Abel Tasman Walk & Queen Charlotte Track: End to End - 11 Days
Two of New Zealand's finest coastal walks, back to back, through some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer. The Abel Tasman Coast Track runs the full route from Marahau to Wainui Bay, tracing golden sands, crystal clear waters, freshwater swimming holes, and secluded beaches through a region that enjoys more sunshine hours than anywhere else in New Zealand.
From there, the Queen Charlotte Track winds beneath a native forest canopy with breathtaking views over Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. The Marlborough region's gourmet reputation and quality waterfront accommodation add another layer to the experience, and wine lovers have the option to add a day exploring the area's famous wineries.
Four-star accommodation at Awaroa Lodge, Furneaux Lodge, and the Portage, sumptuous meals, and private transfers including on the water ensure every comfort is taken care of throughout.
Highlights
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4.5-Star Hotel (3 nights), 4-star Hotel (5 nights), 3.5-Star Hotel (2 nights)
10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 6 dinners
Auswalk Walking Grade
Moderate to Challenging
Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.
Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.
View Fitness Guide8
Days on the trail
12-27 km
Daily distance range
313-1161 m
Daily ascent range
4/10
Trail difficulty
Ten nights on this walk are split between two of New Zealand's most celebrated walking routes, each with accommodation that reflects the landscape it sits in. On the Abel Tasman section, the first nights are spent in a sunny chalet nestled in lush native gardens in the village of Marahau, a short stroll from fresh seafood and local restaurants. From there, the walk moves to a secluded lodge in the heart of Abel Tasman National Park, reachable only by water taxi or on foot. Being inside the park puts you completely immersed in the surrounding wilderness, and an extra day here at the end of your walk is well worth considering.
On the Queen Charlotte Track, the accommodation sits right on the water along the sound itself, with high-quality lodges that are as much a draw as the walking. The hosts at every property are warm and genuinely ready to help, and the combination of waterfront location and first-rate facilities is a large part of what makes this section so memorable.
Across both walks, ten breakfasts, eight walker's lunches and six dinners are included. On the Abel Tasman section, the park lodge stands out for its food as much as its setting, with cooked breakfasts prepared from ingredients grown on-site and two-course à la carte dinners that reflect the quality of the surroundings. Walker's lunches are provided on each walking day throughout both sections. On evenings where dinner is not part of the package, the accommodations along the Queen Charlotte Track are well placed for local dining options.
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.
The walk starts in Marahau and finishes near Picton, on New Zealand's South Island. Nelson Airport (NSN) is served by domestic flights from all major New Zealand centres. A private transfer from Nelson to the start of the walk in Marahau is included on the first day. Those self-driving can leave their vehicle safely at the accommodation in Marahau.
The walk ends near Picton, with a transfer to Blenheim Airport included at no additional cost, from where domestic flights connect to Auckland and other New Zealand centres. Alternatively, a ferry from Picton to Wellington is a scenic option, with onward flights available from there. For those with more time, the Coastal Pacific train from Picton to Christchurch is widely regarded as one of the great rail journeys of New Zealand and is highly recommended.
This walk is available from 1 October to 30 April, with no fixed start days. Spring and autumn are the finest seasons, with long sunny days and quieter trails. October and November offer peaceful conditions on both tracks. December through February brings warm, settled weather and excellent swimming from the Abel Tasman's golden beaches, though early booking is strongly advised and a peak season supplement applies from 22 December to 7 January. March is one of the finest months, with stable weather and fewer fellow walkers. Pack insect repellent whatever the month; sandflies are a feature of the Abel Tasman year-round.
This walk is graded moderate to challenging. Daily walks average 16.5 kilometres with around 725 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 6 out of 10. Tracks are well-graded and undulating, with some elevation to factor in on certain days. Good walking boots with reliable ankle support are recommended, and a regular training routine of three to four times per week with hill work incorporated is advisable preparation. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.
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.
Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule
Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.
The walk was so well organised, very easy to follow both through the descriptions and sign posts along the way, and encompassed beautiful views and varied terrain, Accommodation at end of each day was delightful (especially the first 2 nights). There were a lot of kilometres to cover, but the suggested times were achievable, I walked this on my own, with no problems - so encourage any other solo walkers to do it too!
Departure point very conveniently located to first hotel. Well organized, great communication. Accommodation and meals along the route were fantastic. Generally very enjoyable experience.
The Queen Charlotte Track was our second walk with Auswalk. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed both walks. We chose self guided and all the information we were given was very easy to interpret. I would definitely walk with Auswalk again.
Our Queen Charlotte Track walk was excellent. Auswalk and its service providers operated as a well oiled machine, from advising us on walk selection to taking care of the logistics with no unpleasant surprises or disappointments. Communication was excellent at all stages, allowing us to relax and enjoy ourselves at all times.
Everything went smoothly. The trip notes and map were easy to understand. The accommodation and food were excellent. We were very lucky and had lovely weather making the views spectacular.
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.
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