Overview
For those looking to hike the Queen Charlotte track independently in New Zealand, without a guide; and looking for superior ensuite rooms with guaranteed sea views, this 4 Day Upgrade Lochmara Lodge Independent Walk is the hike to do. All your water taxi transfers from Picton, baggage transfers and daily picnic lunch are arranged beforehand. At day’s end you stay in the best rooms at Punga Cove Resort, Furneaux Lodge and Lochmara Lodge. Each property has been selected for its outstanding location, complete with spectacular sea views and restaurant with superb views and fine wines. All you need to purchase are your breakfast, dinner and drinks as you hike the track.
At Punga Cove Resort we upgrade you into a Weka or Kingfisher one-bedroom chalets, each with a private balcony. You will stay in the luxurious studio suites at Furneaux Lodge bush retreat with sweeping views of the Marlborough Sounds. Visit the Wildlife Rescue and Arts Centre at Lochmara Lodge, whilst staying in the romantic Kakariki Chalets with views of Lochmara Bay and the Marlborough Sounds.
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 (8:30am)
Finish: Picton (about 5pm)
Includes:
- 3 nights accommodation
- luggage transfers
- daily picnic lunch
- Picton drop off/pickups
Pricing:
Cost per Person 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$1,450
- Single supplement: NZ$780
- 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
For those looking to hike the Queen Charlotte track independently in New Zealand, without a guide; and looking for superior ensuite rooms with guaranteed sea views, this 4 Day Upgrade Lochmara Lodge Independent Walk is the hike to do. All your water taxi transfers from Picton, baggage transfers and daily picnic lunch are arranged beforehand. At day’s end you stay in the best rooms at Punga Cove Resort, Furneaux Lodge and Lochmara Lodge. Each property has been selected for its outstanding location, complete with spectacular sea views and restaurant with superb views and fine wines. All you need to purchase are your breakfast, dinner and drinks as you hike the track.
At Punga Cove Resort we upgrade you into a Weka or Kingfisher one-bedroom chalets, each with a private balcony. You will stay in the luxurious studio suites at Furneaux Lodge bush retreat with sweeping views of the Marlborough Sounds. Visit the Wildlife Rescue and Arts Centre at Lochmara Lodge, whilst staying in the romantic Kakariki Chalets with views of Lochmara Bay and the Marlborough Sounds.
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 Before Departure - 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.
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.
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 catch the waiting water taxi to your night's accommodation at Lochmara Lodge.
NB. Optional boat trip available to Lochmara Lodge today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Farewell Lochmara Lodge and ascend to the ridgeline once again, enjoying stunning views back towards Picton as well as into the turquoise waters of the Kenepuru Sound. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale after four days of walking.
Take time for a photo stop at the picturesque Davies Bay – you won’t want the journey to end. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty to Picton, arriving back by late afternoon.
Cost per Person 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$1,450
- Single supplement: NZ$780
- 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 Before Departure - 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.
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.
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 catch the waiting water taxi to your night's accommodation at Lochmara Lodge.
NB. Optional boat trip available to Lochmara Lodge today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Farewell Lochmara Lodge and ascend to the ridgeline once again, enjoying stunning views back towards Picton as well as into the turquoise waters of the Kenepuru Sound. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale after four days of walking.
Take time for a photo stop at the picturesque Davies Bay – you won’t want the journey to end. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty to Picton, arriving back by late afternoon.
