Abel Tasman Guided Walk – From £725

Lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner included.

You’ll be picked up by the Wilsons coach, from Nelson, at approx. 10:30 – 11am, for a 1 hour 30 minute drive through Motueka to the small beach resort of Kaiteriteri, where you board your Vista Cruise vessel. As you cruise from Kaiteriteri at the southern tip of the Park to Totaranui in the North (cruise time 1 hour 20 minutes) you echo the contours of the beautiful Abel Tasman coastline. Relax on the upper or lower viewing decks, to delight in sweeping golden bays and hidden inlets, framed by lush, evergreen native forest. Walk from Totaranui to the breathtaking Awaroa inlet, where a warm kiwi welcome awaits you at Meadowbank Homestead – Awaroa, a faithful re-creation of the Wilson family’s original home on the ‘finest site in the bay’.

Breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and dinner included.

After a relaxing night’s sleep and home-cooked breakfast overlooking the gardens by the sea at Meadowbank, you’ll be ready for your scenic day walk to Torrent Bay. If you’re not feeling energetic, your guide will arrange for a boat ride so can choose the amount of walking to suit.

Section 1: (4kms/2.5 miles) 9 am (approx.) leave Awaroa to enjoy a morning walking through native forest with magnificent coastal views, then walk along the golden sands of Onetahuti Beach. Continue on to explore the historic sites and picturesque golden cove of Tonga Quarry beach.

Section 2: (7kms/4.4 miles) From Tonga Quarry, walk over a forested saddle and around the Waterfall Trail to Bark Bay. Midday, stop for lunch at Bark Bay, taking time out to relax, explore, swim, or sunbathe on the golden sands.

Section 3: (7kms/4.4 miles) From Bark Bay, walk the most varied section of the coastal track as it winds through shady gullies of mature Beech forest, fern grottos, and sunny groves of Manuka framing coastal vistas. Cross the swing bridge at Falls River and continue on to Torrent Bay. Around 4.30 pm, a welcome awaits at Torrent Bay Lodge, right on the beachfront. This was the Wilson family’s holiday home, now tastefully extended and renovated to include all modern comforts whist keeping its relaxed, beach holiday atmosphere.

Leisurely options: 11.50 am, board the Vista catamaran at Tonga Quarry. Cruise to Bark Bay to join the rest of your group for lunch or continue on to Torrent Bay. 3.00 pm, board the Vista catamaran at Medlands Beach (Bark Bay) to cruise to Torrent Bay.

Breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, and lunch included.

Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay, and perhaps a coffee on the deck before breakfast. Then, on your final day, walk the easiest section of the coastal track from Torrent Bay to Marahau, with panaromic views across Tasman Bay to Nelson. Along the way you’ll rediscover the pristine bays and beaches named by French Explorer, Dumont D’Urville in 1827. Depart Torrent Bay Lodge at about 9.00 am. Around midday, stop for lunch at a sheltered beach with views of the islands in the Astrolabe Roadstead. A comfortable coach meets you at Marahau (or Kaiteriteri) to return you to Nelson at approx. 5.30pm. Leisurely Option: 12.40 pm, join the Vista Cruise at Apple Tree Bay to cruise to Kaiteriteri.