Skip to content

Take the intrepid route

One of New Zealand’s Great Walks, The Abel Tasman Coastal Track has all the wildness of NZ’s wonderful forests mixed with the stunning beauty of its golden sand beaches.

This package is ideal for people with a reasonable level of fitness who want to carry their own gear and meet people in shared bunkhouse accommodation along the way.

Stay in the DOC huts along the way (in typical bunkhouse type accommodation). You will need to organise and carry your own pack, including food, sleeping bag, cooking & eating utensils and of course clothing. The DOC huts are located at Anchorage, Bark Bay and Awaroa.

abel-tasman-guides-horizontal-sun-icon-120

PRICE:
From NZD$389 per person

Includes:

  • Transport from your accommodation in the Nelson area to Marahau and back
  • 2 nights accommodation in DoC Huts
  • Water taxi transport from Awaroa/Totaranui to Marahau
  • Your personalised itinerary and maps
  • Arrival briefing with our team in Marahau

Itinerary

These walks can be done in either direction – from South to North, or North to South along the Abel Tasman Track. The tides indicate the direction of each trip and so your departure date sets the direction of your trip. Never fear, either way you walk, it is an extraordinary experience!

Day 1 – Marahau to Anchorage

approx. 4 hours walking – 12.4kms

Pick up from your Nelson accommodation to take you to Marahau to start your walk.

Spend the day hiking, swimming and exploring the forest, the track and golden sand beaches en route to Anchorage.

Spend the night in Anchorage Hut.

 

Day 2 – Anchorage to Bark Bay

approx. 4 hours walking – 11.5kms

Begin walking along the wonderful beach at Anchorage, pass civilised Torrent Bay before heading up and over to the iconic Falls River Swing Bridge and further to Bark Bay.

Spend the night at Bark Bay.

 

Day 3 – Bark Bay to Awaroa

approx 3.5 hours walking – 10.4kms

From Bark Bay the track heads up the largest ascent on the whole trip ending up back at sea level at Tonga Quarry.  Then you come to Onetahuti Beach which you will walk along before walking over the last saddle to wonderful Awaroa.

Catch your water taxi here to take you back to Marahau for your transport back to Nelson.

Day 1 Marahau to Anchorage

approx. 4 hours walking – 12.4kms

Pick up from your Nelson accommodation to take you to Marahau to start your walk.

Spend the day hiking, swimming and exploring the forest, the track and the golden sand beaches en route to Anchorage.

Enjoy staying in Anchorage Hut.

 

Day 2 Anchorage to Awaroa

approx. 7-8 hours walking – 21.9kms

Begin walking along the wonderful beach at Anchorage, pass civilised Torrent Bay before heading up and over the 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 back at sea level at Tonga Quarry.  Next you come to Onetahuti Bay and after walking along it head towards Awaroa.

Stay at Awaroa Hut.

 

Day 3 Awaroa – Totaranui

approx 2-3 hours walking – 7.1kms

Cross the large tidal inlet at Awaroa at low tide then it is into some wonderful podocarp forest before bursting out on the golden sand of Waiharakeke Bay and Goat Bay before the final ascent over to the popular camping spot of Totaranui.  Here catch your water taxi back to Marahau for your transport back to Nelson.

You might also like our 3 day unguided trip staying in hotel style accommodation

Or you might like our 3 Day Guided Journeys

Want to add a little kayaking?

Back To Top