During your Abel Tasman National Park Explorations you will:
	Spend 4 days trekking the spectacular Coastal Track.
	Enjoy 5 days sea kayaking The Abel Tasman Marine National Park.
	See the seal families playing amongst the rocks and in the water.
	Find time to sit on the beach and enjoy the tranquillity of the wilderness.
	Experience a feeling of health, well being and relaxation.
	Laugh lost and make close friendships.
	Discover a little more about yourself.

The Perfect Adventure Holiday Destination
National Park status protects the Abel Tasman scenic coastline for everyone to enjoy. There are beaches, forest tracks, campsites and huts for hikers, paddlers and adventurers. Clear water, islands, inlets and lagoons, plus seals, dolphins, birds and the Tonga Island Marine Reserve make for great kayaking and land exploration.

What we provide
Pre trip parent and student briefings, return economy airfares to New Zealand, Australian and New Zealand Departure Tax, all National Park entry fees and permits, All meals from evening day 1 to breakfast on final day. Excluding evening meal at Marahau on changeover night between hiking and sea kayaking, two Southbound Adventures guides with Wilderness First Aid qualifications, sea kayak hire and a professional Kayak guide, expedition tent, rucksack, Quality rain jacket, sleeping mat, water bottle, Trangia stove and fuel, all cooking utensils, 2 nights hostel accommodation in New Zealand, food feast on the last evening.

A little about the Abel Tasman Coastal Park
Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its coastal vegetation, enclosed estuaries and golden sand beaches: qualities that make the Abel Tasman coast one of New Zealand’s most popular natural areas.

Tonga Island Marine Reserve is the third marine reserve to be created alongside a national park. The Reserve covers an area of water one nautical mile offshore, from Tonga Island to the Headland at Mosquito Bay.

The reserve protects a flourishing seal colony and a variety of marine life and sea birds.

The Abel Tasman Coastal Walking Track takes between 3 to 5 days to complete. It is classed as one of New Zealand’s “GREAT WALKS”, being well maintained and suitable for most people. All rivers and streams are bridged and boots while advisable, are not necessary.

Camping in the Park is only permitted at designated sites. Each site has basic facilities, which include a water supply, fireplace and toilets. This Park was gazetted in 1942, on the 300th anniversary of Abel Tasman’s visit to New Zealand. The coast and the world famous Coastal Track now attracts a very high level of recreational use from trampers, day walkers and paddlers.

Weather along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track is generally mild but you should be prepared for rain. We will be crossing several estuaries along the way, and therefore tides will have a major bearing on our daily planning.

A little about the sea kayaking
Our sea kayaking portion of the trip will be vastly different from the coastal trek. Obviously no walking of any distances will be required, and we will reach our overnight destinations by paddling. An experienced guide will accompany us during this trip and will ensure that our campsites are the best available.

The kayaking trip will take in the coastal areas of the Abel Tasman national park. This area is world renowned for its stunning coastline, sub tropical forest, golden beaches, lagoons and impressive rock-scapes. We can explore secluded beaches, hidden lagoons and sheltered bays, and observe close at hand seal colonies and other marine life.

The kayaks used will be stable two-person type, fully fitted out with safety equipment, sails and large dry storage compartments. Our guide will provide standard training (kayaks are simple to use). We will not be on the water all day long and ample time is provided for land based exploring, recreation and relaxing. There will be the opportunity to fish on certain days.

Sea kayakers gain a perspective on the area not available to foot trekkers. Access to areas not available to walkers is an added bonus. Wildlife is best observed from the water too. Dolphins are frequent visitors through the waters, and seals are common around Tonga Island. While we are in Tonga Marine Reserve we are prohibited from catching or taking any marine wildlife.