Awaroa Beach & CoffeeBeginner

Description

Head south from Totaranui along the Abel Tasman trail for a lovely 5km of combined beach and forest trails until you reach the Awaroa estuary.

This can only be crossed 2 hours on either side of low tide so make sure you do your maths and time your crossings right. It is likely that your shoes will still get wet. It is easier (less deep) just to follow the orange Doc signs across to Awaroa Hut but a diagonal shortcut is usually fine at peak low tide. Some runners may prefer to remove shoes for the muddiest bits.

After the crossing diagonal across to the beach and reaching the open sea, turn right and cruise down the beach towards a prominent cliff boardwalk which is the access to the Awaroa Lodge. After a well-earned coffee & cake follow the signs back via Awaroa Glamping, the airstrip, and then the orange signs that take you to Awaroa Hut before making the return crossing of the estuary. Hopefully, you got the timing right!

Head back to Totaranui along the same Abel Tasman trail for 5km until you arrive back at your car.

Features of interest

Located within the protected confines of the South Island’s Abel Tasman National Park, Awaroa Beach curves magnificently around the mesmerising shallows of an atoll-like estuary. Meandering its way for 800 metres in length, it has been nicknamed “The People’s Beach” since it was purchased by New Zealanders from a private owner after a crowdfunding campaign that received the support of some 40,000 people.

A journey here is made all the more special by the fact Awaroa is only accessible on foot and by boat, with no road access. Scenic helicopter flights do overfly the beach without being able to land. As well as the almost unbelievable scenery, Awaroa has become a haven for coastal birds, which now nest nearby.

Make Up of Run

Untracked / Route only: 0%

Technical Single Track: 0%

Moderate Single Track: 20%

Easy Single Track: 80%

Route Data