Glorious Golden Bay , Farewell Spit And Abel Tasman Lodges

Itinerary

**Sorry Twinshare accommodation only

Moderate Fitness Required

DAY ONE L ,D 

With pick-Up complete we then head to Tauranga airport to begin our journey to Nelson. On arrival it will be time for lunch, so we will be whisked away to a local Café to devour some delicious wholesome food before heading to our first activity for the day – Nelson Provincial Museum.  This museum is located in the heart of the city and is home to many of the region’s special treasures.  The Regional Gallery leads visitors through an exploration of the rich and natural history of the region.  The Upper gallery is home to touring exhibitions therefore we will have to wait and see what is on offer when we arrive.  Do not forget to look through the lovely gift shop too. The museum shop features a curated collection of Kiwi-made products, arty objects and much more.  After all of this browsing we will board the bus and head to Trailways Hotel for a rest before dining in the onsite restaurant next to the river. 

DAY TWO B, MT, L, D 

Our day begins with a delicious breakfast before packing our bags and heading to Hoglund Glass Studio and Gallery. The Hoglund family create stunning glass pieces for customers around the world and welcome you to their glass-blowing studio for a talk and demonstration on how they craft their glass masterpieces.  As you browse around the gallery, it will be hard to resist buying the incredible handcrafted works of art and jewellery for sale. Next, we jump on to State Highway 60 and head toward Motueka for a scrumptious morning tea stop at Toad Hall.  Here we will devour some delicious home-made food and take in the atmosphere of this old schoolhouse. All aboard the bus and it is off to Riwaka River Estate Wine and Olives. This is the perfect place for a wine and olive tasting experience.  Enjoy the tranquillity of the surrounding area. As we head into the Kahurangi National Park, we stop to enjoy the stunning view at Hawkes Lookout before heading to our lunchtime destination – The Woolshed Canaan. Located on the Takaka Hill, it offers the perfect stop to nourish our bodies and browse through the woolen products before continuing our journey. Our next stop at Ngarua Caves will surely delight.  Here we will discover the stunning limestone caves with an extensive variety of stalagmites and stalactites and the odd extinct moa! A steep ladder is our exit out of the caves, so if you are feeling a little anxious about the climb, then you will be able to enjoy a visual presentation instead. Next, it is on to our home away from home for the next few nights at Mohua Motel. Enjoy the relaxed surroundings and freshen up for dinner at one of the local restaurants before retiring for the evening ready for another great day. 

DAY THREE  B, L, D 

Today you will enjoy breakfast in your motel unit before heading off for our busy day.  A quick stop for morning tea and then we are on our way to Salisbury Falls, these beautiful waterfalls can be found in the Aorere River in Golden Bay. You may find people swimming at the base of the waterfall or sunbathing on the rocks above. Devils Boot is our next quick stop where you will be able to see the interesting lime rock formations that look like two enormous, Upside-down gumboots. There is something for everyone today! Our next destination is the lovely Sue Dasler Pottery Studio and Gallery. Take your time to browse through the timeless handcrafted and decorated tableware with its simple form and detail, designed for everyday use. When you have finished browsing you can walk next-door to the Courthouse Café for a delicious lunch. This café is known as the ‘Coolest little café in Collingwood’ and the perfect place to be nourished, ready for the afternoon. For those who are interested, we will make a short stop at The Flyfishers Wife Shop where you will be able to enjoy the gifts, homewares, and fly-fishing products on offer. Now it is time to join the Farewell Spit Eco Tour for the most popular attraction in Golden Bay.  We head north on their uniquely designed bus to the reserve entrance and begin our journey onto the sand spit. It is the longest sand spit in New Zealand with a diverse ecosystem and breath-taking views, you might even spot a seal. We will enjoy a scrumptious picnic dinner and continue with the tour before heading back to our accommodation for a restful sleep.  

DAY FOUR  B, L, D 

This morning you can have a sleep-in and enjoy breakfast in your motel unit before heading out for today’s adventure. There is something quite magical at our first stop of the day – Te Waikoropupu Springs – otherwise known as Pupu Springs. An easy 20-minute walk under the canopy of manuka and kanuka takes us over bridges and across boardwalks to a viewing platform overlooking the clear waters. These stunning freshwater springs are the largest cold-water springs in the Southern Hemisphere and contain some of the clearest water ever measured. They are simply magnificent and considered a taonga (treasure) by local Māori! After our walk we will be ready to devour something delicious at The Wholemeal Café before taking some time to stroll through the eclectic shops Tākaka has to offer.  Then it is back on the bus for our short drive to Earthsea Gallery to enjoy the works of artist Peter Geen. The gallery displays Peter’s original paintings of the land and sea.  You won’t find any man-made modifications in his paintings.  Now it’s time to head to our final destination for the afternoon - Labyrinth Rocks.  The limestone canyons, native bush and maze-like pathways weaving through the rocky outcrops makes for a fascinating stroll and a lovely way to complete our day before heading back to the motel for a quick freshen up.  Before tonight’s dinner we make our way to Kiwi Spirit Distillery Cellar Door.  Here we will be educated on their fine gin, whisky, vodka, and liqueurs all made from the aquifers flowing beneath the distillery, before heading to dinner at the tranquil Ratanui Lodge.  

