New Zealand

ABEL TASMAN FIVE DAY GUIDED WALK

DAY ONE- Nelson/Motueka/Kaiteriteri/Totaranui/(Anapai)/Awaroa- We will pick you up from Nelson (7.30am) or Motueka (8.30am).At our Motueka office you will be fully briefed and given your complimentary lunch and day pack. Excess luggage and cars can be left in safe storage. - No heavypacks are required, as we take your overnight luggage to each lodge by boat. The coastline cruise from Kaiteriteri aboard one of our launches is stunning, and our crew will provide a personal commentary on historical and geographical highlights. At Totaranui you walk north to Anapai Bay - or further if you are energetic before returning to the Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa. Approximate walking time: Four hours

DAY TWO - Explore Awaroa. This day. can be as relaxing or as energetic as you like. Take advantage of the largest tidal estuary in the Abel Tasman National Park. Explore it by canoe or on foot, visiting the various early European and pre-European sites with a guide, or just unwind on the beach. Approximate time for walks: Up to four hours

DAY THREE - Awaroa/Torrent Bay. Leave Awaroa and walk over the Tonga Saddle. At Tonga Quarry your guide will give you the history of this abandoned granite quarry, pointing out some of the relics still to be found there. If the tide is right, you can view the granite archways formed by the sea. Stop for lunch at Bark Bay and take time out to relax, explore, swim in the crystal clear lagoon, or sunbathe on the golden sand. Then it's on through native forests to Falls River. Enjoy a succession of magnificent views of headlands, esutaries and beaches, and continue on to our other beachfront lodge at Torrent Bay. Approximate walking time: Five hours

DAY FOUR- Explore Torrent Bay. A day of choices! Our guides offer a wonderful walk inland among breathtaking first generation forests, up to the waterfalls on Falls River. Or, after a little tuition, take advantage of our canoes and explore the Torrent Bay estuary. There are many other beautiful short walks available, the choice is yours! Stay another night at Torrent Bay Lodge. Approximate time for walks: Up to four hours.

DAY FIVE - Torrent Bay/Marahau. On the final day of your Abel Tasman walk, you continue south, with only one hill at the start. The final section of the track is well graded and weaves in and out of the coastline. This area boasts many little bays in which French explorer Dumont D'urville spent time exploring in 1827. Many of the names in the area relate to this expedition. Stop for lunch at any one of the bays, then walk the last leg to Marahau. Here you will be met by coach and returned to. Motueka (4.30pm) or Nelson (5.30pm). Approximate walking time: Four hours

IF T1ME IS SHORT - join our three day walk - the same itinerary as the five day walk, minus days two and four, or explore the coast by sea kayak. (see the Three Day Kayaking/Trekking Trip below).

THREE DAY KAYAKING/TREKKING TRIP

DAY 1- Kayaking: Marahau/Torrent Bay. We will pick you up from Nelson (7.30am) or Motueka (8.30am). At our Motueka office you will be fully briefed and given your complimentary lunch and day pack. Excess luggage and cars can be left in safe storage.
Then onto Marahau where your guide will introduce you to your stable double kayak. You'll have a full training session before spending the rest of the day beach- hopping to Torrent Bay, the site of our Lodge on the beach, in what must be one of the most perfect little bays in the world.

DAY TWO - Kayaking: Torrent Bay/Tonga..Walking: Tonga/Awaroa . Explore the beautiful beaches, tidal estuaries and rivers of the best kayaking area of the park. In the right conditions you can also visit the seat colony on Tonga Island. At Tonga, walk to the Meadowbank Homestead- Awaroa where quality twin rooms with en 'suites, and meals prepared by the resident host await you. 1 Approximate time: 3 hours paddling, An hour and a half walking

DAY THREE Walking: Awaroa/Totaranui...Launch Cruise: Totaranui/Kaiferiteri- You have the option of exploring the Awaroa inlet or walking to Totaranui. Either way, you join our launch cruise to return to Kaiteriteri. Here you will be met by coach and returned to Motueka (4.30pm)or Nelson (5.30pm), Approximate time: Two hours walking

3 & 5 Day Abel Tasman Guided Walks

till Sept. 30 2008
5 Day / 4 Night: Adult $NZ 1545 Child $NZ 1080
3 Day / 2 Night: Adult $NZ 1050 Child $NZ 835

3 Day Trips Start: Monday (Southbound), Wednesday and Saturday (Northbound)
5 Day Trips Start: Tuesday and Friday (Southbound)

Note: on 5 day hiking/kayaking option no children allowed
Note: on 3 day hiking itinerary children 8-14 years old are allowed

5 Day Kayak and Trek - $NZ1545. Departs Tuesdays and Fridays (Southbound)

3 Day Kayak and Trek - $NZ1050. Monday (Southbound) Wednesday and Saturday (Northbound)

No child rate for Kayaking Trips - minimum age 12 years . For hikes, child rate is for 8-14 year olds

Single Room Supplement is an additional 60% of the above prices.

......Hiking & Fitness
Keep in mind that walking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of our scheduled ferry services. Please discuss this option with your guide prior to each day's departure. This flexibility is perfect for couples or groups that want to visit the park, some preferring to walk, others to take the boat between lodges.

......Guides & Safety
All our guides must have current First Aid qualifications and Sea Kayak guides must hold a New Zealand recognised sea kayaking qualification. Each guide brings his or her unique personality and history to the job.

......Transport
You will be picked up at your accommodation in either Nelson or Motueka and driven by coach to the start of the hike or launch cruise (either Marahau or Kaiteriteri) and be returned to your accommodation at the end of your hike. It is possible to leave your own vehicle at the Motueka office. While on the Abel Tasman Track, on days you don't want to walk there is always the option of being picked up by launch and taken to your next stop.

......Food
From morning tea on Day 1 to lunch on your final day, all meals are included: full breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, packed lunch and three course dinners. Local beers and wines are available to purchase at the lodge (a bar tab is run for you, so there is no need to carry money).

......Accommodation
Accommodation is in the park's only beachfront lodges, providing twin room accommodation with ensuites (each lodge has 11 twin rooms). Sitting on the edge of a golden beach, Torrent Bay Lodge has been the Wilson family (your hosts) holiday home for over 30 years. Their home has been continually extended and remodelled to be shared with visitors. The latest upgrade provides private rooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, for 22 travellers. This realises a dream of 20 years - to provide one of New Zealand's best outdoor experiences.

In 1884 William Hadfield built the original two-storeyed home, Meadowbank, on the best site in the bay in order to catch the stunning panoramic views and the all-year-round sun. One hundred and ten years later, his great grand daughter, Lyn Wilson, and her family built a replica homestead on the same site. It is set amongst the original camellia and rhododendron trees, which were bought from England as a memory of a homeland left behind. The character of Meadowbank has been brought back to life through the extensive use of period windows, doors and timbers, yet all the conveniences of today have been included. Meadowbank Homestead - Awaroa is filled with memories of the earlier homestead, Meadowbank. Eleven comfortable twin rooms with ensuites have been named after William, Adele and their children, and features photographs of them as they grew up.

Pre and post track accommodation is required in Nelson. We can book this for you or you can book yourself.