NSTC Annual Christmas Tramp 2026/27 (Draft)
Kahurangi/Abel Tasman
The Christmas tramp will be slightly different this year. The dates are:
Home Party: Kahurangi and Abel Tasman National Parks: 27th December 2026 to 4th January 2027. Assemble at or before 11 am on the 27th at Nelson Airport - 11 members.
Out Parties: Kahurangi National Park. We will meet one day later - from 28th December 2026 to 5th January 2027. Assemble at or before 11 am on the 28th at Nelson Airport. One out party will consist of 6 members, and the other 5 members.
Costs:
Home: TBC Approx $620.00 - excludes accommodation Motueka but excludes kayaking/water taxis in Abel Tasman
Out Party 1: TBC Approx $520.00 Includes all accommodation including huts during tramp
Out Party 2: TBC Approx $345.00 Includes van and 2 nights accommodation in Cobb Houses, but does NOT include cost of huts while out tramping
Transport costs are shared equally across all participants, as it was last year.
Home party: Allow about 1.5 hours for the drive to the Airport. Don't book for an early flight.
Out Parties: Allow about 3.5 hours for the drive to the Airport, Don't book for an early flight.
Tramping will be based the Kahurangi National Park - the setting of several LOTR scenes. These are areas not known to most club members and provide us with a diversity of options for both Home and Out parties.
The Home Party will also spend 3 nights in Motueka, allowing us the opportunity to explore the famous Abel Tasman National Park - although activities such as kayaking and water-taxis are not included in the cost.
Kahurangi National Park extends west of Motueka to the West Coast -with braided rivers, beech forests, tussock grasslands, alpine screes and white limestone peaks. It includes Cobb Valley, Lake Peel, Balloon hut (sponsored by NSTC), Mt Arthur, Gridiron Shelter, Horseshoe Basin, Gordon's Pyramid, and Salisbury Lodge.
Home Party: We will base ourselves in large houses in the Cobb Valley for the first 5 nights, and then Motueka for the next 3 nights. Motueka is just over an hour from Nelson, and Cobb Valley a further 1.5 hours. There are numerous spectacular day walks in the valley. We are hoping to offer the group the opportunity for two overnighters, firstly a two-hour walk to Sylvester Hut, and a second 5 to 6 hour walk to Balloon hut. Both huts are bookable so there will be no need to carry tents. There should also be plenty of time for a grocery shop before heading to the Cobb Valley on arrival.
Out Parties: Both Out parties will be required to have a minimum of Medium/Fit Fitness standards for these tramps. Some tramps will require off-track travel, river crossings, and navigation skills, and may involve travel of five and up to nine hours daily.
A. OP1: Medium/Fit Out Party: We are planning to book all huts, so there will be NO need to carry tents for the duration of all the tramps. The plan is to join the home party in Cobb valley for the first night , 28th Dec, before setting out for an overnighter to Sylvester Hut next day.
Back to Cobb Valley and a hot shower, then set out for 4 nights.
B. OP2 Fit Out Party: We will need to carry tents for the duration of all the tramps. Plan is to join the home party in Cobb valley for the first night on the 28th Dec before setting out for an epic 7-night exploration of Kahurangi Park.
Back to Cobb Valley and a hot shower and comfy bed before returning to Nelson Airport on 5th.
Trip Grading: https://www.nstc.org.nz/useful-info
Detailed Itineraries
HOME PARTY E/M (Easy/Medium Fitness) Limit 11
Cost $
Leader:
Note - Cooking equipment are to be carried for the Home Party Two Day Trip options. Huts are bookable.
Day Walks:
Two Day Trips:
OUT PARTIES
Cost $
OP1: M/F (Medium /Fit): Up to 6hours per day. Off track and above bush line travel to be expected. Varied and challenging terrain. Experience, fitness and stamina necessary. No need to carry tents.
All members of the Fit party should be equipped with tents.
Registrants required to have completed a River Crossing Course
Out Party 1 - Stage 1 Limit 5
Topo maps
Leader:
28th December: Cobb House
29th December: Sylvester Hut
Out Party 2 - Stage 1 Limit 5
Leader:
28th December:
29th December:
Topo maps
STAGE 2 M/F (Medium/Fit)
Leader:
30th December:
31st December:
1st January:
2nd January:
3rd January:
A non-refundable deposit of $100 must be paid by 31 July and the balance by 31 October. For cancellations after 31 October, trip costs will be refunded only if a replacement takes up the place.
Booking
Booking will be available with effect from 9 am on Saturday 27th June – online only on our website, no texts or emails. Only paid-up members of the club are eligible to participate, and applications will be approved in order of receipt but only if the applicant is considered to have an appropriate level of physical fitness and experience. In the event of over-booking, unsuccessful applicants will be waitlisted and allocated to a trip if there are any cancellations.
N.B: Before booking your air tickets please ensure your Registration has been approved by the Club’s Health & Safety Guide.
Notes Applicable to All Groups
It goes without saying that all trips are subject to weather conditions. Trip leaders should have a plan B in case inclement weather makes the original plan impractical.
All members of the Out Party Two should be equipped with tents.
For the minivans we have to provide our own drivers. An ordinary Class 1 driving license is sufficient, no need for passenger endorsement.
Please indicate to the Trip Organisers if you are willing to be a driver.
- Final trip routes subject to change depending on weather, track conditions and logistics requirements.
- Successful applicants will be required to pay a deposit of $100 by 31 July with the balance on or before 31 October.
- Refunds for cancellations are subject to the usual Club rules.
