Abel Tasman Walk: End to End - 6 Days

Abel Tasman Walk: End to End - 6 Days

6 Days
Moderate

Abel Tasman Walk: End to End - 6 Days

from $2,895 / person

Overview

Walk the full length of one of New Zealand's most celebrated Great Walks, tracing the Abel Tasman Coast Track from Marahau to Wainui Bay through pristine golden beaches, granite headlands and native coastal forest. The Nelson region enjoys more sunshine hours than anywhere else in New Zealand, and nowhere does that feel more true than here — turquoise water, clear freshwater streams and secluded beaches invite swimmers at every turn. This itinerary pairs the full track experience with genuinely outstanding accommodation, including a stay at the acclaimed Awaroa Lodge, private transfers and comfortable lodgings in Marahau village.

Highlights

  • Walk the entire stunning Abel Tasman Coast Track from Marahu 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
  • 5 breakfasts, 4 walkers lunches and 3 dinners
  • Forests filled with birdsong and lush rainforest gullies packed with majestic tree ferns
  • Optional walk to Separation Point lighthouse
  • 5 nights accommodation in beautiful lodges, including 4-star Awaroa lodge
  • A la carte meals at Awaroa Lodge, including 3-course dinners
  • Boat transfers to gain full access to the Abel Tasman National Park and its beauty

Itinerary

Loading overview…

What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Lodge (5 nights)

Meals

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners

Transfers

  • Water Taxi
  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 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

10-16 km

Daily distance range

313-580 m

Daily ascent range

6/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation on this walk is a highlight in its own right. Your first nights are spent in Marahau village, in a sunny chalet set among lush native gardens.

From there, water taxis transfer you into the heart of the national park for your stay at Awaroa Lodge, beautifully secluded and surrounded by pristine waterways and native forest, accessible only by water taxi or on foot. The main lodge is warm and full of character, with a restaurant, bar, library and outdoor pizzeria nestled among the trees. An extra night here at the end of your walk is highly recommended.


What You'll Eat

Dinners in Marahau are yours to explore — a short stroll into the village puts you among a good selection of restaurants serving fresh seafood and local produce.

At Awaroa Lodge, meals are a genuine highlight: the restaurant showcases seasonal flavours from the lodge's own organic garden, with three-course à la carte dinners included each evening. Five breakfasts and four packed walkers lunches are included throughout the walk.


How You'll Get Around

Private transfers run between Nelson and Marahau at the start and end of your walk. Each day on the track, water taxis transfer you to your starting point and return you to your accommodation at the end of the day, leaving you free to focus entirely on the walking.


More About This Trip

Flights to Nelson are available from all major New Zealand centres, with a private transfer to Marahau included on arrival. If you prefer to self-drive, the roads from Christchurch are excellent and offer plenty to see along the way — your vehicle can be left safely at your Marahau accommodation for the duration of the walk.

Note: If flying out of Nelson on the final day, please book your departure flight no earlier than 3 pm. The morning water taxi returns to Marahau at approximately 12 pm, with an estimated arrival at Nelson Airport of no earlier than 1 pm.

The Abel Tasman track is available from October through to late April.

Spring and autumn are ideal as it's quieter, with beautiful light and comfortable walking temperatures. January and February are popular and should be booked well in advance, as the area draws significant holiday crowds.

The high season runs from late December through to late March, and additional costs apply over the Christmas and New Year period from 22 December to 7 January.

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.

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 Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

October 2026

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Available
Limited
Unavailable
Out of season

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

Abel Tasman reviews

5.0
39 reviews
5 Star
38
4 Star
1
3 Star
0
2 Star
0
1 Star
0

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