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Abel Tasman | Kahurangi | Nelson Lakes
Epic coastal views and golden sand beaches!
Enjoy the golden sands of our smallest National Park by land and by sea. Keep a look out for dolphins & little blue penguins from our comfortable catamaran as we cruise up the coast of Abel Tasman National Park.
Hopping off the boat at Medlands beach, we’ll take our time walking the best of the Abel Tasman track through regenerating native bush featuring Kanuka, tree ferns and old stands of Rimu and Beech.
We’ll take in beautiful views of golden-sand beaches and rugged granite coastline, crossing the Falls River suspension bridge before stopping for a lunch break at Torrent Bay.
Depending on time and tides we have several options in the afternoon as we make our way south to Anchorage. Cleopatra’s Pool is just 500m off the main track, approached by following a beautiful boulder filled forest stream, these beautiful natural pools are an excellent summer stop. If you’re brave enough for a swim have a go on the natural water slide, the water is cold but very refreshing!
If time allows, a walk to Te Puketea bay is well worth it, this stunningly beautiful beach is regarded as the jewel in the Abel Tasman’s crown! It’s also a great place for another quick dip!
We’ll cruise back to Kaiteriteri via the New Zealand Fur Seal colony on predator free Adele Island.
Get ready for a day of outstanding views across the top of the South Island!
Kahurangi, meaning ‘treasured possession’, is New Zealand’s second largest national park. Being home to the Mt Arthur range it features some of our oldest rocks, most extensive cave systems, craziest plants and several of our rarest birds.
The access road to Mount Arthur – the second highest mountain in Kahurangi National Park – climbs to almost 1,000 metres, leading us to the start of our hike. The views on the drive alone are awesome.
The walk starts with a gentle hike through towering beech forest as we climb towards the tree line. During the morning an ever improving and diverse birdlife becomes apparent, often with Kea, Weka, Bellbirds, the tiny Rifleman, Tomtit and the fearless Bush Robin entertaining us.
Mid-way up, the forest changes dramatically as we cross a mineral belt, into predominantly dragon trees and mountain neinei, the beech tree’s here look like Bonzai! This is a hugely interesting forest and quite from another world!
Emerging above the beech forest, giant granite slabs are reached offering spectacular 360 degree views and an abundance of alpine plants, a great place for lunch! The afternoon brings a relaxed return walk.
Big mountains, stunning alpine lakes!
Today we’ll take a scenic drive south to the alpine village of St Arnaud to walk the length of Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park. During the Ice Age, massive glaciers gouged out basins in the mountainous headwaters of the Buller River to form a series of alpine lakes.
Our boat ride takes us past Whiskey Falls on the way to the Travers Valley at the southern end of the lake, and the start of our hike. We’ll take a short walk along the valley floor to Lake Head Hut for a cuppa. The trail from here back to St Arnaud was formed by early farmers droving their stock to market.
The steep, craggy and bare-faced mountains and shingle fans lend a dramatic atmosphere to the park but at their base near the lake we take a gentle walk from Lake Head through beautiful beech forest. The excellent work to eradicate pests, makes this the perfect place to see conservation in action, Kea, Kiwi and native ducks all call this place home.
You will experience the vivid birdsong and the rejuvenated forest understory returning to its pre-European condition that has allowed the re-introduction of Kiwi & Kaka and improved the breeding conditions of Robins, Tomtits and Rifleman, New Zealand’s smallest bird.
Inclusions:
*Minimum of two people for the guided walks to go ahead, please check availability.
*Order of days may vary.
