7 DAY ITINERARY IN ABEL TASMAN,GOLDEN BAY, NEW ZEALAND

Is a week enough to time visit the South Island, New Zealand?

I get this question a lot!

Yes, if you are a couple or a family and want a little adventure exploring nature, beautiful scenery, delicious food, and sensational beaches. Where should I stay and what should we do, you might ask?  We have some advice to share, so let us play it out for you!

Contact us to design your custom vacation. Wed love to design a unique itinerary or just book the one below for your small group.  We are here to help make your vacation incredible.

7 Days in Abel Tasman / Golden Bay Area

The Golden Bay/Abel Tasman area is truly a gem of the South Island, New Zealand. This custom itinerary offers adventure on the water and on trails, relaxation, stunning scenery, delightful food, and exquisite beaches.

(2 Days) Spend sometime in the small seaside town of Kaiteriteri that offers adventures big and small. Enjoy sunset walks on Little Kaiteriteri Beach, a day of sea kayaking, sailing or hike to split apple rock.  If mountain biking is your thing, you can spend a day at the Kaiteriteri mountain bike park or we will plan a self-guided or guided multi-day Taste Tour of local cuisine, wineries, arts and incredible landscapes around the area. 

The Treehouse is a mid-range place to stay. It’s a 13-minute walk from Breaker Bay Beach and 0.9 miles from Honeymoon Bay Beach, in an area where fishing can be enjoyed.  3 bedrooms/2 bath and fully equipped kitchen. It really feels like you are staying in a Treehouse. 

A quick stop for coffee and a plant-based snack at the Mermaids Beach House (Oct-April). Great pancakes!

(2 Days) See Abel Tasman National Park by Sea. Marahau is the launching point to hikes and kayak tours for the Abel Tasman National Park.  Marahau is a: 15-minute curvy, mountainous drive from Kaiteriteri. We highly recommend planning a multi-day kayak tour of the Abel Tasman National Park. In our opinion, there is no better way to see this amazing place.

(2 Days) Enjoy delicious plant-based and meat lover’s delight coupled with music, dancing and the arts in Takaka, New Zealand. You will venture over the legendary and adventurous Takaka Hill into the heart of Golden Bay.  (:45 from Abel Tasman).

Takaka is one of my favorite towns on the South Island! It has a super artsy and active vibe.  There is a museum and movie theatre, and during the high season, music, and activities are almost nightly. Visit Dangerous Cafe for lunch and then jet off to see Te Waikoropupu Spring (the largest freshwater spring) or hike to Wainui Falls.

So unique lodging options! Golden Bay Hideaway has five distinctive accommodations options available, including Little Greenie, Kiwi Greenie, The House Truck, Tiny Greenie and Hippie House. All units are set among native bush and an array of activities such as hiking, cycling and water-sports are offered in the area.

(1 Day) One day will be spent exploring the very tip of the South Island. Wharariki Beach is the longest sand spit and a nature reserve. The reserve is known for its seal breeding and ninety (90) bird species have been recorded in the area. The wind shifts the dunes around the incredible rock formations and the sea creates small pools and rivers. The 20 minutes hike takes you through rolling, green sheep pastures, dense rainforest and opens up to a breathtaking ocean vista.  (1-hour drive from Takaka)

Now lets put this all together: spending a couple days in Kaiteriteri; a half-day mountain biking and a half-day relaxing on the beach or hiking: a couple of days on a kayak tour of Abel Tasman, then relaxing in Takaka, seaside, with a relaxing half-day hike to a waterfall then lunch on a sunny patio and dancing in the evening (if you have the energy). How about a massage? And visit the legendary Wharariki Beach on the last day of this incredible trip.

Sounds pretty incredible, huh?

Many people have asked for a cost break down of this itinerary.  Our cost for this 7 Day Tour (2019) was approx. $315 for two adults per day.  This cost included accommodations, tours, logistics (transportation), and one large meal a day.

Let New Zealand Travel Solved plan your next South Island adventure. You tell us your ideal adventure, your dates, and activity level and we’ll do all the research, share our recommendations and book the adventure of your dreams.