WALK NZ Cruise and walk in Pelorus Sound and Golden Bay
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WALK NZ
Cruise and walk in Pelorus Sound and Golden Bay
Monday 25 January – Tuesday 2 February 2021
8 nights
TOUR OVERVIEW
Combining a small-boat cruise with walking is a perfect blend, so we are delighted to present this opportunity in
Pelorus Sound. You will be able to relax and explore this beautiful area in depth without needing to pack and
unpack. And if you feel like staying on board, cruising with the skipper instead of walking, that’s an equally fine
way to spend the day. Pelorus is the largest of the Marlborough Sounds and has great natural beauty, crystal
clear and sheltered waters, lush native bush and a choice of walks of different lengths and gradients.
For the second half of the tour you will be based in Golden Bay, a place many people fly over but never quite
get to visit. It has a special atmosphere. Golden Bay is separated from the rest of the South Island by two
national parks, has only one road in and out, and is protected at its northern end by the curving needle of
Farewell Spit. You will be able to enjoy its many natural wonders including Farewell Spit, the dramatic wind- and
sea-carved coastline and the golden beaches. We have used the local knowledge of some of our very good
clients to select walks for the itinerary.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise on sheltered waters and walk through lush
coastal bush
• Spend the evenings on board the Affinity in the
quiet of Pelorus Sound
• Stay in a comfortable lodge on Pohara Beach
• Take a 4-wheel drive tour and learn about
Farewell Spit, a wetland of international
significance
• Walk the remote northern section of the Abel
Tasman coastal track, a hidden gem
• Peer through some of the clearest water ever
recorded, at the largest cold water spring in the
southern hemisphere
TOUR MANAGER
Andrew Matheson will be your tour manager, and will
be accompanied by his partner Sue Cotton. Andrew
and Sue walked the Nydia Track a few years ago, and
enjoyed the quiet beauty of bush, sea and views.
Andrew has led many successful overseas Calder &
Lawson tours, and his private travel has taken him the
length and breadth of New Zealand. He applies his
organisational skills to make sure trips run to plan, and
deliver a special and memorable experience for
group members.
As a former Nelson resident, Andrew is keen to share
these parts of his old stamping ground with you.
TOUR INCLUSIONS TOUR EXCLUSIONS
• The services of an experienced Calder & Lawson • Domestic flights/travel (arrangements can be
Tours tour manager made for you at an additional cost)
• 4 nights hotel accommodation (twin share) • Travel insurance
• 4 nights ship accommodation (twin share) on the • Meals not specified in the itinerary
Affinity in Pelorus Sound
• Beverages during included meals, unless
• Meals as specified in the itinerary specified
• All group transfers • Personal expenses
• Activities and sightseeing tours as detailed in the • A 2.5% surcharge if you wish to pay by credit
itinerary card
• Pre-tour material
TOUR PRICE
Share twin per person NZD $3,990
Single supplement NZD $1,890
Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single room or cabin (limited spaces available).
GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 14
VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? YOUR CRUISING VESSEL
This is an easy to moderate walking tour with walks Affinity was built for small group tours, with 8 guest cabins, a
on most days. The longest could be up to 6 hours comfortable lounge and roomy sun deck. The cabins,
and the shortest less than a couple of hours. The each with a double bed and a single bunk, are on the
greatest elevation gain is 387m. lower deck. The main deck has a spacious lounge and
You should have recent experience of walking for shared bathroom facilities, with plenty of hot water for
that long on consecutive days. We recommend showers.
you wear good sturdy walking shoes or boots.
This is a compact and homely vessel, rather than a luxury
cruise ship. The meals are all provided and are home-
cooked kiwi food. You can take your own drinks on board,
and will be able to stock up in Havelock before embarking.
There is easy access on and off the vessel, with platform
steps at the stern and a 4-metre inflatable tender for shore
excursions.
DAILY ITINERARY
Monday 25 January 2021 Make your own way to Nelson. Depending on when you arrive, you may
Nelson have free time to explore Nelson before meeting the group for a welcome
Meals: D dinner at 6.30pm.
Overnight: Nelson
You might like to enjoy the local flavours of Nelson, lingering over a long
lunch, or follow an art trail. The famous Suter Art Gallery, or the Nelson Classic
Car Museum, might beckon. Andrew will also be available to take anyone
who would like to join him for a local walk in the afternoon.
Tuesday 26 January After a leisurely breakfast you will be transferred to Havelock. There will be
Nelson – Havelock time for a short walk around this former gold-mining settlement, which today
Meals: B/L/D has a small museum and colonial buildings housing boutique galleries. Then
Coach: 1 hour it’s time to board your boat for a noon departure, followed by lunch.
Walk: 1 hour 15 minutes.
The afternoon walk is on the very picturesque track from Jacobs Bay to Fairy
Easy; climb/descent 58 m
Bay . Once back on board, sit back and enjoy the trip to Tennyson Inlet
Overnight: Affinity
while enjoying a few nibbles. The skipper will find a suitable overnight
anchorage and the crew will serve dinner around 7pm.
Wednesday 27 January After the morning cruise to Elaine Bay, you have options for the day’s walk.
Archer Track The Archer Track is an easy route that hugs the coastline between Elaine Bay
Meals: B/L/D in Tennyson Inlet and Penzance Bay, following an old stock route used before
Walk: Easy, 3.5 hours (9 km) Tennyson Inlet gained road access in the 1960s. You can do the full walk or
Overnight: Affinity either half: Elaine Bay to Deep Bay, or Deep Bay to Penzance Bay, each
1.5 hours and 4.5 km.
