Hiking
Abel Tasman Coast Track
This is a Great Walk of unsurpassed beauty. The ultimate in gorgeous beaches, bright blue sea and dense native forest tumbling down to rocky coves. The track is very well maintained and the terrain is easy going so its suitable for all sorts of hikers too. Welcome to the most popular tramp in New Zealand.
This is a Great Walk of unsurpassed beauty. The ultimate in gorgeous beaches, bright blue sea and dense native forest tumbling down to rocky coves. The track is very well maintained and the terrain is easy going so its suitable for all sorts of hikers too. Welcome to the most popular tramp in New Zealand.
Activity in brief
- Distance:
- 40km
- Duration:
- 3 - 5 days
- Start - End:
- Marahau - Totaranui / Wainui
- Transport:
- Shuttle, Boat, Vehicle Transfer
Terrain: Easy with a few uphill sections. Some shallow river crossings
Accommodation: Private Lodge, Glamping, Designated Great Walk Huts.
Nearest Town: Marahau
Activity Overview
Beautiful golden sandy beaches, glittering blue waters, strange granite rock formations and deep green forested hills combine to create a jaw dropping spectacle.
The walk itself follows the coastline within Abel Tasman National Park – NZ’s smallest and most visited. You will get fantastic views across Tasman Bay, pass through old growth native forest and marvel at the massive tidal range that reduces a wide river estuary into a shallow stream ready to be crossed on foot.
Accommodation options include Department of Conservation Huts and Campgrounds, Glamping or Luxury Lodges. You can even get your luggage transported for you, so no heavy packs to cart around!
"WE HAD AN AMAZING TIME ON THE ABEL TASMAN WALK - THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT SO EASY FOR US! THE WEATHER WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT AND THE COLOURS OF THE OCEAN, THE FORESTS AND THE BIRDS MADE IT A VERY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE" LYNDA, NZ
Itineraries
Personalised Itineraries
Water taxis allow for great flexibility on the track allowing you to walk the Abel Tasman in a way that suits you; reducing or lengthening your walk, starting or finishing in a place of your choosing or even missing out a section if you like - this is an especially useful feature if you have younger kids with you.
It’s also possible to combine your walk with some kayaking too: this gives a really different perspective on this awesome National Park!
As for accommodation you can opt for anything from campgrounds and huts to glamping and luxury lodges - let us know what suits you and we can arrange it for you.
We provide on-demand Nelson Airport transfers and transportation to and from the Abel Tasman. We can also pick you up from Wainui if you want to extend your walk all the way out to Golden Bay.
Contact us today and we can help you with some great advice and organise all the details for you.
Include the Abel Tasman in your unique Multi-Activity Trip
You can combine this walk with any other activity on this website to create your own unique itinerary.
When you develop your own tailor-made itinerary with us, it's fully customised with your choice of activities, accommodation and transport around New Zealand - Click here for more information about Multi-Activity Trips or Enquire Now to get started.
BOOK this trip online now...
Four Day Classic Independent Walk
- Hut and "glamping" accommodation on the track plus water taxi transportation from Totaranui back to Marahau included.
- Includes daily luggage transfers.
- Accomodation upgrade available to luxury lodge accommodation in Marahau and on the trail.
- Return shuttle available from Nelson.
Day One: Marahau to Anchorage (11.5km 4 Hours). The first day on the track takes you from the start point at Marahau through open country, then lush native forest, to Anchorage Bay, where you spend the night in the Great Walk Hut. If you upgrade to the lodge option a water taxi will bring you back to Marahau for the night in a private ensuite lodge room.
Day Two: Anchorage to Bark Bay (9.5km 3 Hours). The next day sees you head for stunning Bark Bay. For a short-cut Torrent Bay estuary can be crossed within 2 hours either side of low tide, or you can take the all-tide track around it. The trail winds through lush coastal forest before being led back to the sea where you will spend your second night at the Bark Bay Great Walk Hut. If you upgrade to the lodge option a water taxi will take you to Anchorage in the morning and bring you back to Marahau again for the night.
Day Three: Bark Bay to Awaroa (11.5km 4 Hours). This is going to be another spectacular day on the trail as you walk to Awaroa. A bit of a climb takes you through stands of mānuka. Return to the coast at Tonga Quarry and then it’s a short walk from there to Onetahuti Bay, where one of the longest beaches in the Abel Tasman stretches before you. The track then leads over the forested Tonga Saddle before dropping down to Awaroa. Spend your last night in one of Awaroa Glamping's awesome furnished tents and dine on homemade wood-fired pizza. If you upgrade to the lodge option a water taxi will take you from Marahau to Bark Bay in the morning and you then make your way to the stunning Awaroa Lodge eco retreat for the night.
