgin native bush with a sea view around almost every corner.
You will be collected this morning at 8.30am from your Picton accommodation to begin your Queen Charlotte Track. This morning you will receive an information pack including a map/track guide and vouchers for your walk.
Your water taxi departs at 9am this morning. Walk from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge. This scenic & historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s. Experience virgin beech forest at its best plus stunning views of the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Inclusions: Accommodation and Packed Lunch
Today’s mainly coastal walk takes you around the inlet through regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other NZ native birds. Pause at the head of the bay to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay before working your way towards Camp Bay and Punga Cove.
Inclusions: Accommodation and Packed Lunch
It’s a challenging day walking on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle near Portage. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner a wonderful reward indeed. Those who feel like a day's rest can opt for a boat ride around the bays of the Queen Charlotte Sound to Portage Bay (at own cost).
Inclusions: Accommodation and Packed Lunch
On your arrival into Nelson, make your way to your pre-booked centrally located Motel accommodation.
The track package included within this itinerary would be as follows:
Abel Tasman 4 day ‘All The Way’ Freedom trip
- Transport from Nelson to Marahau & return to Nelson
- A full trip briefing on arrival in Marahau
- 3 nights’ accommodations (night 1 - comfort camping in Anchorage (seasonal) or B+B in Marahau), wonderful hotel at Awaroa Lodge, Awaroa and Luxury room Ratanui Lodge, Pohara Beach)
- All Luggage transfers – you carry just a daypack with your lunch etc.
- 4 packed lunches
- Dinner & breakfast whilst comfort camping or breakfast only in Marahau B+B
- Return water taxi transfers between Anchorage an Marahau are included if you chose the Marahau B+B option
- Breakfast each morning x 3 mornings
- Land shuttle from Totaranui to Ratanui Lodge & Ratanui Lodge to Wainui Carpark
- Water taxi transport from Totaranui to Marahau
- Your personalised itinerary, maps and other information
An information bundle will be left at this accommodation for your Abel Tasman walk. Please visit reception to collect this.
Inclusions: Accommodation, dinner if comfort camping (breakfast only if staying in the Marahau B+B), breakfast and Packed Lunch
Begin walking along the wonderful beach at Anchorage, pass civilised Torrent Bay before heading up and over and to the iconic Falls River swing bridge and further to Bark Bay. From this lovely bay the track heads up the largest ascent on the whole trip ending up at back at sea level at Tonga Quarry and Onetahuti Bays. A lovely walk along crescent shaped Onetahuti Beach follows and then the last saddle sees you over to the wonderful Awaroa Lodge. This is the biggest day. Tonight you will stay at Awaroa Lodge where you have a wonderful rooms reserved for you.
Inclusions: Accommodation, breakfast and Packed Lunch
Check out of your Nelson Motel accommodation this morning and depart Nelson (own arrangements following this).
We can of course arrange any further travel plans or additional walks following this – please just ask!
