Best of the Queen Charlotte & Abel Tasman Track Walk - 6 Days

6-Day Best of the Queen Charlotte & Abel Tasman Track Walk – A Pack Free Guided Walking Tour by Life’s An Adventure

Life’s An Adventure invites you to explore two of New Zealand’s most stunning coastal walks on this 6-day Pack Free guided walking tour, featuring the best sections of the Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman Tracks. Located at the top of the South Island, these iconic trails offer a blend of natural beauty, from ancient forests and fern-fringed coves to pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable walking holiday.

The tour begins with the Queen Charlotte Track, where boat transfers take you to the trail’s most scenic sections each day. Walk through ancient beech forests, along ridgelines with panoramic views of the Marlborough Sounds, and discover secluded coves and bays. The unique landscapes of this region, marked by lush greenery and stunning coastlines, provide a captivating experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Itinerary

Day One: Queen Charlotte Track - Walk Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge 17kms. 6 hours walking with breaks. Grade: Medium to hard. Elevation gain: 622m Note: Guests will be required to arrive at Picton the day before the tour starts. Picton can be reached by flying into Wellington and then either flying from Wellington to Picton (30-minute flight) or taking the ferry from Wellington to Picton (a 3-hour cruise through the Cook Straits). Suggestions for Picton Hotels are included in our pre-departure information.

Meet your guides at 7:30 am at London Quay Wharf Picton this morning. From here we join a scenic boat cruise to Ship Cove. Today we walk in the footsteps of explorer Captain James Cook. Walking through magnificent virgin rainforests, you will emerge at the ridgeline for breathtaking views of Cooks Strait and Resolution Bay before descending to the sheltered shoreline of Endeavor Inlet. From here we’ll make our way to the Furneaux Lodge where we’ll spend the next 2 nights. Enjoy time to relax in your suite soaking up the views, or take a swim in the Sound before meeting the group for a sensational a la carte dinner featuring local produce and superb Marlborough Sounds wines.

Day Two: Queen Charlotte Track - Walk Punga Cove to Furneaux Lodge 12kms. 4 hours walking with breaks. Grade: Medium. Elevation gain: 349m After a delicious breakfast we board the cruise again to take us to our walk from Punga Cove where we will traverse the coastline and walk back into our accommodation. Along todays walk, we’ll explore forests rich in small bird life. We start our gradual climb out of Camp Bay to Kenepuru Saddle, the track passes through native forest and traverses over low saddles offering amazing vantage points for the photographer. The last section of our walk tracks down to the water & straight back into our accommodation at the Furneaux Lodge. Enjoy time to relax in your room or simply soak up the views. Tonight, the group comes together for dinner in the restaurant served with New Zealand’s fine wines and delicious cuisine.

Day Three: Queen Charlotte Track - Walk Torea Bay to Lochmara Lodge - Celebratory Lunch - Nelson 7kms. 3 hours walking with breaks. Grade: Medium to hard. Elevation gain: 442m After breakfast, we travel by private water taxi from Furneaux Lodge to Torea Bay where where we’ll enjoy our walk to Lochmara Lodge. The track starts with a steep climb from the Torea Saddle to the highest point on the Queen Charlotte Track. The climb takes about 45 – 60 minutes. After a stop for morning tea and taking in the sensational views we’ll continue to follow the track to Lochmara Lodge. The views are magnificent, looking out over both the Kenepuru Sound and the Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy some time looking round the wild life centre at Lochmara Lodge before a celebratory lunch at the cafe at the Lodge. We will then join our water taxi through the Marlborough Sounds back to Picton. From here we head to the city of Nelson. Our accommodation tonight is at the stylish Rutherford Hotel. Enjoy time to relax before dinner in the Oceano Panorama Restaurant featuring a selection of modern cuisine including fabulous local seafood and wonderful local wines.

Day Four: Abel Tasman National Park - Walk from Bark Bay to Awaroa Inlet 13.5kms, 5hrs walking with breaks. Grade: Medium. Elevation gain: 348m After a hearty breakfast, we’ll transfer by minibus to the charming seaside town of Kaiteriteri. From here, we’ll board a boat and cruise along the breathtaking coastline of Abel Tasman National Park, soaking in views of crystal-clear aqua waters, secluded coves, and picturesque beaches.

Our journey continues as we disembark at the stunning Medlands Beach to begin today’s walk. From beautiful Bark Bay, the trail ascends through Manuka forested headlands, offering a glimpse of an old historical granite quarry along the way. The path then leads us to Onetahuti Bay, a spectacular beach framed by towering granite headlands and lush Punga ferns. At the end of the bay, we’ll cross a charming walkway and bridge before ascending to a ridgeline. Though today’s climbs reach up to 160 meters, the effort is rewarded with panoramic views of dense forests and pristine beaches below.

This afternoon, unwind and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation before rejoining the group for a delightful à la carte dinner at the Lodge restaurant. The menu features creative dishes crafted from local produce, perfectly paired with exquisite New Zealand wines.

Day Five: Abel Tasman National Park - Morning Kayak with the seals. Walk Local Awaroa tracks 3hrs paddling, 2hrs walking. Grade: Easy After breakfast, there is the option to kayak from the lodge on the stunning waters of this spectacular marine park. Local New Zealand fur seal colonies can often be seen frolicking in the waters on this journey, and it is one of the most memorable kayak tours of a lifetime. For those not wanting to join the kayak enjoy time to relax or enjoy a sleep in.

Lunch today will be enjoyed at the Harakeke Restaurant, where the menu features an array of organic herbs and seasonal vegetables grown onsite. Savor your meal while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding wetlands. After lunch, we’ll embark on an afternoon walk along the local Awaroa tracks. Along the way, your guide will provide insights into New Zealand’s diverse flora and fauna, enriching the experience with fascinating details about the natural environment. Tonight the group comes together for dinner in the restaurant served with New Zealand’s fine wines and modern creative cuisine.

Day Six: Abel Tasman National Park - Walk from Totaranui to Awaroa Inlet 7kms, 4hrs walking with breaks. Grade: Medium. Elevation gain: 282m Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before transferring by boat to reach the golden beach of Totaranui where we disembark to start our walk. We cross a stunning granite headland above Skinners Point to reach Goat Bay and then head on to pretty Waiharakeke bay, the track crosses a substantial headland to the north end of Awaroa inlet, the largest in Abel Tasman National Park and make our way back to the lodge where we collect our luggage. From here we join our boat transfer back to Kaiteriteri before joining our minibus back to Nelson arriving at approximately 6.45pm. The end of a remarkable journey.

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