We
take five leisurely days to travel the whole length of the
track, from Marahau to Wainui in Golden Bay.
Accommodation is in the Department
of Conservation huts with guaranteed bed space, and if huts
are full, or if you prefer, we will camp. We supply and organise
the tents. Walks are available all year round.
We use the water taxi service
to carry the packs and food for the first three days, but
you will need to carry your clothes and sleeping bag for the
last two days (1 night).
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Itinerary
Day 1 (4 hours) Marahau
to Anchorage
Depart Nelson and drive across the Waimea Plains, through Motueka,
arriving at Marahau at the start of the Abel Tasman Track. From the
car park, the track crosses a causeway and passes gradually from dry
bracken ridges to an area of beautifully bushed gullies and headlands
with ever changing views of the Astrolabe Roadstead and Adele Island.
A small climb and then the track drops down to beautiful Anchorage
Bay Hut (24 bunks) where we stay for the night.
Day 2 (4 hours) Anchorage
to Bark Bay
After breakfast we cross the estuary if it is low tide, or take the
longer bush route if the tide is in. There is a short diversion to
visit the delightful Cleopatra's Pool, and then we return to the main
track. The walk here is mainly in the bush with glimpses of the coast,
eventually dropping down to Bark Bay Hut (25 bunks) for the night.
Day 3 (4 hours) Bark Bay
to Awaroa
We cross Bark Bay estuary, or follow the bush route if the tide is
in, then climb steeply to a saddle, far from the sounds of the sea.
We return to the shore at Tonga Quarry with views of Tonga Island
then on to Onetahuti Beach, where once again the route is affected
by the tides. Then over the low Tonga Saddle and down to the beautiful
Awaroa Inlet for a cappuccino or latte at The Awaroa Lodge, before
the 30-minute walk to Awaroa Hut (25 bunks) for the night.
Day 4 (5-6 hours) Awaroa
to Whariwharangi
Today's itinerary depends on the tides, because we can only cross
the Awaroa Inlet either side of low tide. It may be an early morning
start with breakfast on the other side, or a leisurely morning with
late breakfast! From the northern side, the track crosses a low saddle
before dropping down to Waiharakeke Bay, then through Goat Bay to
Totaranui. After Totaranui we visit Anapai Bay, Mutton Cove and Separation
Point with spectacular views of its lighthouse, Tasman and Golden
Bays and the seal colony. Then another 1.5 hours and we arrive at
the historic house at Whariwharangi Bay (19 bunks) for the night.
Day 5 (1-2 hours) Whariwharangi
to Wainui
Leaving Whariwharangi Bay we walk over the Wainui Saddle with beautiful
views of Wainui Bay, to Wainui Inlet where we will be picked up about
11.00 a.m. Transport is provided to Takaka for lunch and freshening
up. In the afternoon we deliver you back to Nelson, or you can stay
in Golden Bay for the night and visit various sights, including the
largest cold-water springs in Australasia - Waikoropupu Springs, Takaka,
Collingwood, and maybe some of the local arts and crafts of Golden
Bay.
Note: clients may
wish to stay in Golden Bay for a longer visit, or travel back to Nelson
on Day 5
Grade: Easy
Price includes:
• Meeting you in Nelson or Motueka
• Transport to and from the track
• The services of a trained and experienced guide
• We supply, carry and cook the food
• You only carry a day pack (except on the last two days)
• Hut passes and bookings
• Souvenir map
To help you plan your trip, we offer the following
list of what to pack.
• 1 Pack of suitable size
• 1 Plastic inner pack liner
• 1 Good quality sleeping bag in a plastic bag
• 1 Good quality weatherproof jacket
• 1 Pair of tramping boots (lightweight recommended)
• 1 Pair of lightweight sandals or 'Crocs' for evenings
• 1 Pair trousers or sweat pants for evenings
• Spare underwear
• 1 Hiking shorts (non denim)
• Spare shirts
• 1 Woollen jersey or polarfleece
• Spare socks
• 1 Warm hat in winter
• 1 Cool hat in summer
• Swimwear
• 1 Plastic bag for clothes
• 1 Toilet gear and towel
• 1 Sunblock
• 1 Sandfly lotion
• 1 One Litre drink bottle
• 1 Camera
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