Immerse yourself in the area's natural charms by exploring the Queen Charlotte Track. The
67km spectacular walking track, stretching from historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa, passes through
lush coastal forest, around coves and inlets, and along skyline ridges offering breathtaking
views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.
You can walk the entire track over four days or enjoy a short walk depending on your timetable.
With its historic interest and comfortable accommodation serving good food and wine, it's a respite
in paradise.
You can start or finish the walk at any of the points along the way.
Better still, there are guided and freedom walking options available.
Both freedom and guided walkers can have their packs carried for them
from any of the access points along the track by arrangement with transport
operators.
Visit the official Queen Charlotte
Track website for more information.
Marlborough Sounds Activities
For those with a little more time, or seeking something a little different, there are many other
activities that can be enjoyed along the way. These include swimming, fishing, sailing, sea kayaking,
mountain biking, bird watching, diving and historic side trips. Glow worm grottos add to the
walkway's nightlife.
Useful Links: Activities
Picton, Activities
Marlborough Sounds, Activities
Marlborough
Climate
The Marlborough Sounds enjoy a temperate climate which allows good year round walking conditions.
This, along with its high rainfall, contributes to its lushness and beauty.
Past Meets Present
The walkway and its surrounds are part of the special history of the Sounds.
The track itself is based on a network of pioneer day bridle paths -- a humble beginning for
what has become such an outstanding walking track.
The Queen Charlotte Sound, named after the wife of King George the Third, was important for
the Maori. Called Totaranui, the sheltered Sound was used for travel and provided bountiful seafood
for the many Maori who lived there.
In 1770 Captain Cook anchored in Ship Cove, a place of endearing beauty. He stayed there five
times between 1770 and 1777 and this tranquil retreat has remained virtually unchanged from that
time. A town of 400 people lived at the head of Endeavour Inlet in the 1880s, largely working
in the antimony mine. Antimony, a metal used for hardening lead and pewter, was discovered at
the inlet in 1872.
Accommodation, Food & Provisions
Along the track there is resort, chalet, motel, cabin and bunk accommodation,
and tent sites. The Department of Conservation provides campsites at School
House Bay, Resolution Bay, Camp Bay, above the Bay of Many Coves and Kumutoto
Bay, and at Cowshed, Mistletoe and Davies Bays. Shelter, water and toilets
are available at all of these sites.
Useful Links: Accommodation
Picton, Accommodation
Marlborough Sounds, Accommodation
Marlborough
There are a number of dining options along the track, and there are shops at Resolution Bay, Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour Resort, Punga Cove, Gem Resort, The Portage and Te Mahia.
Transport To Queen Charlotte Track
You can choose from a water taxi, launch or yacht, float plane, or road transport to get to
the Queen Charlotte Track.
Sea access is possible at Ship Cove, Resolution Bay, Endeavour Inlet, Camp Bay/Punga Cove, Bay
of Many Coves, Torea Bay/The Portage, Mistletoe Bay/Te Mahia and Anakiwa. A number of companies
offer water transport to and from these points.
Road access is possible at Camp Bay/Punga Cove, Torea Bay/The Portage, Mistletoe Bay/Te Mahia
and Anakiwa. Transport to and from Tirimoana can be arranged.
Useful Links: Picton
Transport, Marlborough
Sounds Transport, Marlborough
Transport
On The Move
The track is best started at Ship Cove but can be walked either way.
- Picton To Ship Cove : The Queen Charlotte experience begins when you leave
Picton bound for Ship Cove. On the way you will see many of the coves, inlets and valleys which
make up the walkway, providing a feast for the eyes and a taste of what is to come.
- At Ship
Cove: Ship Cove is one of New Zealand's historical gems. Tucked away from the elements,
Ship Cove provided a welcome respite for Captain Cook on his various voyages to New Zealand.
Here he found scurvy grass, a soon to be renowned cure for scurvy or vitamin C deficiency.
Ship Cove is now a reserve. An expansive grassed area, it is ideal for picnicking and family
activities. There are toilets, barbecue facilities and a shelter. Camping is not permitted. Before
beginning the Queen Charlotte walkway, you can take a thirty minute side trip to a beautiful
waterfall.
- Ship Cove To Resolution Bay: (4km, 2 hrs) Climbing
away from Ship Cove, the beauty of the walkway is soon revealed. The
panorama of Ship Cove unfolds behind you -- framed by star-shaped tree
ferns scattered on the surrounding hills. A lookout offers a pleasant
respite and good views of Motuara Island and the outer Queen Charlotte
Sound. Beyond it you can make out Kapiti Island and the North Island.
It was from Motuara Island that James Cook declared sovereignty over
the South Island. Now it is a sanctuary for the South Island robin and
the South Island saddle back.
- Resolution Bay To Endeavour Inlet: (10km, 3 Hrs)
From Resolution Bay, the walkway traces an old bridle path through to
Endeavour Inlet. The gentle inclining track passes through stands of
kamahi and then beech forest as it passes over a saddle. The track then
gradually descends through manuka, mahoe, and five finger. Slowly snatches
of the nearby sea and foreshore come into view. Behind Furneaux Lodge
you can walk through a magnificent stand of native rain forest to a
waterfall.
- Endeavour Inlet To Camp Bay / Punga
Cove: (11km, 4 hrs) Once farmland, this part of the walkway has reverted to nature
and the forest is again resplendent. See groves of tree ferns in the gullies, some wearing "skirts" of
old fronds and others standing unadorned such as the tall black tree fern (mamaku). See also
a wonderful predominance of manuka, kanuka and broadleaf species such as five finger on the
slopes. Small stands of original beech and patches of kohekohe/mahoe remain near the sea.
- Punga Cove To Torea Saddle / The Portage: (20.5km, 8hrs) This section is the most challenging and rewarding of the track. Climbing away steeply from Punga Cove, sweeping panoramas of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds come into view. Traversing the ridge, the true magnificence of the Sounds is inescapable.
- The Portage To Mistletoe Bay: (8km, 3hrs) Once again, the walk follows the ridge. The two highest points on the way to Mistletoe Bay are over 400m. From their summits
you get a strong feeling that Kenepuru, Mahau and Queen Charlotte Sounds are indeed the sunken
valleys between the peaks and ridges you are walking on. Before dropping into Mistletoe Bay/Te
Mahia, take a short side trip to a lookout over lovely views of the waterways below and see the
ridge you have travelled along stretching back to the east.
- Mistletoe Bay To Anakiwa: (12.5km, 4 hrs) This last section follows old bridle paths above Onahau Bay, skirting some farm paddocks and then passing through rapidly regenerating forest.
An information kiosk with cardphone is available at Anakiwa. Shuttle bus or boat transport should be organised prior to arrival.
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