A guided adventure on two of New Zealand’s best coastal walks

New Zealand’s South Island is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking hikes, and two of the best are the Queen Charlotte Track and the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Both are known for their stunning natural beauty, rich Māori and European history, and accessibility for walkers of varying fitness levels.

We sat down with Tamara, our New Zealand destination expert, to get the inside scoop on what makes these two tracks so special, what to expect on a guided walk, and some handy tips for anyone planning to explore these incredible trails.

Where are these hiking trails located?

On the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island in the Nelson/Tasman region. The Queen Charlotte Track runs almost the entire length of Queen Charlotte Sound, traversing the ridge between this Sound and the nearby Kenepuru Sound. The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is located in one of New Zealand’s finest (and smallest) national parks.

What time of year did you complete these hikes and how long do you need?

December – New Zealand’s summer. Allow 5 days for the Queen Charlotte Track (70km) including arrival and departure days, and 4 days for the Abel Tasman Track (40km / 4 days). Both tracks are graded moderate, so doable if you have a good level of fitness.

Describe the other walkers in your group

On the Queen Charlotte Track, I joined four other hikers – a couple from Sydney, and two women from the North Island of New Zealand. All hikers were in their late 60s to to mid-70s. Our expert guide Andy lives in New Zealand, and is originally from Melbourne. On the Abel Tasman Track, I joined a woman from Cairns (early 40s) and an American family of 2 adults in their late 60s and their adult children (late 20s to early 30s). Everyone was  motivated by the same thing – their love of the great outdoors, keeping fit, and ticking off a bucket list item!

Did you encounter any native wildlife along the way?

Yes, lots of native birds including the curious and cheeky weka, which has a distinctive song when walking, and the toutouwai (robin). Also friendly fantail birds, which look similar to our willy wagtails, and I spotted a few kererū (New Zealand pigeon). When on the water taxi to the Queen Charlotte, I sighted dolphins (exciting!), There were also New Zealand fur seals at Split Apple Rock. I visited Motuara Island (at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound) where you will find the South Island saddleback (tīeke). Once on the brink of extinction, this bird species has been reintroduced to the island and can now be heard calling throughout the forest.

How would you describe the differences in scenery between the two tracks?

The Queen Charlotte Track has an elevation of 450m above sea level and provides uninterrupted views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. The water is a mosaic of deep blues and emerald greens. The Abel Tasman provides breathtaking coastal scenery with aqua pristine water and deserted beaches only accessible by boat.

How challenging did you find each of the walks, and how much preparation would you recommend?

Both had challenging days. I walked the Queen Charlotte first and that was definitely the longer and more elevated out of the two walks. Day 3 is the longest day (24km). There is an option to not walk this day and get a water taxi to the next resort. A few people in my group chose this option. This trail is suited to people with reasonable fitness. Clients need to be aware that some days are undulating and long. Training up hills and on uneven surfaces is required to ensure an enjoyable walk.

The Abel Tasman has an elevation of 200m above sea level. The track features gentle accents and descents with no steep climbs. Certain sections, like the Awaroa Inlet, require crossing at low tide. Training is necessary to ensure an enjoyable walk. We suggest training 3 months before you depart. On the Abel Tasman there is an option to only walk part of the trail each day; a water taxi can take you back to the lodge or you have the option to enjoy the beach and have a swim. Wilson owns the two lodges and has water taxis.

Trekking poles definitely help with stability on the sometimes uneven terrain.

What tips would you give someone walking these tracks?

Prepare for undulating hills and long days on the Queen Charlotte Track. Take a good daypack and one that is big enough to carry your wet weather jacket and layers plus food and water. Bring bathers on the Abel Tasman Track as there are plenty of opportunities to go for a dip. Travel light – you don’t need to bring too much on each trek and it’s very casual for dinner after your walk each day.

How did the guides enhance your experience on each walk?

The guides were brilliant! They provided so much knowledge about the Māori history in the region. The were highly educated on the flora and fauna and provided a plethora of interesting information.

Were there any cultural stories or local legends that stood out during the walk?

I loved the traditional tale of Kupe and the Giant Octopus. Kupe was said to have battled a giant octopus in the Pacific Ocean. During their struggle the octopus’s tentacles reached out, gouging the land to form the intricate bays of the Marlborough Sounds.

