Days
4
Pricing From
$2795
Difficulty
3
Popular with hikers and kayakers, you spend time paddling on the sheltered waters, your guide will explain the history of the sunken valleys of the Marlborough Sounds and point out the wildlife that we see.
English voyager Captain James Cook sailed into the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds in the late 17th Century, and must have thought he was in paradise. Today you can follow the legendary 71km Queen Charlotte Track on a present day expedition following in Captain Cook's path. Following the Queen Charlotte Track allows you to discover this immense system of drowned river valleys from the matchless viewpoint of this well-formed track.
On the Queen Charlotte Track luxuriant coastal beech forest reaches out to meet lapping tides of constantly shifting hues. Each night we come to rest at a comfortable accommodation place. This is a luxurious lodge to lodge Queen Charlotte Kayak and Walk - sea kayaking and walking at its best!
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 journeys.
Difficulty: 3
Start: Picton (early morning)
Finish: Picton (late afternoon)
Includes:
Meals Included
Accommodation Included
Pricing:
Cost per Person Oct 2025-2026
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: 8-12 years; mininum age 8yo.
NZ$250 per person deposit payable on booking, balance due 45 days before travel.
Currency ConverterPopular with hikers and kayakers, you spend time paddling on the sheltered waters, your guide will explain the history of the sunken valleys of the Marlborough Sounds and point out the wildlife that we see.
English voyager Captain James Cook sailed into the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds in the late 17th Century, and must have thought he was in paradise. Today you can follow the legendary 71km Queen Charlotte Track on a present day expedition following in Captain Cook's path. Following the Queen Charlotte Track allows you to discover this immense system of drowned river valleys from the matchless viewpoint of this well-formed track.
On the Queen Charlotte Track luxuriant coastal beech forest reaches out to meet lapping tides of constantly shifting hues. Each night we come to rest at a comfortable accommodation place. This is a luxurious lodge to lodge Queen Charlotte Kayak and Walk - sea kayaking and walking at its best!
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 journeys.
Sea Kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds
Kayaker in Marlborough Sounds
Kereru, the New Zealand Wood Pigeon
The Marlborough Sounds
View from the deck at Portage Hotel
Sunset in Marlborough
Love Marlborough
Saddleback on Motuara Island
Hikers in Marlborough Sounds
Ridgeline on the Queen Charlotte Track
The Marlborough Sounds
Overlooking Motuara Island
We will collect you from your accommodation in Picton this morning, introduce you to your guide and then depart on the boat trip to Motuara Island for a tour en route to Ship Cove. Learn about the fascinating marine life of this area along the way and, if we are lucky, see dolphins as well! Enjoy a short walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary to the lookout – this affords spectacular 360 degree views of the Marlborough Sounds – and encounter many of New Zealand’s endangered bird species including the South Island Saddleback (Tieke).
Arrive late morning at Ship Cove to begin the Queen Charlotte Track. 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. NB. The visit to Motuara Island is weather dependent – there is no shelter on the island (nor toilet).
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. Five minutes on from there is 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 to relax at Portage Hotel. NB. Optional boat trip available to Portage Hotel today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Farewell Portage Hotel and, after a safety briefing and once on the water, paddle in and out of the secluded bays and idyllic coves with your Wilderness Guide from Torea Bay towards Picton. Here bush overhangs the water's edge - forest green against the azure blue of the Sound.
After a yummy lunch enjoyed on a secluded beach along the way, we either paddle into Picton Harbour or nearby Ngakuta Bay – paddle time is around 4 hours.
NB. Actual routes may vary depending on weather conditions - we choose the safest and most enjoyable kayaking route on the day but plan to arrive back to Picton by 3.30pm.
Cost per Person Oct 2025-2026
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: 8-12 years; mininum age 8yo.
NZ$250 per person deposit payable on booking, balance due 45 days before travel.
We will collect you from your accommodation in Picton this morning, introduce you to your guide and then depart on the boat trip to Motuara Island for a tour en route to Ship Cove. Learn about the fascinating marine life of this area along the way and, if we are lucky, see dolphins as well! Enjoy a short walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary to the lookout – this affords spectacular 360 degree views of the Marlborough Sounds – and encounter many of New Zealand’s endangered bird species including the South Island Saddleback (Tieke).
Arrive late morning at Ship Cove to begin the Queen Charlotte Track. 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. NB. The visit to Motuara Island is weather dependent – there is no shelter on the island (nor toilet).
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. Five minutes on from there is 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 to relax at Portage Hotel. NB. Optional boat trip available to Portage Hotel today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Farewell Portage Hotel and, after a safety briefing and once on the water, paddle in and out of the secluded bays and idyllic coves with your Wilderness Guide from Torea Bay towards Picton. Here bush overhangs the water's edge - forest green against the azure blue of the Sound.
After a yummy lunch enjoyed on a secluded beach along the way, we either paddle into Picton Harbour or nearby Ngakuta Bay – paddle time is around 4 hours.
NB. Actual routes may vary depending on weather conditions - we choose the safest and most enjoyable kayaking route on the day but plan to arrive back to Picton by 3.30pm.
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