Queen Charlotte Track & Abel Tasman Walk: End to End – 11 Days

The trip starts with a private transfer from Nelson to Marahau. Alternatively, if you are driving you can choose to start 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 in the hinterland behind the village. Or just sit and relax and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings.

Walking: Easy / 2 -4 km / 1 -2 hours
Meals: Dinner at a nearby restaurant
Accommodation: Abel Tasman Lodge in ensuite rooms

Transfer by water taxi to the start of this day’s walk on the Abel Tasman. Stroll off the golden sands of Torrent Bay Beach and within moments you’re in verdant native forest. Today’s highlights include a short detour to Cleopatra’s Pool where you can take a dip in the crystal-clear freshwater. On towards Anchorage Bay and a very pleasant walk back to Marahau marvelling at the views over coves and bays.

Walking: Moderate / 15 km / 5 – 5.5 hrs
Elevation: +605m / – 610m
Meals: Breakfast and walkers’ lunch
Accommodation: Abel Tasman Lodge in ensuite rooms

Today’s walk to Totaranui is one of the best. There are epic views across Golden Bay, Farewell Spit, and the open ocean to the north. There is also some of the oldest native forest on the walk and remote beaches punctuate the track regularly. An optional walk to Separation Point lighthouse is on the menu if you’re willing. Long-nosed fur seals and gannet breeding initiatives for fauna lovers and a wilder wind-swept feel to this much less visited part of the track adds a few more dimensions to this walk.

Walking: Moderate / 16 km / 5 to 5.5 hrs
Elevation: +785m / -790m
Meals: Breakfast and walkers’ lunch
Accommodation: Abel Tasman Lodge in ensuite rooms

A fabulously smooth track through wonderful surroundings as you walk north from Torrent Bay. There are magnificent views as you make your way along the coast, moving inland through massive tree ferns some of which are over 100 years old. Today, like every day on this wonderful track, there are multiple opportunities to take a swim in the sea, in water so clear that you will think you are in the Mediterranean.

Walking: Moderate / 15.89km / 4 – 5.5 hrs
Elevation: +755m / -750 m
Meals: Breakfast, walkers’ lunch and 3-course dinner in Awaroa Lodge Restaurant
Accommodation: 4-star Awaroa Lodge in ensuite rooms

The easiest of the four days of walking, but with options for a bit more of a challenge via bonus extra walks at the northern and southern ends of the main walk for those who are keen. Or just stick with the basics to allow you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the 4-star natural setting of Awaroa Lodge. Our last day of walking the Abel Tasman features more outstanding coastal views, beautiful forests, and the feeling of total immersion in this gorgeous part of New Zealand. Today we cross the Awaroa Estuary, which is only possible within a few hours of low tide, to make our way to Totaranui. Relax on the beach if you arrive early, take a swim, or explore the headland before the water taxi transfers you back to Awaroa Lodge inside the Abel Tasman National Park. This section will be walked in the opposite direction on days when the low tide is in the afternoon.

Walking: Easy to Moderate / 10km / 2.5 – 3.5 hours
Elevation: +310m / -320m
Meals: Cooked breakfast, walkers lunch and 3-course dinner in Awaroa Lodge Restaurant
Accommodation: 4-star Awaroa Lodge in ensuite rooms

A relaxed morning may include a walk on the beach, a walk in the wetlands, or through the forest that surrounds the accommodation in the Abel Tasman National Park. After a delicious cooked breakfast in the lodge restaurant, you will be transferred by water taxi back to Marahau, and onwards to Picton, arriving at approximately 4pm.

Walking: At your own leisure
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Edit Picton Hotel in ensuite rooms

Be transferred by water to your drop-off point at Ship Cove at the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. Explore the location where Captain Cook landed 5 times and met with the South Island Maori. Within minutes of beginning the walk, we are walking through an old-growth forest. There’s a 1000-year-old Rimu tree to admire and there’s plenty of time to enjoy the lookouts and the views over Queen Charlotte Sound. We walk via Schoolhouse and Resolution Bays on our way to Endeavour Inlet and your stunning accommodation. Each day we walk in and out of your fabulous accommodation with your luggage seamlessly transported ahead which you’ll find waiting in your room.

Walking: Moderate / 17.2 km / 4.5 – 5.5 hrs
Elevation: +717m / -751m / max height 257m
Meals: Breakfast, walkers’ lunch and dinner at the accommodation
Accommodation: Furneaux Lodge in an ensuite room

This is the easiest of all days but no less rewarding. With time up your sleeve, you can wake up late and enjoy the sound of the forest and the surroundings of the spectacular Furneaux Lodge. Wander to the back of the lodge and explore the forest complete with a plethora of Rimu trees. The track today skirts around Endeavour Inlet with views of the inlet virtually the whole way. Thick native forest, lush coastal vegetation and Ponga ferns set into deep gullies make the walk worth every step, particularly as tonight’s accommodation is just as good as the previous nights.

Walking: Easy / 12 km / 3 – 4 hrs
Elevation: +501m / – 470m / Max Height 76m
Meals: Breakfast, walkers’ lunch and dinner at the accommodation
Accommodation: Punga Cove in ensuite rooms

This is the big day! Prepare for some short steep sections along the way, however the track is reasonably smooth making it easily doable in the allocated time. Be awestruck by the recurring views over Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds as you skirt across the escarpment. Whoever designed this track was a walker, because the track takes full advantage of the landscape’s scenic appeal. From time to time there are sections thick with beech and tree ferns, creating a welcoming cocoon-like experience. The highlight of this day is the consistency of the gorgeous scenery this track has to offer. Of special note, however, is Eatwell lookout and its’ 360-degree views over Endeavour Inlet and the Bay of Many Coves.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23.5 km / 7.5 – 9 hrs
Elevation: + 1199m / -1216m / Max height 469m
Meals: Breakfast, walkers’ lunch and dinner at the accommodation
Accommodation: Portage Hotel in ensuite rooms

The final walk is an excellent compendium of the days gone by, views, forest, sand, the odd view over luxury houses tucked away in isolated coves plus a lot more. The last 6 or 7 km is a magnificent gentle stroll through large tree ferns and beech forest finishing at Anakiwa Bay, the end of the Queen Charlotte Track. We transfer you back to Picton by water taxi and your accommodation. We can split this last day if you wish. Please speak to the office regarding this or if you wish to get away tonight let us know and we will reimburse you for the last night’s accommodation.

Walking:  Moderate to Challenging / 21.5 km / 6 -7.5 hrs
Elevation: +929m / -966m / Max Height 380m
Meals: Breakfast and walkers lunch
Accommodation: Edit Picton in ensuite rooms

A relaxed morning may include further exploration of Picton or the Marlborough wine-growing region. Why not do a tour of the wineries whilst you are here?

Meals: Breakfast