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Map of Walk Abel Tasman National Park including New Zealand

Let the tide be your guide as you trek secluded coves on Tasman Bay

Follow the iconic Coast Track of Abel Tasman National Park on this 5-day walking tour through New Zealand’s unspoiled wilderness. Explore pristine bays with golden-sand beaches and native forests of kanuka and manuka trees as you head from the rural village of Marahau to the remote paradise of Awaroa. This South Island coastal hiking adventure includes a bit of luxe and a lot of local expertise, with nights in cosy cabins, daily transportation to the trek via water taxis, and an in-the-know leader to help you navigate the trails and the tides.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Nelson, New Zealand
Finish
Nelson, New Zealand
Destination
New Zealand
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
PHXT
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Spend three full days exploring the picturesque Abel Tasman National Park, discovering golden-sand beaches and secluded bays only accessible by boat or on foot.

  • Experience Abel Tasman’s most classic hike without lugging all your stuff, thanks to daily water taxis from your accommodations to the trail start points.

  • Kick up your weary walking feet at the end of each day with stays in cosy cabins and lodges right inside the park grounds.

  • Cross the challenging Awaroa Inlet and navigate the fast-changing tide under the expert guidance of a local leader.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility. Good footwear, clothing for all types of weather, plus perhaps walking poles are recommended. Details on physical activities can be found in the itinerary.

  • Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding domestic travel prior to booking this trip.

Travellers hiking along beach on Abel Tasman Coastal track, South Island, NZ
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PHXH - Pax Walking Through Abel Tasman National Park
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Hiker admiring the view on the Abel Tasman Coastal track, South Island, NZ

Itinerary
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Welcome to Nelson! Tucked on the shores of Tasman Bay, Nelson is your jumping off point for your walking adventure through Abel Tasman National Park. Meet your group and local leader at your 6pm Welcome Meeting. If you plan to arrive in the city earlier, you can explore a bit of Nelson on a scenic city walk and a stop at a local winery or brewery. The evening, after Welcome Meeting, is free to see more of the city, join your fellow travellers for a dinner, or to rest up in your quaint inn accommodations for the hiking days to come.
Accommodation
  • Hostel (with private facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Today you’ll get your first taste of the most classic hike of Abel Tasman, the Coast Track. Grab breakfast at your accommodation or head out to a nearby cafe before meeting your group for your private transfer (approximately 1 hour) to the rural village of Marahau and entrance to Abel Tasman National Park. Hop aboard a water taxi that will sail you past the unusual Split Apple Rock – a unique geological formation that, according to Maori legend, was split in half by two feuding gods. See if you can spot the colony of fur seals as you cruise past Adele Island. You’ll disembark at Anchorage, where you’ll begin your walk along the Coast Track, with picturesque rest stops along the way, such as at the golden sand beaches of Apple Tree Bay. Your walk will lead you back to Marahau, where you’re free to relax for the evening. Maybe grab your group for a dinner of woodfired pizzas at the cosy Park Cafe before retiring to your cabin for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Cabin (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Coast Track hike Anchorage to Marahau
  • Aquataxi Marahau to Anchorage
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s hiking distance is 13 kilometres and will take approximately 3-4 hours.

This morning climb aboard another water taxi for a cruise over to the beautiful Bark Bay, a strip of tree-lined land with a beach on one side and a tidal estuary on the other. Today’s hike will take you through groves of manuka trees, past the historic Tonga Quarry and out onto the shores of Onetahuti Bay, one of the longest beaches in the Abel Tasman. Finish your hike at the paradise-like Awaroa Bay – a place so beloved by locals that New Zealanders purchased it in a 2016 crowd-funding campaign to prevent it from falling into private ownership. In the evening, relax by the indoor fireplace or outside in the garden bar at your secluded, no-road-access lodging.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aquataxi Marahau to Bark Bay
  • Bark Bay to Awaroa Bay hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s hiking distance is 13.5 kilometres and will take approximately 4.5 hours.

Take the water taxi from Awaroa to Totaranui for a scenic hike along sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Here, nature is strictly in charge, and the famous Awaroa Inlet only has a small window when it can be crossed – two hours on either side of low tide. Your local leader will ensure you time your hike just right! Explore picturesque beaches and native forest as you work your way back to Totaranui from where you'll be catching the Watertaxi back to Marahau
Accommodation
  • Cabin (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aquataxi Awaroa Lodge to Totaranui
  • Totaranui via Awaroa Inlet hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s hiking distance is 7 kilometres and will take approximately 2 hours.

Head out for a short walk in the morning (time permitting) before hopping back on the water taxi to Marahau then grab your private transfer back to Nelson. Your Abel Tasman tour finishes on arrival in Nelson and you are free to depart at your leisure or spend more time exploring the surrounding area.
Included Activities
  • Aquataxi Anchorage to Marahau
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches

Transport

Private vehicle, Water taxi

Accommodation

Hostel (1 night), Cabin (with shared facilities) (2 night), Lodge (1 nights)

Included activities

  • Coast Track hike Anchorage to Marahau
  • Aquataxi Marahau to Anchorage
  • Aquataxi Marahau to Bark Bay
  • Bark Bay to Awaroa Bay hike
  • Aquataxi Awaroa Lodge to Totaranui
  • Totaranui via Awaroa Inlet hike
  • Aquataxi Anchorage to Marahau

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Walk Abel Tasman National Park trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

A single supplement is available for this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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