Abel Tasman Coast Track: End to End - 6 Days
New ZealandAbel Tasman

Abel Tasman Coast Track: End to End - 6 Days

6 Days
Moderate

Abel Tasman Coast Track: End to End - 6 Days

from $3,495 / person

Overview

The Abel Tasman Coast Track runs end to end from Marahau to Wainui Bay, tracing one of New Zealand's most spectacular coastlines through golden coves, sparkling estuaries, and native forest. Opportunities to swim in crystal clear waters are plentiful throughout.

The forest is alive with birdsong, with lush rainforest gullies and majestic tree ferns lining much of the route. Each night is spent at the four-star Awaroa Lodge, with a la carte dinners to end each day.

Highlights

  • Guided walk on the entire Abel Tasman Coast Track from Marahau to Wainui Bay
  • Spectacular coastline including one-of-a-kind views over gorgeous golden coves, sparkling waters, and native forest
  • Stacks of opportunities to take a swim in crystal clear waters
  • Forests filled with birdsong and lush rainforest gullies packed with majestic tree ferns
  • Stay in 4-star luxury at Awaroa Lodge, with la carte dinners
  • Boat transfers to gain full access to the Abel Tasman National Park and its beauty
  • Enjoy 5 breakfasts, 4 walkers’ lunches and 5 dinners, all inclusive

Itinerary

Day 1

Abel Tasman Track
1-2h

The trip starts with a private transfer from Nelson airport to Marahau at 2.00 pm. Alternatively, if you are driving, you can choose to meet us in Marahau. Relax in comfort in lovely accommodation directly adjacent to the park. Take a stroll along the beach, explore the boardwalk at the southern end of the track, or venture up into the hinterland behind the village. Or just sit and relax and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings.

Accommodation

3-star Hotel in Marahau

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (3 nights), 4-star Lodge (2 nights)

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners

Transfers

  • Private Vehicle Transfers
  • Water Taxi
  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

3

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.

View Fitness Guide

4

Days on the trail

14-19 km

Daily distance range

313-580 m

Daily ascent range

4/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Five nights on this walk are spent in comfortable lodges, beginning in Marahau, where the properties sit in native bush next to the park with en-suite rooms throughout. Two of those nights are spent inside Abel Tasman National Park itself, at a four-star lodge with a long history and staff who are genuinely invested in making your stay memorable. Being based inside the park gives you the freedom to explore the surrounding area at your own pace, well beyond the daily walking routes.

Please note that due to the number of rooms required, it is not always possible to book the same class of room for all guests at the park lodge. All rooms are excellent, though some may be larger than others. Rooms are assigned on a first-in-best-dressed basis.

What You'll Eat

Meals on this walk are well worth looking forward to. Five breakfasts, four walker's lunches and five dinners are included throughout. Dinners in Marahau are two-course à la carte meals, while the nights inside the park bring three-course à la carte dining prepared by professional chefs who also take care of the cooked breakfasts each morning. Walker's lunches are provided on each walking day to keep you going between stops.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Marahau and finishes in Nelson, on the north coast of New Zealand's South Island. Nelson Airport (NSN) is served by domestic flights from all major New Zealand centres. A private transfer from Nelson Airport to the start of the walk in Marahau departs at 2.00pm on the first day. Those self-driving can leave their vehicle safely at the accommodation in Marahau.

The walk ends with a morning ferry back to Marahau, arriving at the terminal at around 12.00pm, with an estimated arrival at Nelson Airport of no earlier than 1.00pm. Please do not book a departing flight before 3.00pm on the final day to allow sufficient time for this journey.

Departure dates for this guided group walk are set for late spring through early autumn. November offers pleasant weather and fewer hikers than the busy midsummer period. December and January bring warm, settled conditions and excellent swimming from the golden beaches along the route. March often brings the most stable weather of the year, with warm days and little rain. Early booking is essential across all departure dates. Pack insect repellent; sandflies are a feature of the Abel Tasman at any time of year.

This walk is graded moderate. Daily walks average 15.5 kilometres with around 550 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 6 out of 10. The track is smooth and well-graded, with mostly gentle ascents and descents throughout. Walking days allow plenty of time to explore the many isolated beaches along the way, with optional additional walks available for those who wish to cover more ground.

A regular training routine of three to four times per week in the months before departure is advisable preparation. Good walking boots are recommended.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

On this tour we use the water taxis that operate up and down the coast of the Abel Tasman. These water taxis are small, so therefore please ensure your luggage is in a soft bag or rucksack as requested by the water taxi company. This allows for bags to be packed onto the boat easier. Try and keep your luggage as small and lightweight as possible.

The maximum weight limit is 20kg, but if it is  possible to keep you luggage lighter than this, it is always much appreciated by the water taxi crew.