Day Four: Awaroa to Totaranui (8km 3 Hours). Your final day on the trail takes you to Totaranui. Awaroa Inlet can only be crossed within 1 hour 30 minutes before and 2 hours after low tide, when it becomes a great expanse of golden sand (we will give you the timings for this). Back on the main track, the scenery alternates between sandy beaches, rocky headlands with stunning views to the sea below and gorgeous native forest with groves of nikau palms. You will get picked up from Totaranui by boat in the afternoon and returned to Marahau.
Pricing: Four Day Classic Independent Walk
Standard Walk Package: From NZD$490 per adult and from NZD$340 per child (14 years or younger). Includes hut accommodation, daily luggage transfers and water taxi transportation from Totaranui to Marahau.
Upgrade Walk Package with Luxury Lodge Accommodation: From NZD$995 per adult and from NZD$595 per child (14 years or younger). Includes 3 nights ensuite lodge accommodation in Marahau and Awaroa, luggage transfers and all water taxis.
These are our Standard Season Rates from October to end April. Please contact us for more info on our Low Season Deals outside of these dates.
Book NowActivity Planning
When to go
The climate in the Abel Tasman allows this tramp to be completed at any time of year. Beware though: the main summer months are manically busy. If you can avoid December through to the end of February, you should. March is a great time to visit as the weather is usually still lovely and the crowds have dwindled somewhat.
The estuary crossings can only be done at certain times depending upon the tide. We can help you plan for this.
What to bring
Wet weather gear
Light walking shoes (that you can get off easily when it’s time to wade across the shallows)
Hat
Sunscreen
Large water bottle
Insect repellant
First-aid kit
Torch
Communication device
Sleeping bag
All your food, gas cooker, plates, bowls, utensils etc.
Accommodation
Standard accommodation on the trail
Huts
We will arrange your accommodation in the Department of Conservation Great Walk Huts along the track. They feature toilets, fresh water, mattresses, tables, benches and heating.
For more information about backcountry huts in New Zealand please checkout our Accommodation page.
Awaroa Glamping
Enjoy one of New Zealand's premier Glamping locations, with luxury double, twin or family tents set up for you when you arrive. All glamping tents are fully furnished and communal kitchen and bathroom facilities are just a short walk away. Pizza, drinks and wifi also available.
Lodge upgrade accommodation
Abel Tasman Lodge
Nestled in lush native gardens the chalets are positioned for the all-day sun with stunning views of the Abel Tasman National Park.
Awaroa Lodge
If you want to treat yourself to a shower, a lovely meal and sleep in a real bed then we can offer accommodation in a luxurious lodge on your final night on the track. Surrounded by pristine waterways and native forest, the lodge has been constructed to make the most of its secluded location. Choose from charming accommodation options; Standard or Family rooms and the luxurious architecturally designed Superior Suites. The main lodge is warm, inviting and full of character with a comfy lounge, library, bar, restaurant and outdoor pizzeria.
Accommodation in Nelson-Tasman
We can organise your accommodation in the Nelson-Tasman region for before and after your walk if you wish. Please let us know what sort of accommodation you are looking for when you make your booking for this activity, and we can discuss the options with you.
Transportation
Nelson and Airport Shuttles
We can arrange on demand transportation between Nelson town centre, Nelson Airport, Marahau and Wainui - please contact us for more details.
Water Taxi
When you have finished your walk at Totaranui you will be picked by water taxi and returned to Marahau. The exact time of this pick up will depend on when the daily low tide makes your crossing of the Awaroa estuary possible - we can check the tides for the date of your walk and organise a pick up time that suits you best.
Personalised Itineraries - Water taxi, shuttle bus and vehicle relocation options available
If you want to develop your own personalised walk with us then we can organise all the transportation. For example if you want to skip a certain part of the track, you can be transferred from one section to another if you wish. You can also be transported to and from your chosen start and finish points. These options are especially useful if you are walking with younger children. Contact us for more information on how to personalise your walk and your transport requirements.
Route Map
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These walks are popular for a reason: well maintained, easily accessible, lots of accommodation options and mind blowing scenery too! However, this does mean that they will get very busy in the peak summer season and accommodation gets booked up months in advance. Take the hassle out of your adventure and allow us to organise it all for you.
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These hikes offer luxury accommodation, fine dining and even the ability to transport your luggage between overnight destinations. All you have to do is the walking bit! Contact us for advice on the best luxury hiking experience for you and allow us to set it all up for you.
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If you are looking to do some multi-day walking with younger children, these hikes are great options. They are easy to access and have transportation to get you about too. Therefore, you can pick the best sections for your kids’ abilities. We know all about walking with kids here at Active Aotearoa so let us help you find and organise the most suitable hike for your family.
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These hikes have all the alluring beautiful wilderness of the better known options but with less people around to have to share them with. It is definitely worth getting off the beaten track to explore these amazing walks. We can help you find your perfect bit of solitude, and organise all the details for you too.