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5 Day Queen Charlotte Track Standard Gourmet Guided Walk

69 kms (about 24 hrs) walking over 4 days; with 1 extra rest day included

Days
5

Pricing From
$2650

Difficulty

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Overview

This package is pure Marlborough Sounds luxury! After an exhilarating walk each day, at night we come to rest at an upmarket accommodation place complete with gourmet restaurant, fine wines and a superb setting. This tour features small walking groups with an emphasis on discerning service, attention to detail and knowledgeable, local guides with an extensive repertoir on the area. It is THE gourmet package for the track! With this tour, you have the bonus of a day's rest at Portage Bay where you can put your feet up, read a book, join us for a guided sea kayak tour or take a day trip to the nearby Marlborough wine region. Bliss!

When English explorer Captain James Cook sailed into the settled waters of the Marlborough Sounds in the late 17th Century, he must have believed this was paradise. Join us for a modern day journey in Cook's footsteps along the renowned 71km Queen Charlotte Walking Track. Explore this vast network of drowned river valleys from the unique perspective of this well-formed track. Here lush coastal beech forest reaches out to greet lapping tides of ever-changing hues.

Tour Grading: C

  • No hiking experience necessary.
  • You need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic.
  • Terrain mostly tracks.
  • Light day pack carried, with luggage transported by water taxi.
  • Options for non-walkers available

To get to Picton, probably the best way is to take the Interislander Ferry across from Wellington to Picton.

Alternatively you can take the Coastal Pacific Train* up from Christchurch to Picton. 

*The train will have daily departures over summer from 27 September 2019 to 26 April 2020 only. 

Boarding Beachcomber Cruises for the Queen Charlotte Track

Boarding Beachcomber Cruises

Overlooking Motuara Island on the Queen Charlotte Track

Overlooking Motuara Island

The Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds

View from the deck at Portage Hotel on the Queen Charlotte Track

View from the deck at Portage Hotel

Saddleback on Motuara Island in Marlborough Sounds

Saddleback on Motuara Island

Sunset in Marlborough

Sunset in Marlborough

The Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds

Hikers on the Queen Charlotte Track

Hikers on the Queen Charlotte Track

Queen Charlotte Track Marlborough New Zealand

Queen Charlotte Track

Itinerary

Open All
Day 1Ship Cove to Endeavour Inletapprox. 5 hours/14km

NB. A pre-tour briefing is conducted the day prior to departure. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.

We will collect you from your accommodation in Picton to join the boat trip to Motuara Island for a bird sanctuary tour en route to Ship Cove. Learn about the fascinating marine life of this area and, if we are lucky, see dolphins as well! 

Enjoy a short warm up walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary to the lookout - this affords spectacular 360deg views of the Marlborough Sounds - and  see many of New Zealand's endangered bird species. Arrive late morning at Ship Cove to begin our walk. This scenic & historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s. Experience virgin beech forest at its best plus stunning views throughout today's walk.

NB. Our visit to Motuara Island is weather dependent - this is due to the fact there are no toilets or shelter on the island.

Accommodation - Furneaux Lodge 

Built early this century, Furneaux Lodge comprises the original homestead, restaurant, bar, fully self-contained chalets and upmarket studio units in a delightfully picturesque setting. Furneaux Lodge has an excellent restaurant for dinner and/or breakfasts.

Day 2Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay/Punga Coveapprox. 4 hours/12km

Today's mainly coastal walk takes you around the inlet through regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other NZ native birds. Pause at the head of the bay to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay before working your way towards Camp Bay and, five minutes on from there, Punga Cove.

Accommodation - Punga Cove

Nestled amidst the native bush, Punga Cove's well-appointed individual chalets are a welcome respite. The gourmet restaurant with its impressive view caps off a perfect day and is also open for breakfasts overlooking the bay.