Nelson is the natural base before and after the Abel Tasman. The Bishop Suter Art Gallery holds a strong collection of New Zealand art with a busy program of contemporary exhibitions. The Nelson Provincial Museum holds permanent exhibitions on the Maori and settler heritage of Te Tauihu (top of the South Island). The World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum is a distinctly New Zealand attraction celebrating design, fashion and over 150 beautifully restored vehicles.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Abel Tasman reviews

5.0
39 reviews
5 Star
38
4 Star
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1 Star
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Dianne T
2 months ago

We were picked up in Nelson and found the process and people involved wonderful. Entire walk went extremely well.

Jo N
3 months ago

We had a great walk in Abel Tasman Park. The notes and app were extensive and full of helpful pointers. Before we left home, it looked a bit daunting, but once we started it all fell into place and made perfect sense. We would certainly do more trips with AusWalks again

Rachelle G
3 months ago

Everything was wonderful, from the transfers, accommodation, food and directions. As a solo walker, Auswalk did everything and I could just relax and enjoy one of the most spectacular walks I have ever done. Thank you!!

Pauline M
3 months ago

Sarah’s shuttle transfers from Nelson to Marahau and return were very good. The Abel Tasman Track walk was wonderful. The scenery is magnificent: pristine beaches, forests, waterfalls, etc. The 6 days were perfectly orchestrated; everyone encountered was helpful and efficient. Nothing but good memories!

Karen M
4 months ago

We had the most wonderful experience from start to finish. The Accommodation was absolutely five star - Comfortable, beautifully presented, and perfectly located. One of the highlights was the stunning walk. the scenery was breathtaking as was the aqua blue ocean, wildlife. A memorable moment was being taken out to the ocean by tractor whilst onboard the water taxi - Such a unique experience. The team at Abel Tasman water taxi were fantastic, so friendly, fun and full of helpful information. The notes and instruction for our self-guided walk were spot on- easy to follow and very thoroughly prepared. Our guide for the half day kayaking adventure was also incredible, kind, patient and supportive. We would highly recommend this walk and location to anyone looking for a beautiful, well organised and truly memorable getaway.

Barb C
4 months ago

Accommodation was excellent, transfers went well. Information provided was excellent. Walk was harder than l had anticipated but l did it and was pleased l did

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about walking the Abel Tasman Track

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations by water taxi. Bags must weigh no more than 20kg and be clearly labelled with your name and mobile number using the luggage tags provided. You will carry only a daypack on the track each day.

Phone coverage is limited within Abel Tasman National Park. Do not rely on mobile signal alone. Auswalk provides a walking app with GPX files that can be downloaded and viewed offline, making navigation straightforward even without reception. We also recommend downloading the Abel Tasman National Park app before you go, which provides additional maps and information for use offline.

Yes, toilets are located at regular intervals along the track. There are also water points, however the water must be treated before drinking, as Giardia has been detected in some sources. We recommend bringing water purification tablets and checking signage at each water point, as some provide filtered water that does not require treatment.

Yes. The Awaroa Estuary and Onetahuti Beach are only passable at low tide. Your walk notes include tide timetables and crossing advice — please read these carefully and plan your days accordingly.

Yes. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can inform your accommodation hosts. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended as options can be limited in remote locations.

Key items include good waterproof walking shoes, rain gear, sunglasses, a water bottle of at least two litres, insect repellent for sandflies, water purification tablets and any personal medications. Walking poles are not necessary on this walk. A full packing list will be included in your information pack sent six weeks before departure.

Abel Tasman is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife. Native birds, including bellbirds, tūī and weka, are commonly spotted along the track, while little penguins, New Zealand fur seals and various seabirds frequent the coastline. The water taxis often pass the Adele Island bird sanctuary, where fur seals can usually be seen.

New Zealand dollars are used throughout. While credit and debit cards are accepted at both properties, it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases or incidental expenses. ATMs are not available within the national park, so we recommend withdrawing cash in Nelson or at a major airport before your walk begins.

Want to Know More?

The Abel Tasman Experience

Wonder
Enjoy the green spaces & blue spaces as you walk via forest from Marahau to Wainui Bay past golden coves & sparkling waters
Epic views across Golden Bay, Farewell Spit and the open ocean
Totaranui, Place of Big Totara Trees, and Separation Point lighthouse all add to the story.
Wellness
Wilderness immersion as you walk off the beaten path end to end on the Abel Tasman Track
Be pampered with Four-star stays with chef-prepared meals and three-course dinners
Pack free wellbeing walking with seamless water taxis, light day packs and smooth coastal tracks
Nature
Connect with nature: Massive tree ferns, temperate forest and rainforest gullies alive with birdsong
Long-nosed fur seals, dolphins and gannet breeding sites on wilder shores
Golden beaches, crystal-clear swims at Cleopatra's Pool & quiet estuary beaches