Abel Tasman Track

5 Days & 4 Nights

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. Experience a variety of accommodations including very comfortable and stunningly located lodges and a boat moored in Anchorage Bay.

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

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.

Tour 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&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Coastal Walking

Activity Level & 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.

Navigation

The track is well marked and signposted, and if you stick to the main track, there is very little chance of losing your way. This track involves tidal crossings. Our local hosts will provide information on this as you book, as it may require some flexibility with your itinerary, according to the tides. We also provide a track guide and GPX tracks are accessible on the Macs Smartphone App, so you can simply follow the route on your phone if you wish.

Accommodations

2 Nights will be spent in a B&B in Marahau and 2 Nights in very comfortable lodges along the track.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. We welcome solo walkers on the Abel Tasman Track, although you should of course take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo and there is also a solo supplement payable.

Meals

3 Breakfasts will be provided by your accommodation. However, breakfast at Awaroa Lodge is not included and you will have to purchase breakfast yourself here.

Whilst hiking on the Abel Tasman Track 4 packed lunches will be provided.

Dinners are not included but there are a few restaurants to choose from in Marahau and you can eat dinner in the lodges that you will be staying in.

Please take plenty of water with you on your daily hikes as there will be limited places along the route to refill.

Included

2 Nights in Marahau in a B&B
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
Drinks & Snacks
Personal equipment
Travel to & From Nelson
ETA & IVL requests

Extras

Rental Car
Additional nights

When To Go

The best time of year to walk the Abel Tasman Track is between October and April, during the Spring, Summer, and Autumn/Fall months. This is also when all of the accommodations are open. The weather will be more settled during these times of the year, although it can be unpredictable at any time of year.

The Abel Tasman Track is one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks and therefore is extremely popular. You will have to book quite far in advance in order for us to be successful with confirming the dates you request, especially if you wish to travel at the height of the season which is February and March. (Between Christmas and New Year is also very popular). You can take this tour anywhere between October and April. To avoid disappointment please try to plan your trip well in advance ( at least 6-9 months), if possible.

Since this track has 3 tidal estuaries to cross and the accommodation is limited in one of the areas please bear in mind that when you book our local hosts will check the dates of your tour and may have to adjust your route/itinerary accordingly. For example, your itinerary could be reversed or changed according to the tides or indeed the availability of the accommodation. We will let you know if this is the case.

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 dpearture 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.

Luggage 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.

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.

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