Overview
Featuring two of New Zealand’s stunning coastal tracks. Known for their breathtaking and varied scenery, our 11 Day Top of the South Independent Walks itinerary will take you to the Abel Tasman Coastal Track and Queen Charlotte Track. All our itineraries are supplied as a base that we can customise with any combination of accommodation preferences or trip variations to suit your taste.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Home to golden sand beaches, clear waters, and lush native coastal bush and rainforests, the Abel Tasman Coastal Track is blessed with great mild climate all throughout the year.
Queen Charlotte Track
The Queen Charlotte Track stretches 70 km featuring largely untouched forests, gorgeous shores, coves, and magnificent views of Queen Charlotte Sound.
Details
Start: Wellington
Finish: Nelson
Includes:
- 2 nights motel accommodation in Picton
- 2 nights motel accommodation in Nelson
- 3 nights upgrade lodge accommodation on the Queen Charlotte Track
- 3 nights B+B/lodge accommodation on the Abel Tasman Track
- Ferry from Wellington to Picton
- Bus from Picton to Nelson
- Packed lunches x 4 on the Queen Charlotte Track
- Packed lunches x 4 on the Abel Tasman Track
- Breakfast x 3 days on the Abel Tasman Track
- Dinner and breakfast whilst in Picton
- Dinner and breakfast whilst in Nelson
- Dinner and breakfast whilst on the Queen Charlotte Track
- Dinner whilst 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
Featuring two of New Zealand’s stunning coastal tracks. Known for their breathtaking and varied scenery, our 11 Day Top of the South Independent Walks itinerary will take you to the Abel Tasman Coastal Track and Queen Charlotte Track. All our itineraries are supplied as a base that we can customise with any combination of accommodation preferences or trip variations to suit your taste.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Home to golden sand beaches, clear waters, and lush native coastal bush and rainforests, the Abel Tasman Coastal Track is blessed with great mild climate all throughout the year.
Queen Charlotte Track
The Queen Charlotte Track stretches 70 km featuring largely untouched forests, gorgeous shores, coves, and magnificent views of Queen Charlotte Sound.
Abel Tasman Coastal Track
Bay of Many Coves, Queen Charlotte Track
Queen Charlotte Track
Totoranui Beach, Abel Tasman
Awaroa Bay, Abel Tasman
Itinerary
Open AllCheck into your accommodation in Picton. Here you can expect quality service and warm hospitality in a convenient location.
At 5pm attend your pre-trip briefing for the Queen Charlotte Track. You will receive an information pack including a map/track guide and vouchers for your walk.
Queen Charlotte Track Four Day Independent Upgrade Package
- 3 nights superior, seaview twin/double share accommodation with own private ensuite (Suite at Furneaux Lodge, Frond/Fern at Punga Cove and Tui Terrace at Portage Resort)
- Water transport to and from track
- Luggage transfers
- Packed lunch included each day (breakfast and dinner can be purchased at the lodges)
- Queen Charlotte Track Land Pass
- Picton accommodation transfers to and from water taxi
- Information pack incl. track guide
The 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 experience. 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 AllCheck into your accommodation in Picton. Here you can expect quality service and warm hospitality in a convenient location.
At 5pm attend your pre-trip briefing for the Queen Charlotte Track. You will receive an information pack including a map/track guide and vouchers for your walk.
Queen Charlotte Track Four Day Independent Upgrade Package
- 3 nights superior, seaview twin/double share accommodation with own private ensuite (Suite at Furneaux Lodge, Frond/Fern at Punga Cove and Tui Terrace at Portage Resort)
- Water transport to and from track
- Luggage transfers
- Packed lunch included each day (breakfast and dinner can be purchased at the lodges)
- Queen Charlotte Track Land Pass
- Picton accommodation transfers to and from water taxi
- Information pack incl. track guide
The 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 experience. 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!
