If youre looking to go on an awesome raodtrip and meet new and likeminded people into travel, this is the company to hit up! The places you visit are amazing, the tour guides are really friendly and the friendships you make along this trip is just priceless! One of the best NZ roadtrips i have ever done!
$999.00 NZD
4 Day Abel Tasman Road Trip
Solo Travellers, Couples, & Friends
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!
Trip Details
The Particulars
Price
$999.00 NZD
You can secure your spot with a $99 deposit and pay the rest later! Check our Terms & Conditions for more details.
Meeting point
On day 1, you’ll meet us at 9 am in Nelson at Paradiso Backpackers
Tour finishes in Nelson at Paradiso Backpackers at 3pm on day 4.
Availability
- 6th January (SOLD OUT)
- 20th January
- 3rd February
- 17th February
- 3rd March
- 17th March
- 31st March
- 14th April
- 28th April
On the road
4 days, 3 nights
Accomodation type
Dorm share
Group size
Small groups of up to 12 people
Participation requirements
You must be 18+ years old to book
Included
- All accommodation
- All transport
- All activities (outlined on itinerary)
- All breakfasts
- All dinners
- One lunch on day 2
Not included
Flights to and from Nelson
What to bring
- We recommend a medium-sized bag for most of your stuff and 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
Tour staff
You will have 2 tour guides with you during your road trip with us. They will be your drivers, hosts, cooks, and new best mates!
Things to Look Forward to
Kayak around crystal clear bays
Walk the Abel Tasman Coast Track
Enjoy a day trip to Wharariki Beach
Hop on board a private sailing trip around the bays
Visit the iconic Split Apple Rock
Experience NZ wildlife and the famous 'Seal Colony'
Relax on numerous golden beaches
Leave your comfort zone and go canyoning (optional add on)
Explore lagoons, islands and Maori Pa (village) sites to learn about local history.
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 will be launching this summer and below is an example itinerary. Keep your eye out for updates as this tour will sell out quickly!
We kick off our adventure in Nelson at 9:00am from Paradiso Backpackers, before setting off through the picturesque Nelson region where we’ll stop at the ‘Centre of New Zealand’ for a cheeky look then make our way 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 where your guides will prepare a delicious dinner for you to wrap up the day. You will also have the opportunity to experience the Marahau Nightlife with your new crew!
Accommodation: Dorm share
Included activities: 4 hour exclusive yacht charter
Included meals: Dinner
Count yourself lucky as you completely immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park with a full day kayaking tour. Start out the day after breakfast by jumping aboard a water taxi to the beautiful Onetahutis. After exploring these golden sand beaches quickly we have a kayak briefing with one of your guides. With our double kayaks we launch into the lush seas of the Abel Tasman. On the way to our lunch spot you will encounter resident seals and explore the outstanding coastline, including the “arches of Tonga”. By midday, enjoy a delicious lunch and a barista style hot drink brewed up by your guide. Whilst at lunch, there is time to either swim, go for a short meander, or just relax in the sand and soak up the sun. In the arvo we will continue south along the coast, tides dependent, tucking into some beautiful lagoons, before landing at Anchorage, our final beach stop. Here we will reboard the water taxi and head back to our accommodation in Marahau. It is optional to walk back unguided on the famous coastal track if you’re up for it! Once everyone is back your guides will prepare another delicious dinner and enjoy the night with our new crew!
Accommodation: Dorm share
Included activities: Full day kayaking tour with instructor, gear rental and water taxi fees
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We start day 3 slightly later than the day before, to allow time for a sleep in and breakfast. Afterwards, for those who are interested in a day trip we will 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 ‘Muscle Inn’ serving fresh, wholesome food with beers and cider brewed on site. 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. Before we head back to Marahau where your guides will prepare the final dinner for the group we will make a stop at the iconic bar, the ‘Muscle Inn’ serving fresh, wholesome snacks, coffee and with beers and cider brewed on site.
Accommodation: Dorm share
Included activities: Optional day trip to visit Te Waikoropupu Springs and Wharariki Beach.
Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Optional extras: Hike in the national park (free) or try a full day of Abel Tasman Canyoning ($289)
It may be the last day but we aren’t finished yet! Start your day with big cooked breakfast and pack to leave our new home in Marahau. We head straight to the ‘Riuwaka Resurgence’ where your guides explain the cultural significance of this sacred place. Experience the beauty of the clear turquoise waters and lush native forest before 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. We have our last lunch here 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 activities: Visit Riuwaka Resurgence and Mapua Wharf
Included meals: Cooked Breakfast
Some Important Details
- Flights to Nelson are not included
- 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 7 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 7 days of the departure date.
- We recognise that our current tours may require flexibility around cancellations during this evolving global situation. As such, if your travel arrangement to the meetup zone has been affected due to COVID Alert level restrictions your tour purchase will be 100% refundable (excl. any credit card fees).
Yes, bring insect repellent or eat marmite 2 weeks prior.
Yes there is potential of getting slightly wet, and completely submerging in water.
Unfortunately not on this tour. We will be staying at an epic boutique hostel in Marahau.
Yes, bring along a rain jacket and an extra warm (wool/fleece) layer of clothing. Marine life is more active on rainy days.
We aim to spend 2-3 hours kayaking on day 2.
You can easily fit the equivalent of approximately two large packs full of equipment in the dry storage areas of a double sea kayak (at least 225L). This needs to be put inside large plastic bags to fit into the hatches.
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
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!
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!
I can’t recommend this trip enough! I was a little nervous to go on my own but the guide Jason made it so welcoming and fun! Meeting new people and ending the tour as friends was such a highlight!
