South Island
NZ$900.00
Spend three days exploring one of New Zealand’s best hiking trails at your own pace, while we take care of the rest for you.
The Abel Tasman coastal track is known for its beautiful golden beaches and lush nati...
Overview
For those with limited time, you can take a 3 Day Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk package from Picton at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. All your accommodation, daily packed lunch, luggage transfers and Picton water taxi pick ups or drop offs are arranged. You can then hike the New Zealand Queen Charlotte Track at your leisure. All you need to organise is your breakfast and dinner!
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 Queen Charlotte 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.
Each night you come to rest at a comfortable accommodation place complete with gourmet restaurant, fine wines and a superb setting. NB. Package price based on standard accommodation - upgrade option available.
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.
*Contact us to book your ferry and train journey
Details
Difficulty: 3
Start: Picton (early morning)
Finish: Picton (late afternoon)
Includes:
- accommodation
- luggage transfers
- daily lunch
- Picton drop off/pickups
Pricing:
Cost per Person 2024-2025
Standard Accommodation
- Adult: NZ$900
- Child: NZ$675
- Single supplement: NZ$475
- First day guided walk: NZ$295
Child rate: 3-12 years
Pricing is based on twin-sharing studio. If you require triple share, you need upgrade to a 2-bedroom chalet.
Minimum two persons; packages can be arranged for singles.
NZ$250 per person deposit payable on booking, balance due 45 days before travel.
Currency ConverterOverview
For those with limited time, you can take a 3 Day Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk package from Picton at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. All your accommodation, daily packed lunch, luggage transfers and Picton water taxi pick ups or drop offs are arranged. You can then hike the New Zealand Queen Charlotte Track at your leisure. All you need to organise is your breakfast and dinner!
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 Queen Charlotte 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.
Each night you come to rest at a comfortable accommodation place complete with gourmet restaurant, fine wines and a superb setting. NB. Package price based on standard accommodation - upgrade option available.
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.
*Contact us to book your ferry and train journey
Itinerary
Open AllDay 1Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour InletAbout 17 kms/ 6 hours walking
Day 0 - A pre-tour briefing is held the day prior to departure. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.
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 2Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay/Punga CoveAbout 11.5 kms/4 hours walking
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, only five minutes on from there is your accommodation for the evening at Punga Cove.
Day 3Punga Cove to Torea Saddle and PictonAbout 25.5 kms/8 hours walking (also a morning water taxi option back to Picton)
2 Options:
- Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay (approx. 8 hours/24.5km)
It’s a challenging day walking on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle near Portage. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. You will be collected from Torea Bay at 4.30pm and return to Picton at 5.00pm approx. - Take the morning water taxi transfer from Punga Cove to Picton
The water taxi will come and pick you up at approx. 10.00am or 11:30am (This time table is valid is from October through to April - return time to Picton 11.30am or 13:00) or pickup at 11.00 (Winter timetable - return time to Picton around 12.30pm). Cruise around the bays and make your way to Picton, arriving there early afternoon.
Cost per Person 2024-2025
Standard Accommodation
- Adult: NZ$900
- Child: NZ$675
- Single supplement: NZ$475
- First day guided walk: NZ$295
Child rate: 3-12 years
Pricing is based on twin-sharing studio. If you require triple share, you need upgrade to a 2-bedroom chalet.
Minimum two persons; packages can be arranged for singles.
NZ$250 per person deposit payable on booking, balance due 45 days before travel.
Itinerary
Open AllDay 1Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour InletAbout 17 kms/ 6 hours walking
Day 0 - A pre-tour briefing is held the day prior to departure. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.
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 2Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay/Punga CoveAbout 11.5 kms/4 hours walking
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, only five minutes on from there is your accommodation for the evening at Punga Cove.
Day 3Punga Cove to Torea Saddle and PictonAbout 25.5 kms/8 hours walking (also a morning water taxi option back to Picton)
2 Options:
- Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay (approx. 8 hours/24.5km)
It’s a challenging day walking on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle near Portage. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. You will be collected from Torea Bay at 4.30pm and return to Picton at 5.00pm approx. - Take the morning water taxi transfer from Punga Cove to Picton
The water taxi will come and pick you up at approx. 10.00am or 11:30am (This time table is valid is from October through to April - return time to Picton 11.30am or 13:00) or pickup at 11.00 (Winter timetable - return time to Picton around 12.30pm). Cruise around the bays and make your way to Picton, arriving there early afternoon.
