South Island Walks

Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte Tracks

New Zealand’s South Island (Te Wāhi Pounamu) is world-famous for its spellbindingly beautiful scenery. With exceptionally well-maintained trails, easy access, and the absence of dangerous wildlife it is a hikers’ paradise. Add world-class seafood, top-notch wines and boutique lodges, and it really is the perfect destination.

We invite you to explore two of the South Island’s best coastal walks with us. The world-famous Queen Charlotte Track is renowned for its stunning panoramas, rugged forest, historical landmarks and dazzling variety of native bush and wildlife. The tranquillity and creature comforts on this trail make it a superb choice. Even in the height of the tourist season, you’ll be lucky to cross paths with half a dozen trampers.

The Abel Tasman Coastal Trek is located in one of the country’s smallest and most impressive national parks. On this trail you’ll walk through lush coastal vegetation, along spectacular granite cliffs and to golden beaches with azure waters. These pristine patches of paradise are secluded and come with no crowds, and the sheltered bays are perfect for kayaking, with ample opportunity to see the seals and dolphins who regularly play in these coastal waters.

The walks can be completed independently of each other or combined into one longer walk – a popular option and highly recommended. You will be rewarded with two very different but equally enjoyable coastal hikes.

New Zealand

The RAW Travel Difference

Great Ocean Walk
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Beautiful lodges & food

Our walks in the Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte area are based around wonderful walker's lodges in beautiful natural surroundings, often only accessed by foot or boat. The facilities are excellent and ensure a very relaxed and comfortable stay each day after your walks.

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Local staff & knowledge

You can't beat local knowledge! Our New Zealand trips are supported by our own staff member on the ground, based in the local area, who is both a leader for our guided trips and support for our self-guided walkers. He has designed our trips in the area to showcase the very best of the region - with rest days so you can exploit his insider knowledge of wineries and local food producers!

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FLEXIBLE & TAILOR MADE

We offer flexibility with our trips; we listen to what you want and tailor the walking to your ability and timeframes, giving you the experience you want, not what's easiest for us! All our guided trips include carefully planned itineraries and wonderful accommodation and meals that emphasize locally grown produce.

About

HIGHEST STANDARDS

In 2019 we became the only Australian walking company to attain the rigorous standard of Benefit Corp accreditation. Our trips are high-quality nature-based tourism experiences that are also measured on our contribution back to the environment and local communities. RAW Travel is a 'Quality Tourism' certified business in Australia and we're also certified under the globally recognised 'Safe Travel's' scheme for COVID cleaning & emergencies.

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Arrive into Picton where your local guide will be waiting to transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of a region synonymous with quality wine around the world – Marlborough.

Nestled in the heart of the Marlborough sounds and only accessible by boat or foot, our lodge offers a true immersion in nature surrounded by 2000 acres of pristine forest. It is the ideal location to relax and enjoy a fresh, local and seasonally inspired menu for dinner.

Sister property to the previous night’s accommodation, you can expect more of the natural beauty and the best of the Marlborough cuisine and beverages this evening. You will need to fuel up for tomorrow’s big day.

Eventually, the track will descend to Torea Saddle, between Torea and Portage Bays. Our walk ends at our waterfront hotel for a well deserved rest for the night, located just ten minutes off the track.

Relax and reminisce on the magic of the last days on the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track in Nelson

We will stay in the first of our beachfront lodges where you will enjoy a delicious 3 course dinner, before retiring to your room to fall asleep to the sound of the waves.

The track continues with steady climbs up and over two valleys before a steep descent to the sleepy summer holiday village of Torrent Bay and our second beachfront lodge accommodation for the night.

View Our Walks

New Zealand

6 Days

New Zealand

Queen Charlotte Track – Guided

Group Guided Moderate
  • Dramatic sweeping views of dense untouched native forest, coves and inlets
  • Giants in the New Zealand forest like the rimu and varieties of native fern
  • Little Blue Penguins, albatrosses, red and black billed gulls, shearwaters
  • New Zealand dolphins, the Common, Bottlenose, Dusky and Hector’s
from

$2,995.00

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5 Days

New Zealand

Abel Tasman Coastal Trek – Guided

Guided Moderate
  • Fully guided walk along the classic Abel Tasman Coastal Track
  • Boutique lodges along the trail and delicious locally produced meals
  • Remote golden sand beaches and pristine coastline
  • Cross an impressive 47m-long suspension bridge over Falls River
from

$2,400.00

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5 Days

New Zealand

Queen Charlotte Track – Self Guided

Moderate Self-Guided
  • Self-guided hiking along the world renown Queen Charlotte Trek
  • Dramatic sweeping views of untouched native forest, coves and inlets
  • New Zealand dolphins, the Common, Bottlenose, Dusky and Hector’s
  • Giants in the New Zealand forest like the rimu and varieties of native fern
from

$2,190.00

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4 Days

New Zealand

Abel Tasman Coastal Track – Self Guided

Moderate Self-Guided
  • Pack-free self-guided hike along one of New Zealand’s most popular trails
  • Excellent boutique lodges along the trail and delicious locally produced meals
  • Relax on a scenic cruise along the length of the Abel Tasman coast
  • Explore Idyllic beaches, coves and inlets along the coast
from

$1,995.00

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9 Days

New Zealand

Abel Tasman & Queen Charlotte: Self-Guided

Moderate Self-Guided
  • Pack-free self-guided hike along the classic Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte tracks
  • Excellent boutique lodges along the trail and delicious locally produced meals
  • Remote golden sand beaches and pristine coastline
  • A haven for wildlife and nature lovers
from

$4,150.00

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Travel Expert

Your Dedicated Travel Team

New Zealand

Exclusive Guide

GET INSPIRED

Hiking really is the best way to see the beautiful landscapes and explore the vast wilderness of New Zealand’s South Island. With exceptionally well-maintained trails, easy access, and the absence of dangerous wildlife it is a hikers’ paradise. Add world-class seafood, top-notch wines and boutique lodges, and it really is the perfect destination. Find out everything you need to know in this comprehensive destination guide.

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Customized, Personalization, Solution, Tailored Clothing

Not quite what you're after?

Tailor-made trips

If you don’t see the exact trip you’re looking for then consider a customised trip, individually tailored to your ideal walking distances and timeframes. Have a look at our tailor-made trips page on the link below and drop us a line:

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