Queen Charlotte and Abel Tasman Hike

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Christchurch to Picton

   You will be collected from a central city location in Christchurch around 08:00am before driving north to Kaikoura taking approx 2.5 hours. The drive is scenic and your arrival is timed for lunch and then a walk on the Kaikoura peninsula walkway. This will take approximately 1.5 -2 hours before you continue the drive to reach Picton, a further 2 hours away and a final short walk to stretch your legs.

   Drive to Picton (2 hours) and short bush walk. Walk time: 1.5 - 2 hours
   

   • Accommodation in Picton
   • Lunch and Dinner
2. Day 2Picton - Queen Charlotte track - Picton

   The nearby Queen Charlotte track is a spectacular ridge-top walk above the Sounds. You will access this via return water taxi and a short climb to the track, from where you will spend the rest of the day weaving down through native bush with glimpses into the many bays below.

   From Te Mahia saddle on the Queen Charlotte track, you will gradually descend on the walkway to Anakiwa for the return journey to Picton by water taxi.

   Walking time: 4 - 6.5 hours
   

   • Accommodation in Picton
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Picton to Eco Lodge

   Your next two-day trek starts out of a secluded bay and involves firstly a scenic drive around the head of the sound and then a backcountry road, to arrive at the start of the track. The old logging trail was cut through the native bush and offers a beautiful benched trail that weaves through regenerating native and exotic forests, steadily rising to a saddle where you will break for a picnic lunch.

   From here you will gradually descend into the next Bay and overnight stay at the Lodge. The rest of the afternoon provides a great opportunity to relax on the couches on the porch or to explore the walking tracks and native bush.

   Walking time: 3 - 4 hours
   

   • On the Track Lodge, Nydia Bay
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     On the Track Lodge, Nydia Bay

     Spend the third night here, at this delightful eco-lodge nestled into lush surrounds

   • 

     On the Track Lodge, Nydia Bay

     Spend the third night here, at this delightful eco-lodge nestled into lush surrounds

   • 

     On the Track Lodge, Nydia Bay

     Spend the third night here, at this delightful eco-lodge nestled into lush surrounds

4. Day 4Eco Lodge to Motueka

   After a hearty breakfast, you will pack and depart the beautiful accommodation, and follow the trail that weaves through virgin bush and beachfront. The trail then steadily climbs to a low saddle, and eventually descends to the neighbouring bay and around the shoreline to the waiting coach.

   Time dependant, you can explore and swim before the mid-afternoon departure out to Nelson and onto Motueka and your accommodation for the next two nights.

   Walking time: 4 - 4.5 hours
   

   • Accommodation in Motueka
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Motueka - Abel Tasman track - Motueka

   Today you will drive down to the start of the Abel Tasman track and have a half-day hike into Torrent Bay on the famous Abel Tasman walkway. The track is well-formed and drops into several sheltered bays and beaches. At midday, you will have lunch overlooking Torrent Bay and then meet the return yacht for an exciting sail around the heads and back to the coach and then to your accommodation.

   Walking time: 3 - 4 hours
   

   • Accommodation in Motueka
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Relax and take a ride on a yacht

     See Abel Tasman National Park from a different perspective as you enjoy a boat ride

6. Day 6Motueka to St Arnaud

   Leaving Moteuka you will have a short 1-hour drive inland into the Nelson Lake National Park and at St Arnaud, you will have a choice of a shorter 2-hour loop in the Lake Rotoiti Nature Recovery area or a 5 hr circuit to the upper slopes of Mt Roberts. This track climbs steeply to the bushline and the summit of the ridgeline with awesome views over the lake & St Arnaud range, before returning via a loop track back to the coach and your accommodation. The bush is stunning and Lake Rotoiti a magic location.

   Walking options: 2 hours or 5 hours
   

   • Accommodation in St Arnaud
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Lake Rotoiti Trekking

     Choose your walk today, all guaranteeing magnificent views

7. Day 7St Arnaud to Christchurch

   Intensive pest eradication has meant native bird numbers are increasing in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Early risers this morning will have the chance to take a short bushwalk and experience the morning songs of the forest or “dawn chorus.” You will then drive via the spectacular Buller Gorge and Lewis Pass to Hanmer, where you will detour to Jacks Pass and hike via the subalpine scrub and open grassland to the summit of Mt Isobel (1324 metres) for panoramic views of the Hanmer Basin and beyond.

   Late afternoon you will return to Christchurch to be dropped off in central Christchurch around 6-7pm.

   Walking time: 3 hours
   

   • Breakfast and Lunch