5 Days & 4 Nights

Abel Tasman Track

Walk New Zealand’s Abel Tasman Track, a coastal paradise
Idyllic golden beaches, crystal clear waters and native wildlife, such as the fur seal
Discover Cleopatra’s Pool, a natural pond with a moss-lined water slide
Cross a 47m suspension bridge over the Falls River
The scenic splendour of New Zealand’s smallest national park

Soak up the sunshine on our Abel Tasman Track tour, as featured in The Telegraph, New Zealand’s most relaxed long-distance Great Walk. A picturesque mix of inviting sandy beaches, lush coastal forest and pristine clear streams that tumble into the sea. The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest and you will be immersed in scenic splendour during your 4 days of walking here. It was established in 1942, exactly 300 years after Abel Tasman, the Dutch explorer anchored here. Situated at the very north of the South island, you will see a great diversity of wildlife, including fur seals and little blue penguins.

From £1,360.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Nelson. Transfer to Marahau and overnight

Arrive in Nelson - the sunniest city in New Zealand. Our shuttle will meet you at the airport, or at one of our pick-up points either in Nelson city (great if you arrive in the morning and want to explore around Nelson for a bit) at 2.30pm. It’s about an hour’s drive to Mārahau through vineyards, fruit orchards and quaint towns and villages. Once in Mārahau, we’ll check you into your lovely, private B&B style accommodation for the night.

In Mārahau we have a small network of B&Bs that we have handpicked for their comfort, privacy and high quality. We select the perfect B&B to meet your needs depending on the size of your group and availability.

Overnight Marahau

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Abel Tasman Lodge | Lodge

Nestled in lush native gardens, the Abel Tasman Lodge is positioned for the all-day sun with stunning views of the Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman Sands B&B | Bed and breakfast

Welcoming B&B on the Abel Tasman Track that has a garden and terrace views.

Tides Hotel | Hotel

This modern centrally-located hotel is situated right on the river and just a few minutes walk from Nelson’s main shopping area. It is locally-owned and they will look after you in an authentically kiwi way. There are 47 rooms, many with Maitai River, poolside or Nelson city views and private balconies.

Day 2 Marahau to Anchorage Bay. Transfer to Marahau and overnight 8 miles / 12.5 km

After breakfast in your accommodation, our local partner will give you your lunch for the day and off you go!

The Abel Tasman Track was named after the Dutch explorer who actually never set foot on these shores due to an altercation with the local Maori’s. This short, easy day of walking allows you to begin to absorb these scenic surroundings of lush beech forest and stunning sea views. Cross the Marahau river estuary on a causeway and follow the trail through open countryside and forest, with giant Karuk trees. Turn inland and walk through several gullies before emerging out to the sweeping sands of Anchorage Bay.

This afternoon a short taxi ride brings you back to your accommodation in Marahau.

Overnight Marahau

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Abel Tasman Lodge | Lodge

Nestled in lush native gardens, the Abel Tasman Lodge is positioned for the all-day sun with stunning views of the Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman Sands B&B | Bed and breakfast

Welcoming B&B on the Abel Tasman Track that has a garden and terrace views.

Day 3 Transfer to Anchorage Bay. Walk to Awaroa Inlet 12 miles / 19 km

Return via water taxi to Torrent Bay. This is a lovely day, often considered the best part of the track with the regenerating beech forest undispersed with those amazing golden sand beaches that the Abel Tasman is famous for. If you wish (and as long as you take the high tide option) you can walk 20 minutes to see Cleopatra’s Pool.

Walk over the Falls River on a very impressive suspension bridge, before winding your way along the track through verdant coastal forest. Walk over the golden sands of Bark Bay, before heading inland over a small peninsula and over the Tonga Saddle and Quarry. It’s a short walk from here to Onetahuti Bay which is one of the longest beaches on the Abel Tasman Track. Cross a boardwalk and finish your day in Awaroa Inlet, with its pristine beaches.

You have the option of shortening the walking distance on this long day by catching a water taxi straight to Bark Bay where you will continue your walk to Awaroa – 3.5 hours - 10.4km.

Overnight Awaroa

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Awaroa Lodge | Lodge

Awaroa Lodge is surrounded by pristine waterways, native forest and is beautifully secluded as it is not accessible by road. The main lodge is warm, inviting and full of character with a comfy lounge, library, bar, restaurant and outdoor pizzeria. The rooms here are spacious and light with all modern amenities.

Day 4 Walk to Totaranui. Transfer to Ratanui Lodge 5.5 miles / 9 km

Cross the Awaroa Inlet and once across you are in Pound Gully where you can see the virgin beech forest and also the huge Rata trees that cling precariously to the headlands. Walk across two golden sand beaches, Waiharakeke Bay and Goat Bay on your way to Totaranui and in between the two there is a great lookout at Skinners Point offering stunning panoramic views.

