Key info
Duration: 4 days
Total Distance: 71km (44miles)
Meal Inclusions: Day 1 – lunch/dinner, Day 2 – breakfast/lunch/dinner, Day 3 – breakfast/lunch/dinner, Day 4 – breakfast/lunch
Minimum number of persons: 2
No child rate available. A surcharge of $25 per person applies from 20 December to 31 January for Lochmara Lodge.
Like the idea of having your Queen Charlotte Track experience arranged for you, staying in ensuite-style accommodation and with meals included but still walking independently? The deluxe walk combines our handpicked selection of the track's lodge and hotel-style ensuite accommodation with three course dining, daily packed lunch, luggage transfers and Picton drop off/pickups. After an exhilarating hike each day come to rest at Furneaux Lodge, Punga Cove and Lochmara Lodge. If you would like a trip with an emphasis on lovely accommodation and meal inclusions so you can simply walk and enjoy, this is the perfect package for you!
Duration: 4 days
Total Distance: 71km (44miles)
Meal Inclusions: Day 1 – lunch/dinner, Day 2 – breakfast/lunch/dinner, Day 3 – breakfast/lunch/dinner, Day 4 – breakfast/lunch
Minimum number of persons: 2
Day 1 – Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour Inlet
We collect you from your accommodation in Picton to join the water taxi to Ship Cove where your walk begins. This scenic and historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s as well as being a site of significance for local Maori. Bush is mainly a mixture of stunning podocarp and beech forest with ponga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your walk concludes at the historic Furneaux Lodge.
Day 2 – Endeavour Inlet to Punga Cove
Today’s coastal walk takes you from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove through mostly regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other New Zealand native birds. From Furneaux Lodge, the track continues through native bush and over a small swing bridge to the head of Endeavour Inlet. Pause there to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay where pristine native beech forest awaits before working your way towards Camp Bay and, five minutes on from there, your accommodation for the evening at Punga Cove.
Day 3 – Punga Cove to Torea Bay
A challenging but rewarding day on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle. Truly grand views abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. Stare in awe at the sunken river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds from the iconic Eatwell’s Lookout. At different times you can see both the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds as you walk. This is a truly spectacular section of the track. Those who feel like a day’s rest today can opt for a boat ride around the bays’ of the Queen Charlotte Sound. At the end of today's walk, continue down from Torea Saddle into Torea Bay to meet your water taxi transfer. After a short boat ride around the bay, you will arrive at Lochmara Lodge for tonight's accommodation.
NB. Optional boat trip available to Lochmara Lodge today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Day 4 – Lochmara Lodge to Anakiwa
Leaving the tranquility of Lochmara Lodge, you depart on foot following the signs up through to the access trail at the top of the resort grounds. The trail runs high along the bay, before rejoining the Queen Charlotte track and continues to climb up and around Onahau peak. Follow the signage before continuing through beautiful regenerating forest until the picturesque Grove arm lookout. Soon you will be back down to sea level and before you know it the final 1 kilometer will be under your boots. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty to Picton, arriving back to Wilderness Guides HQ by late afternoon.
Day | Distance | Time |
1 | 17km (10.6miles) | 6 hrs |
2 | 11.5km (7.3miles) | 4 hrs |
3 | 24.5km (15.2miles) | 8 hrs |
4 | 18km (11.2miles) | 6 hrs |
For those that want the added value of a local guide who will attend to every need as well as provide full interpretation on the area, this is the perfect way to start your Queen Charlotte Track experience. Your first day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Many beautiful views are to be had across the Marlborough Sounds. Your informative local guide will explain the European and Maori connections of this significant historical area as well as provide detailed information on flora and fauna along the trail and general track advice. You are then well equipped to continue on your way for the remainder of your independent track experience.
Our team live, work and play in this fantastic region - your guides are local people. Call us on +64 3 5735432. Freephone (NZ only): 0800 266 266. Freephone (Aus only): 1800 281 827