I have experienced both the 10 day South Island adventure and the 4 day Abel Tasman getaway, and both while being different vibes were as amazing as each other!
$1099.00 NZD
Nelson > Nelson
From November - May
Experience it all with our 4 day Abel Tasman Getaway tour
Completely immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park. Everyone from solo travellers to couples and small groups of friends are welcome, so join your new group of mates and enjoy sharing the outdoors kayaking, sailing, swimming, and more together. Spots sell out quickly, so book now to avoid disappointment!
Like this but want more? Take the plunge & extend your trip into Lower South Island!
Trip Details
The Particulars
Price
$1099.00 NZD
You can secure your spot with a $99 deposit and pay the remaining balance 30 days prior to your tour departure!
See our Terms & Conditions for more details.
Meeting point
On day 1, you’ll meet us at 9 am in Nelson at Bridge Backpackers.
On day 4, the tour finishes at 3pm in Nelson
On the road
4 days, 3 nights
Accommodation
Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Group size
Small groups of up to 12 people
Participation
You must be 18+ years old to book
Tour staff
You will have a local tour guide with you during your road trip with us. They will be your driver, host, cook, and new best mate!
Availability
2023 dates
- 5th April – 8th April – filling up fast! – 15% off use promo code ‘HELLONZ’ at checkout
- 26th April – 29th April – filling up fast! – 15% off use promo code ‘HELLONZ’ at checkout
Extended Package
You can extend your trip by adding our 10 Day South Island Explorer starting 10 days before this tour begins
Check out our 14 Day Southern Adventure for this package
Things to Look Forward to
Tasty continental breakfasts every day + 1 BBQ Dinner
3 nights in dorm share hostel accommodation
Comfortable mini-bus transport & Passionate local kiwi guides
Learn to paddle a waka (Māori war canoe) along the Abel Tasman coastline
Visit the iconic split apple rock & experience NZ wildlife and the famous 'Seal Colony'
Sail on a private yacht charter around the National Park
Take a full day to play in the coastal paradise of Abel Tasman National Park
Enjoy a day trip to Golden Bay and visit the famous Wharariki beach
Tick off the Abel Tasman Coastal walk off your hike bucket list!
Visit the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand ( Te Waikoropupū Springs)
Abel Tasman Itinerary 4 Days
New Zealand’s smallest but most popular national park, the Abel Tasman is a truly remarkable place to tick off the bucket list.
We kick off our adventure in Nelson at 9:00am from Bridge Backpackers, before setting off through the picturesque Nelson region. We then make our way Motueka Town for a snacks and supermarket shop then off to the beautiful golden sand Kaiteriteri Beach for lunch. After we embark on an exclusive sailing trip around the surrounding bays of the Abel Tasman National Park. We have chartered the boat just for our group, so this is the perfect opportunity to share a drink and get to know your fellow road-trippers. After the sailing trip, we head back to the accommodation to relax and find a good spot for dinner! You will also have the opportunity to experience the Marahau Nightlife with your new crew!
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included activities: Exclusive yacht charter around the Abel Tasman
Count yourself lucky as you completely immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park with a free day to explore how you like! For those who want to tick off one of the great walks in NZ you can do this today! Get your legs ready and walk the famous ‘Abel Tasman Coastal Walk’, for those more adventurous we can help organise a freedom kayak rental or a guided kayaking tour (highly recommend) to encounter resident seals and explore the outstanding coastlines, golden sand beaches and beautiful lagoons. For the adrenaline junkies you have the opportunity to Sky dive up to 20,000 ft! Or try the Torrent River canyoning adventure in the Abel Tasman, simply because it has it all. Jumps, slides, floats, abseils, you name it……Torrent’s got it. All this exciting stuff takes place in a gorgeous granite canyon filled with some of the purest water you can find and wrapped in mind-blowing, unspoiled rain forest. After your epic free day, your guides will prepare a delicious BBQ dinner for the group!
