Abel Tasman Walks - Kaiteriteri Based
The Abel Tasman walks are World Renown and are certainly some of the most popular in New Zealand. Many visitors are keen to walk the entire track over 3 - 4 days whilst others are happy with a taste of the Abel Tasman with a 1 or 2 day walk with some relaxation inbetween. By being flexible means you can choose the best weather for the walk that most suits you. The following walks are what we have experienced first hand as day trips from Kaiteriteri. If you want flexibility and want to stay in the same accommodation each night then these are great options from Kaiteriteri Retreat. Sea Shuttle also have some very attractive fares where you can purchase a 3 day pass for the price of two. For $172 you can venture into the Park and explore any of the tracks returning you to Kaiteriteri each day. Even through the winter months the Abel Tasman walks are very accessible with boats operating twice daily from Kaiteriteri. See below for some suggested itineraries for short stays and longer stays.
Awaroa to Medlands Beach - Self Guided
The following Slideshow was taken on our Sea Shuttle day trip which took us from Kaiteriteri Beach at 9am to Awaroa where we started our expedition. This trip was a mid winter walk for us during August.
We recommend you take the 9am boat trip all the way up to Totaranui and get dropped at Awaroa on the way back south at 11am. The walk took us around 4 hours with stops and covered 10.4km. We arrived at Medlands Beach in plenty of time to connect with the Sea Shuttle launch at 3.30pm for the trip back to Kaiteriteri, arriving just after 4pm. It is not a difficult walk but does take a reasonable level of fitness. Lunch can be booked with Sea Shuttle as part of the package or you take your own boxed lunch. Make sure you take some snacks to treat yourself. The Sea Shuttle round trip cost for this excursion can be found on the Sea Shuttle website by clicking the link below.
Between October - April the Awaroa Lodge is open for lunch. Another popular option if you don't want such a long walk is to take the Sea Shuttle north to Tonga Quarry arriving at 10.15am. You will then walk north to Awaroa taking around 2.25 hours and arrive in time for lunch. The Sea Shuttle then departs Awaroa at either 1pm or 2.45pm for your return trip to Kaiteriteri. (note the 1pm departure is seasonal from October - April). The 2.45pm departure operates all year round.
We recommend you take the 9am boat trip all the way up to Totaranui and get dropped at Awaroa on the way back south at 11am. The walk took us around 4 hours with stops and covered 10.4km. We arrived at Medlands Beach in plenty of time to connect with the Sea Shuttle launch at 3.30pm for the trip back to Kaiteriteri, arriving just after 4pm. It is not a difficult walk but does take a reasonable level of fitness. Lunch can be booked with Sea Shuttle as part of the package or you take your own boxed lunch. Make sure you take some snacks to treat yourself. The Sea Shuttle round trip cost for this excursion can be found on the Sea Shuttle website by clicking the link below.
Between October - April the Awaroa Lodge is open for lunch. Another popular option if you don't want such a long walk is to take the Sea Shuttle north to Tonga Quarry arriving at 10.15am. You will then walk north to Awaroa taking around 2.25 hours and arrive in time for lunch. The Sea Shuttle then departs Awaroa at either 1pm or 2.45pm for your return trip to Kaiteriteri. (note the 1pm departure is seasonal from October - April). The 2.45pm departure operates all year round.
Medlands Beach to Anchorage - Self Guided
On this walk we departed on the 9am Sea Shuttle and travelled all the way north to Totoranui as our friend Carol had never been all the way to the top of the Abel Tasman National Park before. We got dropped at Medlands Beach at 11.30am. If you decide to get dropped off on the way north then you will arrive at Medlands Beach at 10am giving you considerably more time to walk south. It was a good 4 hour walk with a 20 minute lunch stop to Anchorage. You have a couple of options on this walk depending on the tide. We chose to take the long option taking in Cleopatra's Pool. This walk spends more time inland and less time on the coast so was our less preferable walk if you only have a couple of days.
Anchorage to Apple Tree Bay or Marahau
- Self Guided
On this particular adventure we chose to drive to Marahau and caught the Aqua Taxi boat to Anchorage. We took this option so that our car would be in Marahau for when we finished the walk plus we wanted to see what Aqua Taxi was all about.
If you want to use your Sea Shuttle Pass from Kaiteriteri then the logical option would be to catch the 9am Sea Shuttle north to Anchorage and walk south to Apple Tree Bay, or you can do this in reverse. The Anchorage to Apple Tree Bay walk is around 3 hours. If you are looking to add some walking and want to see more of the coastline then a side trip from Anchorage to Pitt Head is a great option and adds around 75 minutes to your walk. The Sea Shuttle will collect you from Apple Tree Bay at around 3.45pm for your return to Kaiteriteri. Between October - April you may choose the later boat from Kaiteriteri at 10.30am and get picked up at Apple Tree Bay at either 2pm or 3.45pm.
The following Slideshow was taken on our day trip where we drove to Marahau and caught the 9.30am water taxi to Anchorage to start our walk. The water taxi took about 40 minutes via Split Apple Rock to Anchorage. This walk took us around 4 hours with stops and covered 10.5km of direct walking but then we also took a couple of side tracks which added another 4km's. We arrived back at Marahau at 3.00pm. The track itself is in fantastic condition and there is only one real climb at the start. Make sure you take lunch with you. The water taxi to Anchorage from Marahau is $40 each. You will need to leave Kaiteriteri Retreat by 8.50am for the drive across to Marahau.
