Departing Nelson at 7:00 AM or pickup from your accommodation anywhere between Nelson and Collingwood. Travel in a premium, spacious vehicle (max 5 guests) designed for comfort.
Led by Barefoot Tours with 6+ years of West Coast guiding experience. This experience is guided in English. Available in Spanish and Italian for private bookings only.
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Scenic Journey Highlights
- Pass through the Nelson Wine Region – rolling vineyards and coastal views.
- Walk to the Riuwaka Resurgence - a crystal blue spring emerging from a cave.
- Tākaka Hill (620m) – stop at Hawkes Lookout for panoramic views over Abel Tasman.
- Tākaka Valley – incredible views of the valley as road follows the river.
- Meet the Giant Longfin Eels in Golden Bay - a short stop to break up the drive.
- Golden Bay Coastline - take in the beautiful coastline as we navigate to Wharariki.
- Wharariki Beach - the main event.
A food stop will take place in Takaka, guests free to choose from a variety of local spots.
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Wharariki Beach Exploration (4 hours)
At the northernmost tip of the South Island, you’ll experience what many consider New Zealand’s most spectacular coastline.
- Walk the Pūponga Hilltop Track out to the beach
- Visit Cape Farewell clifftop viewpoints and spot seals from above
- Walk to the west end to explore giant sea caves, arches, tunnels and rock formations
- See the famous Archway Islands
- Find crystal-clear rock pools, birdlife, and often playful seal pups
With no rush, you’ll have plenty of time to breath it in, explore and connect with the landscape. Snacks, sun cream, extra water and first aid will be covered by your guide. A selfie drone can take photos for guests throughout the experience.
Please note, Wharariki is 150km from Nelson - our vehicle is very comfortable, and we will make four stops over the 2.5h journey. Please ensure you bring good walking shoes as not all terrain is barefoot friendly.
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The Barefoot Tours Difference
- Small group (max 5) – personal, comfortable, flexible and relaxed.
- Fun, enthusiastic, open floor style guiding loaded with facts, stories and local history.
- A focus on wellbeing, connection to nature and comfort (grounding, fresh air, movement, breaks)
- History of service for high-net-worth clients - aiming to deliver a world class experience with exceptional attention to safety, detail and guest satisfaction.
- A genuinely authentic Kiwi experience.