The track is named after the Archer family, who have lived in the area since
the 1880s. It passes mostly through dense native bush with a mix of beech
and podocarp trees. Back on the vessel there will be time to sit back and
enjoy the Sounds while appreciating a refreshing beverage. Once again,
dinner is served mid-evening and the boat anchors overnight.
Thursday 28 January Today’s walk is part of the Nydia Track, from Duncan Bay to Nydia Bay. The
Nydia Track (part 1) first hour’s walk follows the shoreline with glimpses of the sea through lush
Meals: B/L/D coastal forest — giant rimu, nikau, beech trees and tree ferns. From
Walk: Moderate, Ngawhakawhiti Bay the track climbs to Nydia Saddle (347 m), where you
4 hours, climb/descent 347 m can take in the great views of Tennyson Inlet. Note that the Nydia Track can
Overnight: Affinity be can be rough, uneven and muddy in places.
From the saddle the track continues down into Nydia Bay, where the crew
and vessel will be waiting for you. There will be time to relax before dinner.
Friday 29 January The second part of the Nydia Track is from Nydia Bay to Shag Point. You will
Nydia Track (part 2) begin mid-morning walking across open farmland beside a stream, crossing it
Meals: B/L/D twice. Then climb up to the Kaiuma Saddle (387 m) through beech forest
Walk: Moderate, and regenerating scrub with superb views. On a clear day you can see
6 hours, climb/descent 387 m Marlborough’s highest mountain, Tapuae-o-Uenuku (2,885 m). From the
Overnight: Affinity saddle, the track drops quickly to cross a stream then climbs a little into the
forest and sidles around to a point above Kaiuma Bay.
While you are walking, the vessel will cruise around to Shag Point where the
crew will put the tender in the water and collect you. Once back on board,
the skipper will find suitable overnight anchorage and you’ll enjoy nibbles
before dinner.
Saturday 30 January After cruising back to Havelock, disembark and transfer to Takaka in
Havelock – Takaka – Pohara Beach Golden Bay and on to your accommodation just across the road from
Meals: B/D Pohara Beach. There will be stops for coffee and lunch (own expense) on
Coach: Approximately 3 hours the way.
Walk: 90 minutes (3.4 km) return,
Before checking into your comfortable lodge, there will be time for a walk
climb/descent 70 m
to the picture-perfect Wainui Falls. Climb through lush native bush with
Overnight: Pohara Beach
overhanging nikau palms, to the falls which cascade 20 metres down
granite bedrock into a deep blue pool below. In the evening, enjoy a
group dinner at a local restaurant.
Sunday 31 January In the morning visit the famous Pupu (Waikoropupu) Springs, then walk
Takaka – Farewell Spit and among the spectacular coastline at Puponga, which is a magical and
Puponga Farm Park otherworldly area. After a picnic lunch, it’s time to head for the Golden
Meals: B/L/D Bay’s stand-out feature.
Overnight: Pohara Beach
Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of
international importance, and is more strictly protected than a national
park. The spit itself is around 35 km long and public access is restricted to
the first 4 km. Your guided 4WD safari is run by an operator approved by
the Department of Conservation to take tours into the sanctuary.
Farewell Spit has been a bird sanctuary since the 1930s and provides a
home for over 90 bird species. Bar-tailed godwits, knots, curlews,
whimbrels and turnstones fly around 12,000 kilometres every northern
hemisphere autumn to spend the summer here in the south.
You can explore the geological past at Fossil Point, climb a low sand dune
and visit an area to watch wading birds. A highlight is the historic light-
house reserve, with its 19th-century lighthouse (still keeping ships safe from
the shifting sands) and reminders of the pioneering families who lived here
and tended the light. Enjoy a picnic dinner at the lighthouse before
driving back to Pohara.
An alternative for those who have made this trip before is to take a horse
trek (cost included) in the area, which we can arrange for you.
Monday 1 February Explore the hidden gem of the remote northern part of Abel Tasman
Totaranui – Wainui Beach National Park. Experience the wild beauty, golden sand beaches and
Meals: B/L/D clear waters without the crowds you might encounter on the coastal
Walking: Moderate, 15.5 km track further south. From Totaranui walk north to Anapai Bay, one of the
(approximately 5.5 hours) national park’s loveliest bays. Continue to Mutton Cove before climbing
Total climb/descent 420 m over Separation Point to Whariwhirangi. There are spectacular views over
Overnight: Pohara Beach Tasman Bay and, once past Separation Point, over Golden Bay.
From Whariwharangi continue on the Inland Track to Wainui Bay.
In all the track crosses three saddles 100, 120 and 200 m high, returning to
sea level each time.
Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight at your lodge.
Tuesday 2 February Transfer to Nelson, arriving late morning for your onward travel or to
Takaka – Nelson continue with a private holiday in the area.
Meal: B
Coach 2 hours
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR
A deposit of $500 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour will
become a ‘confirmed departure’ and your deposit will be non-refundable. At that point we will advise when the
tour payment is due. If the tour is unable to operate as a result of government travel restrictions due to Covid-19,
you will have the choice of transferring your deposit to another tour or receiving a full refund.
• Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $500 deposit and your place in this tour is
secured.
• Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can download one from the website
www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you.
• TERMS & CONDITIONS
Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form
or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. There is a 2.5% surcharge if you wish to
pay by credit card.
VARIATIONS
This itinerary is Version 2 dated 09/07/2020 and is subject to change.
Photo credits: Fossil Pojnt & Lighthouse - Farewell Spit Tours,. Affinity vessel - Affinity. Waikoropupu broadwalk, gannet colony, Tata Beach at Golden Bay - Nelson-
Tasman Regional Tourism Organisation.
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