If you want to use your Sea Shuttle Pass from Kaiteriteri then the logical option would be to catch the 9am Sea Shuttle north to Anchorage and walk south to Apple Tree Bay, or you can do this in reverse. The Anchorage to Apple Tree Bay walk is around 3 hours. If you are looking to add some walking and want to see more of the coastline then a side trip from Anchorage to Pitt Head is a great option and adds around 75 minutes to your walk. The Sea Shuttle will collect you from Apple Tree Bay at around 3.45pm for your return to Kaiteriteri. Between October - April you may choose the later boat from Kaiteriteri at 10.30am and get picked up at Apple Tree Bay at either 2pm or 3.45pm.
The following Slideshow was taken on our day trip where we drove to Marahau and caught the 9.30am water taxi to Anchorage to start our walk. The water taxi took about 40 minutes via Split Apple Rock to Anchorage. This walk took us around 4 hours with stops and covered 10.5km of direct walking but then we also took a couple of side tracks which added another 4km's. We arrived back at Marahau at 3.00pm. The track itself is in fantastic condition and there is only one real climb at the start. Make sure you take lunch with you. The water taxi to Anchorage from Marahau is $40 each. You will need to leave Kaiteriteri Retreat by 8.50am for the drive across to Marahau.
As you can see there are lots of options. Most guests who stay at Kaiteriteri Retreat don't want to walk for a full 4 days and are happy to have just 1 or 2 days walking the park, time to rest and relax and also explore the many other attractions in the region.
Our recommended full day trips from Kaiteriteri are -
Full Day - 9am Sea Shuttle to Totaranui and get dropped at Awaroa on the way south. Walk south for collection at Medlands Beach - 4 hours walking returning to Kaiteriteri around 4.15pm. Make sure you take a boxed lunch, drink and snacks.
Full Day - 9am Sea Shuttle north to Anchorage. Take in the Pitt Head circuit walk - 75 minutes then walk south from Anchorage to Apple Tree Bay. The total distance is around 12km and will take a little over 4 hours. You will be collected from Apple Tree Bay by Sea Shuttle returning around 4pm. Make sure you take a boxed lunch, drink and snacks.
Full Day - Rest and Relax on the Beach. 9am Sea Shuttle north to Totaranui and get dropped off on the way south at either Awaroa or Anchorage for your Beach day. The Sea Shuttle returns to Kaiteriteri around 4pm. Between October - April the Awaroa lodge is open for lunch and beverages otherwise make sure you take a boxed lunch, drinks and snacks.
Half Day - 9am Sea Shuttle north to Anchorage. Take in the Pitt Head circuit walk - 75 minutes then connect with the Sea Shuttle again at 11.45 from Anchorage returning to Kaiteriteri at 12.30pm. Make sure you take a drink and some light snacks.
Half Day Cruise only - 9am Sea Shuttle north to Totaranui returning to Kaiteriteri at 12.30pm. This Cruise operates all year round. Between October - April there is also a 10.30am departure returning to Kaiteriteri around 2.10pm. Make sure you take a drink and some light snacks.
For all walks we recommend you wear good footwear. Cross Trainers are fine. Make sure you take layers of clothing especially in the cooler months. A day backpack is usually a good idea and easy to carry. Snacks, drinks and a hearty lunch is also a good idea for full day trips. During the warmer months a sun hat and sun protections is a good idea. Cell phone coverage is very patchy inside the National Park.
For any recommendations and advice don't hesitate to contact us.
Our recommended full day trips from Kaiteriteri are -
Full Day - 9am Sea Shuttle to Totaranui and get dropped at Awaroa on the way south. Walk south for collection at Medlands Beach - 4 hours walking returning to Kaiteriteri around 4.15pm. Make sure you take a boxed lunch, drink and snacks.
Full Day - 9am Sea Shuttle north to Anchorage. Take in the Pitt Head circuit walk - 75 minutes then walk south from Anchorage to Apple Tree Bay. The total distance is around 12km and will take a little over 4 hours. You will be collected from Apple Tree Bay by Sea Shuttle returning around 4pm. Make sure you take a boxed lunch, drink and snacks.
Full Day - Rest and Relax on the Beach. 9am Sea Shuttle north to Totaranui and get dropped off on the way south at either Awaroa or Anchorage for your Beach day. The Sea Shuttle returns to Kaiteriteri around 4pm. Between October - April the Awaroa lodge is open for lunch and beverages otherwise make sure you take a boxed lunch, drinks and snacks.
Half Day - 9am Sea Shuttle north to Anchorage. Take in the Pitt Head circuit walk - 75 minutes then connect with the Sea Shuttle again at 11.45 from Anchorage returning to Kaiteriteri at 12.30pm. Make sure you take a drink and some light snacks.
Half Day Cruise only - 9am Sea Shuttle north to Totaranui returning to Kaiteriteri at 12.30pm. This Cruise operates all year round. Between October - April there is also a 10.30am departure returning to Kaiteriteri around 2.10pm. Make sure you take a drink and some light snacks.
For all walks we recommend you wear good footwear. Cross Trainers are fine. Make sure you take layers of clothing especially in the cooler months. A day backpack is usually a good idea and easy to carry. Snacks, drinks and a hearty lunch is also a good idea for full day trips. During the warmer months a sun hat and sun protections is a good idea. Cell phone coverage is very patchy inside the National Park.
For any recommendations and advice don't hesitate to contact us.