On the first night on the Abel Tasman trip, you are shown a video about William & Adele Hadfield – the first European farmers in Awaroa Inlet who raised a large family in this remote location. Each room is named after the family members. There is a lot of history at both lodges but particularly Awaroa, which has been rebuilt to reflect the original homestead from 1841.

What kind of meals did you enjoy along the tracks?

In the Abel Tasman National Park, the lodges are privately owned by Wilsons. You can have a hot cooked breakfast and/or a continental breakfast. Packed lunches are salad and bread roll, dark chocolate, crisps, and a piece of fruit and snacks of that kind. You could choose from two dinner options, with one usually vegetarian. Tea, coffee and hot drinks were all available at the lodges (common area). There were also sweet biscuits available.

On the Queen Charlotte, the privately run resorts had a restaurant on site with a large menu, from which guests can order breakfast (hot options, cafe style along with porridge or chia for lighter options) and a 3-course dinner. Packed lunches generally consisted of a sandwich / roll / wrap that was pre-ordered the day before in the afternoon on arrival. It also included cheese and biscuits, crips, fruit and dark chocolate. Queen Charlotte had tea, coffee and hot drinks available in the rooms. You could also order a latte or machine coffee at the restaurants.

The restaurants at the resorts on the Queen Charlotte were what I would call fine dining. Absolutely delicious and lots of food! Too much for most; in the end, I just ordered a main course only. You also receive a glass of wine, which is included in the itinerary. There was a large selection of seafood, protein and salads.

Did any of the lodges or places you stayed offer something particularly special or memorable?

Both offered memorable experiences. The Queen Charlotte is luxury and I felt quite spoiled, which was welcomed after a long and challenging walking day. The rooms are comfortable and very spacious offering wonderful views. I loved the sense of community on the Abel Tasman. We all ate together at a large dining table and met up for a drink after our walk. The lodges are set up to meet other people and feel part of a group. I was a solo traveller so this suited me. Whether you are in a guided group or walking self-guided you get to know people and I had the opportunity to meet other like-minded people. It was a great experience and something I will never forget.

How did the accommodation contribute to your recovery and enjoyment after each day’s walk?

The accommodation was very comfortable on both walks. A hot shower was the first thing after a long day and beds were extremely comfortable at all lodges and resorts. There were no TVs on both treks and I would sit back and take in the magical views. We would have dinner and go to bed early ready to take on the next day.

What was your personal highlight from the trip?

I had never done anything like this before but I absolutely loved the challenge. I was nervous – fear of the unknown. Little things like travelling alone were on my mind. I can honestly say it was an experience I will never forget. I met genuine people along the way, and I loved the walks, New Zealand is magical. I learnt so much about New Zealand flora and fauna but also about other people’s hiking experiences. When you’re walking long days you talk to other travellers and you learn a lot about culture and experiences. I think that’s the beauty of travelling in general.

Would you recommend these walks to other hikers?

I absolutely would recommend both walks to other hikers. They are different and beautiful in their own ways. The Abel Tasman is very coastal with deserted beaches. It’s a great option if you want to meet other hikers and like-minded people. The Queen Charlotte has the most magnificent views followed by delicious food and accommodation. New Zealand is the perfect place to hike, with minimal insects, well maintained national parks and stunning scenery. You’re challenged and rewarded – you also get spoiled along the way eating fresh cooked meals and experiencing nature at its best.

What surprised you most about walking in New Zealand?

The lack of insects! There were minimal flies. I didn’t see any spiders or bull ants. A big appeal of hiking here is that there are no snakes. There are also wonderful bumble bees, which are harmless and great for the environment. I would sit on the ground to have my lunch and wouldn’t be bothered by anything. I was very noticeable coming from Australia and in summer. The trails are looked after exceptionally well.

If you had to sum up the experience in three words, what would they be?

• Magical
• Challenging
• Rewarding

Can these hikes be done self-guided?

Yes, they certainly can. Both trails are really well signed, and our RAW Travel app has navigation guidance on it. The walks can be completed independently of each other or combined into two consecutive walks – a popular option and highly recommended. You can view all our guided and self-guided itineraries here.