The Bay Walk

The walk

ITINERARY | ACCOMMODATION | MEALS | TRANSPORT | EQUIPMENT | PRICES | CONDITIONS

Trail map

All our walks are self-guided and the tracks are well marked with alternative shorter/longer side options on both walking days.

Where necessary our trail map will provide extra instructions to keep you well on the track towards your final destination. The leisurely pace of this Hiking Special makes it a viable option for all ages with plenty of time for nature observation, swimming, sunbathing or just rejuvenating.

Fitness Level

To enjoy The Bay Walk we recommend a reasonable to good fitness level. It’s not a must, but maybe a good idea to do some exercise leading to your walking adventure. You can slowly build up your condition by adding some longer walks including some uphill. This will allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of our Walk.

And if this all doesn’t work out for you, don’t worry… you can still rely on the magic hands of our masseuse… She will do wonders and relax every muscle in your body so you can leave us with a feeling of health and well-being.

Trail description

Each days hike takes on average between 4 to 6 hours depending on personal speed, fitness level and route alternatives. The tracks vary from a sandy underground (beaches & dunes) to open grassy land, bush trails, farm tracks and some short rock passages along the coastline. There are different hill climbs on both walking days.

Weather & Health

Golden Bay can be a place of extremes. With a difference of only 50km the climate condition on the West Coast can be completely different from the one in the Abel Tasman National Park.

Especially the wind can be quite challenging on your first walking day. On the other hand it’s on a windy day (what to be honest it often is…), that the ‘shifting sands’ of Farewell Spit create the most amazing sand sculptures. They transform the place in a real paradise for nature photographers!

Day 2 takes you away from the windy West Coast and brings you to the warmth and quietness of the Abel Tasman NP, better known as ‘Sun Capital of New Zealand’. So don’t forget your swimwear today and take a dip in the crystal clear lagoons! An amazing holiday experience!

However our local sandflies are a much more peace-loving nature than their colleagues in Fiordland, it’s still a good idea to carry some insect repellent with you. You never know that just on your walking day they are in need of fresh, sweet blood and found in you the perfect victim… So be prepared, you never know!

Also carry enough water with you as it can be very hot here, especially in mid summer. One liter of liquid is a real minimum. There are by the way two ‘refilling stations’ during your walk. Sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses are other essentials to take with you on your Abel Tasman walk.

Toilet & picnic facilties

There are toilet facilities at the start and end of each walking track and also halfway. According to lunch, your biggest ‘problem’ will be to decide where to picnic… as the choice is almost endless with an over supply of panoramic spots and golden sandy beaches!

Walking times & distances

-Day 1: Short guided nature walk (rata trees, limestone formations, native plants): 45min, 1km
-Day 2: Day walk in Golden Bay (dunes, beaches, sheep farm): 4-6.5 hours /13,1-19,5km
-Day 3: Day walk in the Abel Tasman NP (coastal forest, beaches, estuary): 5.5-6.5 hours/14,0km

For information purposes: the indicated walking times include time for photo stops and lunch.

Afternoon tea

At the end of each walking day we will welcome you at the end of the track with refreshments and an afternoon tea or coffee with some sweet delights. These are all included in your Hiking package.

Professional photo tips

Both of us have behind us a 20 year career as professional photographers with a specialisation in people and landscape photography.

For those of you with interest in photography, we don’t mind sharing our photo ‘secrets’ with you. We also have an all weather camera and tripod available to use free of charge.

In the evening you can watch your images on your flatscreen in your Suite or share them with the other guests in our lounge. A selection of pictures will be downloaded to our Facebook page as a souvenir of your Bay Walk adventure.

Maps