Queen Charlotte Track Walking Itineraries

Queen Charlotte 4 Day Guided Walk

Over 4 days, you cover a maximum of 71 kilometres of well maintained walking track from Ship Cove to Anakiwa. The track is walked at a comfortable pace and you only carry a light day pack as your luggage is transported on to each accommodation. You will need to have an average to above-average level of fitness and be in good health to enjoy this itinerary. The track covers a variety of gradients with some rough surfaces, hence the need for strong comfortable footwear.

Day One
Your trip begins with a tour with Dolphin Watch Marlborough who take you to visit the bird sanctuary on Motuara Island in the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound. Here you may have the opportunity to see the rare South Island Saddleback and South Island Robin who have been re-colonised on to this island sanctuary. From Motuara Island you will cross the Sound to be dropped off at Ship Cove where you will begin your walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. Ship Cove is one of the most historic areas in the Sounds as it was one of James Cook's most popular destinations on his many world travels. The area is surrounded by bountiful virgin bush and the walk to the top of the ridge provides spectacular views. As you make your way down into Endeavour Inlet, you will spy Furneaux Lodge, your first night’s accommodation. Approximate walking time is 5 hours.

Day Two
After a leisurely breakfast at Furneaux Lodge you may like to take a walk up to the waterfall and see the magnificent stands of virgin native bush. Re join the track as it winds its way around the coastline to the other side of Endeavour Inlet. Prolific birdsong dominate the day today as you walk through some regenerating bush and virgin native bush. Walking time is approximately 4 hours.

Day Three
Today you walk from Punga Cove to the Portage Hotel along the ridge between Keneperu and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spectacular views dominated the day as you negotiate the very undulating ridge between the two sounds. This section is considered the most difficult on the track and clients do need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this day. There is the option to take water transport from Punga Cove to The Portage Hotel for those who require a rest! Approximate walking time is 8 hours. Upon your arrival at the Portage Hotel, you can rest and relax in the spa and enjoy the view overlooking the Keneperu Sound. Accommodation tonight is in Hillside Suites.

Day Four
Your final day on the Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will ascend to a ridgeline track which provides wonderful vistas of the Sounds as you walk along. After Misteltoe Bay, the track sidles along the hill and drops down into Davies Bay before the last half hour through mature beech forest ending at Anakiwa where our van will collect you for your return to Picton. Approximate walking time is 6-7 hours.

Cost: NZ$1270 per person (single supplement $245)

Minimum group size: 2 maximum 16 (larger groups by arrangement)
Includes: All accommodation, all meals including glass of wine each night, water transport, eco tour, guide, transfer of luggage each day
Price valid until 30 September 2008

2007/08 Departures:

Oct 1,8,15,22,29
Nov 5,12,19,26
Dec 3,10,17,27
Jan 2,7,14,21,28
Feb 4,11,18,25
Mar 3,10,17,24,31
Apr 7,14,21,28

Queen Charlotte 5 Day Guided Walk

On the 5 day guided walk, you walk the entire track, but take a rest day on the fourth day at Portage Resort Hotel and enjoy the comfort and style of this recently refurbished resort. You may chose to just sit around the pool, have a massage, rest and relax in the peaceful surroundings of the resort, or you may like to take out a sea kayak with your guide for an afternoon paddle.

Refer to the four day guided walk above for the itinerary. Day four is the rest day and day five is the same as day four of the four day walk itinerary.

Cost: NZ$1540 per person (single supplement NZ$350)

Includes: All accommodation, all meals including glass of wine each night, water transport, eco tour, guide, transfer of luggage each day
Minimum group size: 2 maximum 16 (we can take larger groups if required with separate departure dates)
Price valid until 30 September 2008

2007/08 Departures:

Oct 1,8,15,22,29
Nov 5,12,19,26
Dec 3,10,17,27
Jan 2,7,14,21,28
Feb 4,11,18,25
Mar 3,10,17,24,31
Apr 7,14,21,28

Queen Charlotte 4 & 5 Day Freedom Walk

This itinerary allows the independent walker to walk the track in comfort and with ease. The five day option allows for a rest day at Portage Resort Hotel.

