South Island
NZ$1,710.00
One of the most popular and spectacular treks in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Ball Pass Summit Walk is for experienced hikers.
Climb 850m up to the superbly located Caroline Hut, on the Ball Ridge, straight o...
Overview
This 3 Day Queen Charlotte Track Upgrade Independent Walk is great for those who want to explore the top of New Zealand's South Island but have limited time. This independent walk package includes all accommodation, luggage transfers, daily packed lunch, and water taxi pick-ups or drop offs from Picton are pre-arranged for you. Just organise your breakfast and dinner and you’ll be ready to walk the Queen Charlotte Track!
English explorer Captain James Cook sailed into the settled waters of the Marlborough Sounds in late 17th Century. He must have believed the place was paradise!
Walk in the footsteps of James cook and join us for a modern-day journey along the renowned Queen Charlotte Track. Explore this massive network of drowned river valleys from the perspective of this well-formed trail. Discover lush coastal beech forests, reaching out to greet gentle tides of ever-changing colours.
You come to rest at a comfortable accommodation each night. The property comes with a gourmet restaurant, fine wines, and a superb setting. Standard accommodation 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 (7:15am)
Finish: Picton (4-4:30pm)
Includes:
- accommodation
- luggage transfers
- daily lunch
- Picton drop off/pickups
Pricing:
Cost per Person 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$970
- Single supplement: NZ$530
-
First day guided walk: NZ$295
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
This 3 Day Queen Charlotte Track Upgrade Independent Walk is great for those who want to explore the top of New Zealand's South Island but have limited time. This independent walk package includes all accommodation, luggage transfers, daily packed lunch, and water taxi pick-ups or drop offs from Picton are pre-arranged for you. Just organise your breakfast and dinner and you’ll be ready to walk the Queen Charlotte Track!
English explorer Captain James Cook sailed into the settled waters of the Marlborough Sounds in late 17th Century. He must have believed the place was paradise!
Walk in the footsteps of James cook and join us for a modern-day journey along the renowned Queen Charlotte Track. Explore this massive network of drowned river valleys from the perspective of this well-formed trail. Discover lush coastal beech forests, reaching out to greet gentle tides of ever-changing colours.
You come to rest at a comfortable accommodation each night. The property comes with a gourmet restaurant, fine wines, and a superb setting. Standard accommodation 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 hrs hiking
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 punga 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 Punga CoveAbout 11.5 kms/4 hrs hiking
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 3Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage BayAbout 24.5 kms/8 hrs hiking (or cruise back to Picton)
Two options today:
- 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 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$970
- Single supplement: NZ$530
-
First day guided walk: NZ$295
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 hrs hiking
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 punga 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 Punga CoveAbout 11.5 kms/4 hrs hiking
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 3Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage BayAbout 24.5 kms/8 hrs hiking (or cruise back to Picton)
Two options today:
- 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.