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast and BBQ Dinner
Optional extras:
- Hike in the national park (free),
- Freedom Kayak Rental ($75),
- Guided Full day Kayak Tours ($150-250),
- Torrent River Canyoning ($295) ,
- Abel Tasman Skydive ($289-$599)
We start day 3 slightly later than the day before, to allow time for a sleep in and a late breakfast. Afterwards, we head straight for Te Waikoropupu Springs, where your guides explain the cultural significance of the largest freshwater springs in NZ. We allow some time to take in the beauty and magic of this special place. We then stop for lunch in the heart of Golden Bay, at the local ‘Courthouse Cafe’ for delicious food and coffee. After this we spend the rest of our Saturday at Wharariki Beach. Undoubtedly one of the most photographed beaches in the Nelson Tasman region. The scenery here easily rivals the recognised wonders of the world, enjoy exploring this wondrous coastal playground. If we have time we will stop at the iconic ‘Muscle Inn’ serving fresh, wholesome snacks with beers and cider brewed on site, and stop at a supermarket so you can grab food for dinner tonight!
Accommodation: Multi-share hostel with shared facilities
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:
- Visit Te Waikoropupu Springs
- Experience the famous ‘Wharariki Beach’
- Road trip to Golden Bay
It may be the last day but we aren’t finished yet! We start our day very early with breakfast and pack to leave our new home in Marahau. We head straight to Kaiteriteri beach and share the magic of a NZ sunrise and Waka (Māori canoe) activity! Waka are the living expression of our tūpuna (ancestors) who sailed the Pacific Ocean for thousands of years. As the only form of transport across oceans and waterways, waka were vital to our travel and trade. We honour Te Rā (the sun) and the timatanga (begining) from the moana (ocean). This is a special experience when no one else is around private sunrise. After we make our way to Mapua Wharf, one of Nelson Tasman’s most popular dining, shopping and recreation attractions, overlooking the picturesque Waimea Estuary. You’ll find adventurous souls jumping from the wharf into the tidal current below. You can choose somewhere to grab lunch as a group before making the final leg of the journey back to Nelson city centre. We will be able to drop guests off at Nelson Airport at 3pm at the latest so if you are booking flights this day please make sure they are departing after 4pm.
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities:
- Waka (Māori canoe) sunrise trip
- Free time at Mapua Wharf
Some Important Details
COVID restrictions/changes or cancellations to your booking
- All cancellations of bookings by you must be made in writing. We will not regard a booking as cancelled unless an email written notice has been received by us from you.
- Cancellation can only be made up to 14 days before the departure of your tour. Once the cancellation is accepted a refund of the total ticket price (minus the $99 deposit) will be paid to you. The refundable portion does not include the non-refundable $99 deposit.
- No refunds will be available for cancellations within 14 days of the departure date.
- For more details about COVID-19 within New Zealand please check out our COVID-19 Policies page
What to bring:
- We recommend a medium-sized bag for most of your stuff
- a small day bag to keep with you in the van where you can keep water, snacks, a camera, and an extra layer handy.
- Sun smart things (hat, glasses, sunscreen) because it is ‘Sunny Nelson’ after all.
- New Zealand weather can be unpredictable, so make sure you bring swimwear and a towel, as well as warm clothes and a rain jacket
- Check our ‘Packing List’ for more details about What to Bring.
Yes, bring insect repellent or eat marmite 2 weeks prior.
Unfortunately not on this tour. We will be staying at an epic boutique hostel in Marahau.
A minimal level of fitness is required for our tours and sea kayaking trips. The pace is always adjusted to suit the group and we have frequent comfort stops. Guides instruct clients on easy ways to paddle and you will rapidly develop your skills. Enthusiasm is more important than fitness.
For walking the track, firm footwear is required, but boots are not essential, walking sandals or sports shoes are fine.
Some Lovely Words From Past Roadies
Abel Tasman was my second Backyard Roadies experience and just like the South Island tour, it was INCREDIBLE. I got to see another stunning piece of New Zealand I hadn’t before, sail, swim, kayak, meet incredible people and reunite with others, make new friends and just have an epic time!
My sister and I did the 4 day Abel Tasman getaway and we honestly had the most incredible time! All of the guides were phenomenal in making sure it was a trip to remember! We’re already thinking about signing up for another one.
Fantastic experience and worth every cent. Jason has very in depth knowledge on all the spots and will take you to a number of different locations you probably wouldn’t normally go to. Thoroughly recommend it for anyone considering it!
Isaac and Jason really were able to capture the essence and beauty of the land, keeping it wholesome, epically fun and adventurous! Definitely recommend Backyard Roadies!