NOTE: You will require a good level of fitness to enjoy this itinerary.

Day One
Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge (5 hour walk - 15km)
There is no better way to start your walk than boarding The Cougar Line catamaran in Picton and enjoying their award winning service en-route to Ship Cove. Ship Cove is of worldwide historical significance being the one place that Captain Cook visited 5 times to reprovision his ships. As you sweep into Ship Cove you will understand why. A steady climb out of Ship Cove provides unsurpassed views to the North Island. Follow the track down into Resolution Bay and through to Endeavour Inlet where you spy Furneaux Lodge with its broad sweeping lawns. This historic homestead has a restaurant and bar with chalet accommodation.

Day Two
Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove Resort (4 hour walk – 11.7km)
This gentle coastal part of the track provides a good opportunity for taking a leisurely lunch and stopping to enjoy the plentiful birdlife along the way. Punga Cove Resort, your accommodation tonight, has individual chalets set amongst the bush clad hillside providing stunning views across Endeavour Inlet. Perhaps you might like to soak in the spa or swim in the solar-heated pool before adjourning for wine and dinner in their award winning restaurant.

Day Three
Punga Cove to Portage Hotel (8 hour walk – 23.6km)
This section is the most challenging and rewarding of the track. Climbing away steeply from Punga Cove the sweeping views begin to appear as you walk along the ridge between the Queen Charlotte and Keneperu Sound. The track is very undulating and therefore can be challenging for some people. As in the old days, Portage Hotel is a welcome respite after a long day. The modern chalet-style units have all facilities required for your comfort and their restaurant is renowned for their barbecues and seafood.

Day Four
Portage Hotel to Anakiwa (7 hour walk - 20.7km)
Once again the track follows the ridge climbing up to the highest point on the track at 400m. From the summit you have unsurpassed views into the surrounding Sounds. Winding down to sea level you will come upon some particularly beautiful virgin native bush which leaves you with a lasting impression of what must have been before man arrived. The harbour of Anakiwa comes into view and so too does the end of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your water transport collects you and, as you make your way around the bottom of Queen Charlotte Sound, you can relax and reminisce over the last four days.

Cost: 4 Day Freedom Walk
From $560 per person (single supplement $245)
Includes: All accommodation, packed lunch each day, water transport to and from the track, walking kit, transfer of luggage each day

Cost: 5 Day Freedom Walk
From $650 per person (single supplement $315)
Includes: All accommodation, packed lunch each day, water transport to and from the track, walking kit, transfer of luggage each day
Price valid until 30 September 2008

Ultimate Sounds Adventure - 3 day

Finally, you can do it all in just three days. On the Ultimate Sounds Adventure, spend one day hiking, one day sea kayaking and one day mountain biking. Take in the beauty and magic of the Marlborough Sounds as you travel the length of the Queen Charlotte Track. At night, rest and relax in the peaceful surroundings of your lodge accommodation. Your guide will ensure that you are able to enjoy each day in safety and at your own pace.

Day One – Walking (approximately 5 hours)
Catch a 9.00am water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove in the Outer-Queen Charlotte Sound and the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. Ship Cove is one of the most historic areas in the Sounds as it was one of James Cook's most popular destinations on his many world travels. The track travels from Ship Cove through native virgin bush, over two saddles and down into Resolution Bay and then Endeavour Inlet. At the end of the day your water taxi transfers you down the Queen Charlotte Sound to Portage Resort Hotel for the evening. Bunkroom accommodation at Portage Resort Hotel or you can upgrade to twin share at an additional cost – cook your own meal, or dine in their restaurant

Day Two – Sea Kayaking
A leisurely day’s sea kayaking in the Keneperu Sound. As you paddle from the Portage foreshore on the Keneperu Sound, you may visit a mussel farm, paddle past a ship wreck from a bygone era, or experience a chance encounter with dolphins. You will have time to stop on a tranquil beach where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch, go for a swim or a short bush walk before paddling back to Portage Resort Hotel.

