Product Description
(This program dovetails into The Ultimate NZ Southern Alps Trek with Mike Wood starting on 26th February 2022.)
New Zealand’s Abel Tasman is a coastal paradise famed for its pristine coastline, golden sands, turquoise‑blue seas fringed by lush native forest. Join Mike Wood on a stunning 5 day exploration deep into the National Park by foot, yacht and water taxi to discover some of the region’s highlights.
Departing from Christchurch, we’ll transfer to our accommodation in an exclusive eco lodge at the gateway of the park, offering panoramic views over the Kaiteriteri beach. Day walks will take us between small bays and beautiful bushland along the Abel Tasman Walkway, and we’ll sail around rocky headlands to spot wildlife including seals and penguins.
Back at our resort each night we can relax at the pool or indulge in the spa with a glass of wine and home cooked meals. Our journey then takes us inland across the Southern Alps via Lewis Pass for our final night at the thermal spa town of Hamner Springs. After a walk to a view point or a cycle in Hamner Forest, we will return to Christchurch with the option to stop
for a wine tasting at a renowned Wairapa vineyard.
This program dovetails into The Ultimate NZ Southern Alps Trek with Mike Wood starting on 26th February 2022.
About your local leaders
Our Guides are one of our biggest assets. We pride ourselves on the standard and quality of these great people who you will be spending your holiday with. They come from all walks of life but they all have a common desire to give you the best possible experience, heaps of fun and lots of fond memories to take home with you. We provide you with the services of two guides for many of our trips, (this may depend on the size of the group). All are certified in first aid and CPR and many are advanced mountain guides.
You can find out more about Group Leader, Mike Wood, here;
https://summittravel.com.au/mike-wood/
At a glance
DAY 1 CHRISTCHURCH TO KAITERITERI
DAY 2 ABEL TASMAN: WALK TO ANCHORAGE BAY & SAIL
DAY 3 ABEL TASMAN: WALK TOTORANUI TO ONETAHUTI BAY
DAY 4 KAITERITERI TO HANMER SPRINGS
DAY 5 HANMER SPRINGS TO CHRISTCHURCH
What’s included
Journey escorted by Mike Wood
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
3 nights eco lodge ensuite accommodation on a twin share basis
1 night motel on a twin share basis
Professional qualified driver/guide
Private vehicle transport
Water taxi transfer and sailing boat expedition in Abel Tasman National Park
Entrance to hot pools at Hanmer Springs
Wine tasting at Waipara Vineyard
Packs and poles (on request if required) ‑ please let our staff know in advance
Water and snacks while trekking
Concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
New Zealand Goods and Service Tax (GST)
What’s not included
International or domestic flights and taxes
Arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
All beverages, other than breakfast
itinerary
DAY 1 Christchurch to Kaiteriteri
We will collect you from a central city location in Christchurch around 08:00am
before we drive north towards the Southern Alps. We follow the scenic highway
6 through the mountains and over the Lewis Pass towards Springs Junction and
Murchison, before arriving at Kaiteriteri and the gateway of the Abel Tasman
National Park. Today is mainly a driving day, but we make some short stops to
stretch our legs and have refreshments. On arrival, we settle into our comfortable
eco lodge and take a walk through the gardens, or a dip in the pool before we meet
for our first group dinner.
*Please note you must arrive in Christchurch the day prior to Day 1
meals: L,D
DAY 2 Abel Tasman: Walk to Anchorage Bay & Sail
Today the famous Abel Tasman beckons and we enjoy a half day hike into
Anchorage Bay on the Abel Tasman walkway. The track sets away from Marahau
crossing the estuary using a causeway to Tinline Bay. Our footpath hugs the
coastline through the native bush and gives us glimpses out to sea. We continue
around Guilbert Point to Apple Tree Bay, and after Yellow Point it turns inland,
winding in and out of several little gullies before emerging in open country
overlooking the vast Rakauroa/Torrent Bay.
We relax on the beach with lunch overlooking Torrent Bay and then board our yacht
for an exciting afternoon sail around the heads. We can try our hand on deck to
catching the sea breeze and sail back through the best of the Abel Tasman coastline
via secluded beaches, bays and estuaries to Kaiteriteri. Returning to our resort we
can have a swim or spa and relax before dinner.
Walking Distance: Marahau to Anchorage 12km – 3 to 4 hours
meals: B,L,D
DAY 3 Abel Tasman: Walk Totoranui to Onetahuti Bay
This morning we transfer by vehicle over the Takaka Hill to Totoranui to discover the
lesser explored northern part of the Abel Tasman National Park. We set off from the
visitors centre on the edge of the vast golden beach. Our track heads into the bush to
a view point at Skinners Point, before crossing the sandy beach at Goat Bay. We have
to time the tides right to cross the wide Awaroa Inlet, before heading back into the forest and over the low Tonga Saddle to reach the beautifully curved sandy beach at
Onetahuti Bay. We enjoy a picnic lunch and have time to swim and relax before our
water taxi collects us in the early afternoon and return us to our lodge.
The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to relax for more walks on the beach,
or hire a bike from our hotel and later make our own dinner arrangements.
Walking Distance: Totoranui to Onetahuti Bay 14km – 3 to 4 hours
meals: B,L
DAY 4 Kaiteriteri to Hanmer Springs
This morning there is the option to try our hand paddling a waka (traditional Maori
canoe) in a early morning expedition taking us along the coast to the famous Split
Apple Rock. We will learn the etiquette (tikanga) associated with waka before
becoming familiar with the boat and embarking on our journey (haerenga). Others
might prefer a stroll on the beach or to embark on a morning of sea kayaking. Your
guides can assist making any bookings for this mornings activities. By midday we
set away and drive south back across the alps to Hanmer Springs, a thermal resort
nestled under the mountain ranges.
This evening we have a dip in the hot pools before meeting for dinner.
meals: B,L,D
DAY 5 Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
Today we have the choice of a challenging walk to the summit of Mt Isobel (1324
metres) for panoramic views of the Hanmer Basin and beyond, or the easier Conical
Hill for a stroll through the forest. Others might prefer to hire a mountain bike and
explore the trails of the Hanmer Forest (self-guided), revisit the hotpools or explore
the little town of Hanmer Springs. After lunch we set away on the return drive to
Christchurch, but not before stopping at one of the famous Waipara vineyards to
sample of some local produce, notably the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. We
will arrive back into Christchurch around 6-7pm where you will be delivered to your
central city hotel.
Walking Distance: Jacks Pass to Mt Isobel Rtn 6km – 3 hours
meals: B,L
This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control.
