Awaroa Escape$78.00

Awaroa Escape Journey

The Awaroa Escape trip is comprised of 8 legs.

1 Aqua Taxi from Marahau & Kaiteriteri to Torrent & Anchorage Bay



You will pass several off-shore islands which provide a protected habitat for native wildlife. This stretch of water is called the Astrolabe Roadstead named by Dumont Durville. Roadstead was a term early seafarers used to describe safe sheltered waters. Heading North watch out for the Anchorage navigational marker before you turn in and see the beautiful expanse of Anchorage and Torrent Bay ahead of you.

Places of interest: Kaiteriteri, Aqua Taxi Marahau Base, Aqua Taxi Kaiteriteri Base, Marahau, Split Apple Rock, Anchorage, Te Pukeatea Bay, Adele Island, Fisherman Island, Torrent Bay

2 Aqua Taxi from Torrent & Anchorage Bay to Bark Bay



This stretch of coastline can only be viewed from the water. You will see lots of interesting rocky outcrops and rock formations. Sandfly Bay and Falls River are beautiful spots. On a high tide (and time dependent) you can go up Falls River and see the people walking across the Swing Bridge.

Places of interest: Anchorage, Torrent Bay, Bark Bay

3 Walk from Bark Bay to Tonga



To walk between Bark Bay and Tonga (Onetahuti Beach) will take about 2 hrs and is 6.1kms in length. Bark was stripped from trees to be used in a Nelson tannery, hence the origin of the name of the bay. Tonga means south and is also the name of the Marine Reserve the third in New Zealand to be alongside a national park.

Places of interest: Bark Bay, Onetahuti Beach

4 Walk from Tonga to Awaroa



Crossing over the low hills between Awaroa and Tonga (Onetahuti Beach) is a nice walk. Look out for the large Mamuku - the largest tree fern in New Zealand.

Places of interest: Onetahuti Beach, Awaroa Lodge, Awaroa Beach

5 Aqua Taxi from Awaroa to Tonga



You will see a lot of interesting eroded granite take note of the colours caused by iron oxide and granite. Pass the inlet for Shag Harbour mostly accessible by kayak on a high tide. Look out for a huge round boulder similar to split apple rock - (estimated the size of a small house) sitting out on its own in the azure waters. Before heading North into Awaroa you come to the end of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve.

Places of interest: Onetahuti Beach, Tonga Island, Awaroa Beach

6 Aqua Taxi from Tonga to Bark Bay



You enter the start of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve as you exit Bark Bay heading North. You will see Tonga Island prominent in the distance which has the largest Seal population in the park. All of our boats hold a marine mammal viewing permit - so we can view all marine life from a distance of 20 metres. We stop at Tonga Island and spend time viewing the seals.

Places of interest: Onetahuti Beach, Tonga Island

7 Aqua Taxi return journey from Bark Bay to Torrent & Anchorage Bay

8 Aqua Taxi return journey from Torrent & Anchorage Bay to Marahau & Kaiteriteri