Day Three – Mountain Biking (approximately 4 hours)
There are two options available for today’s ride – the enthusiastic biker can tackle the hill climb from Torea Bay to Waterfall Bay on the Queen Charlotte Track, or take the scenic route along the road to Waterfall Bay. From Waterfall Bay you bike for two hours on the Queen Charlotte Track, cycling around the bays and coves of the Queen Charlotte Sound. This ride is a fitting end to your three day trip as you travel through stunning native bush, glimpse magical water views and finally come to the end of the track at Anakiwa. Cyclists then ride around the bottom of Queen Charlotte Sound to Ngakuta Bay where your van and trailer await, or the keen cyclists can bike back to Picton.

Cost: $495 per person bunk room or $695 twin share (single supplement $225)
Includes: all water transfers, guide, all equipment, all accommodation

Departure: Every Wednesday from November to mid-April

Paddle & Walk - 4 day

This all-encompassing Marlborough Sounds package incorporates the best the Marlborough Sounds has to offer in four days. You will have the opportunity to enjoy two days of gentle sea kayaking, two days of easy walking and an eco-tour and dolphin watching, all with the security and comfort of a guide, comfortable accommodation and delicious food.

This trip is run in conjunction with the 4 Day Guided Walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. 4 Day Paddle & Walk clients join these groups for the first two days and then sea kayak for the last two days.

Day One begins with a 8.15 am meeting at our Picton based office and a dolphin watching experience and eco-tour of Motuara Island. Motuara Island is home to some of NZ’s endangered bird species such as the South Island Robin, South Island Saddleback and Brown Spotted Kiwi. From Motuara Island, Dolphin Watch Marlborough will transfer you to Ship Cove and the start of the Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will be walking to Furneaux Lodge – a 5 hour walk on the track, through some of NZ’s beautiful native bush and stunning views.

Day Two - A gentle walk today around the foreshore of Endeavour Inlet from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove Resort. You will have time to take a side track up to the Furneaux Waterfall, through some spectacular virgin native bush. Birdsong dominates the day today as you walk around the Inlet

Day Three - A water taxi will collect you from your accommodation and transport you to Torea Bay – a 30 minute boat ride back towards Picton. Here your sea kayaks will be awaiting and your guide. (depending on numbers, you may have a different walk guide to sea kayak guide). Our sea-kayaks are large and stable and easy to paddle. Ideally you will be travelling in double kayaks so you can take turns to enjoy the view as you glide past! After a safety briefing and familiarisation with your sea kayak, you will paddle out of Torea Bay and spend the day exploring the many bays, coves and inlets of the Queen Charlotte Sound. At the end of the day you transfer over the hill to Portage Hotel. Here you will be able to catch up with the rest of your group who may have been walking from Punga Cove to Portage Hotel.

Day Four – Your final day of fun and relaxation in the Marlborough Sounds. By now you will be feeling confident and comfortable in your sea kayak and ready for another day of tranquil paddling. Paddling out of Torea Bay the day will be spent exploring the Grove Arm, a particularly beautiful part of the Queen Charlotte Sound. You will paddle back to Picton, arriving at around 4.30pm.

This trip is ideal for any age group as the itinerary for both sea-kayaking and walking is not too strenuous. It gives you an ideal opportunity to enjoy the best of the Sounds - by water and land. We provide guides, all food and accommodation water transfers, sea kayaking equipment and portage of luggage.

Cost: $1,270 per person (single supplement $240)
Minimum 2 people.
Includes: all meals, water transfers, guide and equipment,
twin share accommodation at Furneaux Lodge, share cabin, own room. Twin share, own unit, en-suite accommodation at Punga Cove Resort & Portage Hotel

2007/08 departures

Oct 1,8,15,22,29
Nov 5,12,19,26
Dec 3,10,17,27#
Jan 2#,7,14,21,28
Feb 4,11,18,25
Mar 3,10,17,24,31
Apr 7,14,21,28