Day 3Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/The Portage Hotelapprox. 8 hours/22.5km

NB. Optional boat trip available to Portage for non-walkers (at own cost)

A challenging day on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner - a wonderful reward indeed. Those who feel like a day's rest can opt for a boat ride around the bays of the Queen Charlotte Sound.

Accommodation - The Portage Resort Hotel

Nestled at the narrowest point between Queen Charlotte & Kenepuru Sounds, The Portage Hotel is a well-established accommodation place with a fine restaurant, relaxed cafe & comfortable, recently upgraded natural timber chalets. Breakfasts are available as well in the restaurant from 7am.

Day 4Rest Day

Today is your chance to rejuvenate and relax at The Portage Resort Hotel. We can arrange guided sea kayaking and wine walk tours for those interested. Lunch is not included today unless on an organised tour that has been pre-arranged.

Day 5Torea Saddle/The Portage to Anakiwaapprox.7 hours/20.5km

Farewell Portage Resort and ascend to the ridgeline once again, enjoying stunning views. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty to Picton to complete your journey.

Cost per Person

  • Adult: NZ$2,650.00
  • Child: NZ$1,695.00

Min of 2 people to guarantee a departure.
Pricing is based on twin-sharing studio. If you require triple share, you need upgrade to a 2-bedroom chalet.
Child rate: 3-12 years

NZ$200 per person deposit payable on booking, balance due 30 days before travel.

Itinerary

Open All
Day 1Ship Cove to Endeavour Inletapprox. 5 hours/14km

NB. A pre-tour briefing is conducted the day prior to departure. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.

We will collect you from your accommodation in Picton to join the boat trip to Motuara Island for a bird sanctuary tour en route to Ship Cove. Learn about the fascinating marine life of this area and, if we are lucky, see dolphins as well! 

Enjoy a short warm up walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary to the lookout - this affords spectacular 360deg views of the Marlborough Sounds - and  see many of New Zealand's endangered bird species. Arrive late morning at Ship Cove to begin our walk. This scenic & historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s. Experience virgin beech forest at its best plus stunning views throughout today's walk.

NB. Our visit to Motuara Island is weather dependent - this is due to the fact there are no toilets or shelter on the island.

Accommodation - Furneaux Lodge 

Built early this century, Furneaux Lodge comprises the original homestead, restaurant, bar, fully self-contained chalets and upmarket studio units in a delightfully picturesque setting. Furneaux Lodge has an excellent restaurant for dinner and/or breakfasts.

Day 2Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay/Punga Coveapprox. 4 hours/12km

Today's mainly coastal walk takes you around the inlet through regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other NZ native birds. Pause at the head of the bay to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay before working your way towards Camp Bay and, five minutes on from there, Punga Cove.

Accommodation - Punga Cove

Nestled amidst the native bush, Punga Cove's well-appointed individual chalets are a welcome respite. The gourmet restaurant with its impressive view caps off a perfect day and is also open for breakfasts overlooking the bay.

Day 3Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/The Portage Hotelapprox. 8 hours/22.5km

NB. Optional boat trip available to Portage for non-walkers (at own cost)

A challenging day on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner - a wonderful reward indeed. Those who feel like a day's rest can opt for a boat ride around the bays of the Queen Charlotte Sound.

Accommodation - The Portage Resort Hotel

Nestled at the narrowest point between Queen Charlotte & Kenepuru Sounds, The Portage Hotel is a well-established accommodation place with a fine restaurant, relaxed cafe & comfortable, recently upgraded natural timber chalets. Breakfasts are available as well in the restaurant from 7am.

Day 4Rest Day

Today is your chance to rejuvenate and relax at The Portage Resort Hotel. We can arrange guided sea kayaking and wine walk tours for those interested. Lunch is not included today unless on an organised tour that has been pre-arranged.

Day 5Torea Saddle/The Portage to Anakiwaapprox.7 hours/20.5km

Farewell Portage Resort and ascend to the ridgeline once again, enjoying stunning views. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty to Picton to complete your journey.

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