Overview
On this 5 Day Unguided Walking Package, everything is the same as the Queen Charlotte Track 4 Day Independent Walk; with the added bonus of a rest day to explore the Marlborough Sounds.
We will organise your accommodation, luggage transfers, daily lunch and Picton drop off/pickups for walking the New Zealand Queen Charlotte Sounds Track. On a 5 Day Unguided Walking Package 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 71km 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.
Every evening you come to relax at a comfortable accommodation place complete with gourmet restaurant, fine wines and a superb setting.
Furneaux Lodge & Punga Cove Resort
There is a range of private accommodation at the historic Furneaux Lodge, each with stunning views. In the evening dine at their award winning restaurant. At Punga Cove Resort you will relax in our stylishly decorated bush chalets, nestled into the hillside.
Lochmara Lodge
Lochmara Lodge has its own organic garden, as well as a Wildlife Rescue Centre. Learn about the work they do to save native birdlife from introduced predators. At the Arts Centre see the permanent artwork collection from New Zealand and overseas artists. Explore the marine life of Marlborough Sounds at the Underwater Observatory; or visit the Glow Worm Grotto in the evening. On the standard package at Lochmara Lodge you will stay in the comfortable Kotuku, Fantail or Bellbird rooms.
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
Finish: Picton
Includes:
Standard package
- 4 nights standard twin share accommodation
- Water transport to and from track
- Luggage transfers
- Picton accommodation transfers
- Information pack incl. track guide
Meal inclusions
- Day 1 – lunch only
- Day 2 – lunch only
- Day 3 – lunch only
- Day 4 - no meals
- Day 5 – lunch only
Pricing:
Cost per Person 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$1,575
- Child: NZ$1,180
- Single supplement: NZ$900
- 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
On this 5 Day Unguided Walking Package, everything is the same as the Queen Charlotte Track 4 Day Independent Walk; with the added bonus of a rest day to explore the Marlborough Sounds.
We will organise your accommodation, luggage transfers, daily lunch and Picton drop off/pickups for walking the New Zealand Queen Charlotte Sounds Track. On a 5 Day Unguided Walking Package 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 71km 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.
Every evening you come to relax at a comfortable accommodation place complete with gourmet restaurant, fine wines and a superb setting.
Furneaux Lodge & Punga Cove Resort
There is a range of private accommodation at the historic Furneaux Lodge, each with stunning views. In the evening dine at their award winning restaurant. At Punga Cove Resort you will relax in our stylishly decorated bush chalets, nestled into the hillside.
Lochmara Lodge
Lochmara Lodge has its own organic garden, as well as a Wildlife Rescue Centre. Learn about the work they do to save native birdlife from introduced predators. At the Arts Centre see the permanent artwork collection from New Zealand and overseas artists. Explore the marine life of Marlborough Sounds at the Underwater Observatory; or visit the Glow Worm Grotto in the evening. On the standard package at Lochmara Lodge you will stay in the comfortable Kotuku, Fantail or Bellbird rooms.
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 AllWe 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 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.
NB. Optional boat trip to Lochmara Lodge for non-walkers – book at the Punga Cove office (at own cost).
A challenging day on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle near Portage. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. After reaching the end of your walk today, take the road down (left off the main track, right would take you to the Portage Hotel) to Torea Bay where the Beachcomber Cruises water taxi will collect you at approx. 4pm for your transfer to Lochmara Lodge.
Those who feel like a day’s rest can opt for a boat ride around the bays of the Queen Charlotte Sound to Lochmara Lodge.
Accommodation – Lochmara Lodge
Set on the tranquil shores of the Queen Charlotte Sound is the Marlborough Sounds’ only Wildlife Recovery & Arts Centre. This is a place where visitors can learn, interact and appreciate New Zealand’s flora, fauna and art, while still offering a unique accommodation experience in beautiful ensuite units with sea views.
Nestling in 11 acres, the property features aviaries and enclosures with endangered species breeding programs, organic vegetable garden and orchard, educational signage, sculpture trail and art gallery. It also now has its very own fully licensed café and restaurant, where the cuisine is based on sustainability. The cuisine is simple, rustic and full of flavour, using ingredients that truly give you a taste of this beautiful environment, the Marlborough Sounds.
Today is your chance to rejuvenate and relax at Lochmara Lodge. We can arrange guided sea kayaking tours for those interested. Lunch is not included today unless on an organised tour that has been pre-arranged.
Option: 1 Day Guided Sea Kayaking Tour
Experience the beauty and seclusion of the Marlborough Sounds with an awesome little one-day guided sea kayak trip. This tour takes in Queen Charlotte Sound with its sheltered coves, beautiful beaches, azure blue waters and lush native bush – stopping at a secluded beach for a yummy lunch. Learn about the history of the area from our knowledgeable, relaxed and friendly guides. Available on rest day at Lochmara Lodge.
Farewell Lochmara Lodge 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 compete your journey.
Cost per Person 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$1,575
- Child: NZ$1,180
- Single supplement: NZ$900
- 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 AllWe 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 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.
NB. Optional boat trip to Lochmara Lodge for non-walkers – book at the Punga Cove office (at own cost).
A challenging day on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle near Portage. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. After reaching the end of your walk today, take the road down (left off the main track, right would take you to the Portage Hotel) to Torea Bay where the Beachcomber Cruises water taxi will collect you at approx. 4pm for your transfer to Lochmara Lodge.
Those who feel like a day’s rest can opt for a boat ride around the bays of the Queen Charlotte Sound to Lochmara Lodge.
Accommodation – Lochmara Lodge
Set on the tranquil shores of the Queen Charlotte Sound is the Marlborough Sounds’ only Wildlife Recovery & Arts Centre. This is a place where visitors can learn, interact and appreciate New Zealand’s flora, fauna and art, while still offering a unique accommodation experience in beautiful ensuite units with sea views.
Nestling in 11 acres, the property features aviaries and enclosures with endangered species breeding programs, organic vegetable garden and orchard, educational signage, sculpture trail and art gallery. It also now has its very own fully licensed café and restaurant, where the cuisine is based on sustainability. The cuisine is simple, rustic and full of flavour, using ingredients that truly give you a taste of this beautiful environment, the Marlborough Sounds.
Today is your chance to rejuvenate and relax at Lochmara Lodge. We can arrange guided sea kayaking tours for those interested. Lunch is not included today unless on an organised tour that has been pre-arranged.
Option: 1 Day Guided Sea Kayaking Tour
Experience the beauty and seclusion of the Marlborough Sounds with an awesome little one-day guided sea kayak trip. This tour takes in Queen Charlotte Sound with its sheltered coves, beautiful beaches, azure blue waters and lush native bush – stopping at a secluded beach for a yummy lunch. Learn about the history of the area from our knowledgeable, relaxed and friendly guides. Available on rest day at Lochmara Lodge.
Farewell Lochmara Lodge 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 compete your journey.