Upon reaching Totaranui enjoy one of our favourite short walks (the Pukatea Loop Track) before meeting the land shuttle which transports you to the highly-rated Ratanui Lodge. Enjoy time at Ratanui Lodge and maybe go for a stroll along the beach, or relax in the spa pool.

Overnight Golden Bay

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ratanui Lodge | Lodge

Ratanui Lodge features 10 uniquely appointed guest rooms all en-suite. It is boutique hotel accommodation with an intimate restaurant, serving memorable dinners nightly. There is a small salt-water swimming pool and you can relax in the lounge with a fireplace or on the 2 outside patios.

Day 5 Transfer to Wainui. Walk to Totaranui & travel to Nelson 9.5 miles / 15.5 km

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 4.5 cheeseburgers. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This track showcases the very best that the Abel Tasman National Park has to offer. Not only this but it is also rated easy to moderate so the majority of walkers will be comfortable “tramping” these mostly smooth trails. Both wild and bird life are prevalent, from the basking fur seals on the edge of Tonga Island, to the little blue penguins that dive for their dinner in the turquoise seas.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Coastal Walking

Grade & Terrain

Rated easy to moderate, this track has a few elevation gains and losses. It is undulating, although there are some steep sections. You will mainly be walking on beaches, on coastal paths, and through the forest. The terrain can be rough at times but is usually smooth. It is important to note that on this track there are 3 tidal estuaries that need to be crossed. Whilst there are high tide routes at Torrent and Bark Bay these are less fun than the low tide alternatives. At Awaroa Inlet you have no choice but to walk across the estuary. Please see the Availability section for more details on this.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

2 Nights in Marahau
2 Nights in Lodges (Awaroa and Ratanui)
3 Breakfasts
4 Packed lunches
Luggage transportation (limited to one bag per person and 10kg weight)
Shuttle bus transfer from Nelson to Marahau (at 2:15pm from central Nelson and at 2:30pm from Nelson Airport)
Return water taxi to/from Marahau
Transfer from Totaranui to Ratanui Lodge
Short shuttle from Ratanui Lodge to Wainui Car Park
Water taxi Totaranui to Marahau
Transfer Marahau to Nelson/Nelson Airport (Departs from Marahau at 4:30pm on final day)
Information Pack and personalised itinerary
Access to the Macs Smartphone App with GPS Tracks
Full briefing on Day 2 of your itinerary in Marahau
24-7 Emergency telephone support

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
2 Breakfasts
4 Dinners
Travel to and from Nelson
Drinks & Snacks
Personal equipment
ETA & IVL mandatory requests

Extras

Rental Car
Additional nights

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

By Air: You can fly into and out of Nelson Airport which is located only 5 miles from central Nelson. There are domestic flights into Nelson from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch Airports.
Our local hosts will transport you to your accommodation in Marahau from Nelson Airport at 2:30pm. Try to time your arrival time to catch this shuttle bus. Or it can also pick you up in central Nelson at 7am or 2:15pm if you happen to be staying here the night before your tour or if you arrive earlier today. You can also catch a taxi from the airport to central Nelson.

A transfer is also included on the final day to either Nelson or Nelson Airport, so you can make your way onward journeys from here. It departs from Marahau at 4:30pm. The journey time to the airport is approximately one hour so depending on traffic you should be arriving at the airport around 5:30pm. Alternatively they can drop you off in central Nelson.

If your time of arrival and departure does not liaise with the shuttle bus transfer we can arrange custom transfer(s) for you at a cost of approximately £100. Please ask your Destination & Adventure Specialist for details.

* Please be aware that when booking flights from the UK to New Zealand you will arrive 2 days after you set off and on return you will arrive 1 day after you set off. So, for example, if you leave on a Tuesday you will arrive on a Thursday and on return if you leave on a Saturday you will arrive home on Sunday. This is obviously because of the time it takes to get there but also because you are travelling back and forth across the International Date Line. Similar principles apply when travelling from other places in Europe and from the USA and Canada. Please make sure that when you book you take this into consideration so that you are arriving on the correct day that the tour begins.

Baggage Transfer

Overnight luggage is transferred by boat each day to be at your accommodation when you arrive. The luggage has to be lifted in and out of boats with no jetties around for easy unloading, so for this reason we ask our guests to follow the list of required items and pack lightly – aim for one bag weighing 10kg. Our local partner provides free luggage storage in Marahau for your extra luggage (although there is a cost involved if it needs to be transported to Nelson) and special loaner bags for you to use for your overnight gear if required. Duffel bags or small suitcases suitable for carry-on luggage on airplanes are perfect for your Abel Tasman trip if you have them. One of the local staff will drop a loaner bag around to your accommodations along with your information/map pack for your trip if required.

Info & FAQ

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes, and a day pack. There are a couple of places along the track where you’ll be required to cross tidal estuaries and we strongly recommend the use of water shoes (crocs, sports sandals, etc) for these as there are sharp shells and small stones that can cut bare feet.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.