DAY FIVE  B ,MT,L,D 

A new adventure begins today!  We enjoy breakfast in our motel room before departing from our accommodation.  A quick stop for morning tea at Mr and Mrs Smith’s Café and Vegetables, then it is on to Motueka to board our Abel Tasman cruise.  Abel Tasman is New Zealand’s smallest National Park, and the perfect place to enjoy some of New Zealand’s stunning wildlife.  After some last-minute luggage organisation, we can relax and enjoy the two-hour cruise from Kaiteriteri along the spectacular granite coast to Totaranu, with a pause to view the seals at Tonga Island.  Exploring the coast by land, we then enjoy a two hour walk through the northern forests of the park with magnificent specimens of nikau palm and rata.  At the Awaroa inlet we can either walk, if the tide is out, or take a boat ride across the expanse of the largest tidal estuary in the park.  You will be ready to enjoy a restful evening as you approach our accommodation for the evening – Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa.  Discover a personal history of British settlement, at this beautiful homestead, built on the finest site in the bay.  Take in the beautiful surroundings as you devour delicious flavours and discuss your magical day. 

 DAY SIX  B ,MT ,L ,D 

Breakfast will be arranged in your motel unit and then it is time to put your walking shoes on and get ready for a day exploring on foot.  You choose how much walking you would like to do on this day.  Your friendly guide can arrange boat transfers if you prefer as the day is divided into three sections, each section involves approximately two hours’ walking.  Our first section from Awaroa to Tonga Quarry, explores the stunning forested saddle and along the golden sands of Onetahuti Beach.  Relax on the golden sand beach flanked by impressive granite headlands.  Next, Tonga Quarry to Bark Bay/Medlands Beach is a gradual climb through native forest, then we descend to the Bark Bay waterfall trail.  Our next section takes us to Torrent Bay.  This is the most varied section of the track.  Enjoy a succession of magnificent views of the headlands, estuaries, and beaches, all framed by native forests before crossing the swing bridge over Falls River.  The 40-metre-long swing bridge offers elevated views of the pristine channel below.  Your hot shower and well-deserved rest awaits for you at Torrent Bay Lodge.  Relax in the casual holiday home right on the beach front and enjoy a restful night’s sleep in one of the many rooms named after ships that featured in the nautical history of the Abel Tasman coast. 

DAY SEVEN B,MT, L ,D 

Wake up to the stunning scenery and devour a nourishing breakfast before walking the easiest section of the coastal track.  Torrent Bay to Motueka/Nelson.  The panoramic views across Tasman Bay to Nelson will be a highlight as you walk the 13-16 kms (depending on tides).  If you would prefer to shorten the walk, a boat ride can be arranged.  This final section of the track delivers spectacular views across Tasman Bay to Nelson and Marlborough Sounds.  A stop for lunch at a protected golden beach with views to Adele and Fisherman’s islands before catching our bus at the end of the coastal track to return to Nelson and back to Trailways Hotel for our evening meal and well-deserved rest.  

DAY EIGHT B, L, D 

Wake up to another lovely day in Nelson.  This morning we will have some free time to explore the Mapua Wharf shops, galleries, and cafes.  Situated by the stunning Waimea Estuary, Mapua Wharf is the premier destination for shopping, eating or browsing through Port Mapua Maritime Museum.  Explore the rich maritime history through photos, interactive displays and memorabilia detailing the wharf’s history, before heading to the family-owned winery of Seifried Estate.  We will visit the cellar door to taste a selection of their wines before heading on to Gravity Winery.  Set in the Moutere hills, Gravity Winery will take you on a journey through New Zealand’s top wine growing regions as you sample at their cellar door and enjoy a tour of their state of art gravity-fed winery.  Learn the art of great wine and wander through the levels, tasting from tanks and barrels and see why winemakers are so passionate about what they do.  Lunch will be enjoyed onsite, then take some time to view more creativity at their gallery. No doubt it will be a sunny day, as this vineyard enjoys the most sunshine hours of all New Zealand’s grape growing regions and is known for its organic wine.  At the end of the day, we will head back to our home away from home for dinner onsite. 

DAY NINE  B, L 

After breakfast, we enjoy some free time to look around Nelson shops before heading to our final destination for the day, The Classic Car Museum.  Marvel and admire an incredible collection of iconic cars and relive your own memories of your first car or dream car as you look around the museum. A delicious lunch will be enjoyed onsite before heading to Nelson airport for our afternoon flight home.