Overview
Experience the epitome of Marlborough Sounds luxury with our 5-day Queen Charlotte Track Gourmet Guided Walk. Each exhilarating day on the track concludes with a stay at a premium accommodation featuring gourmet dining, fine wines, and a breathtaking setting. Our small walking groups ensure discerning service, meticulous attention to detail, and expert local guides with extensive knowledge of the area.
This tour is the ultimate gourmet package for the Queen Charlotte Track! Enjoy an additional day of relaxation at Portage Bay, where you can unwind, read, join a guided sea kayak tour, or visit the nearby Marlborough wine region.
Follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook, who discovered this paradise in the late 17th century, on a modern-day adventure along the renowned 71km Queen Charlotte Track. Marvel at the lush coastal beech forests and the ever-changing hues of the lapping tides as you explore this unique network of drowned river valleys from the well-formed track. Bliss awaits!
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 journeys.
Details
Difficulty: 3
Start: Picton: Tuesday (early morning)
Finish: Picton: Saturday (late afternoon)
Includes:
- 4 nights superior, seaview twin share accommodation with own private ensuite
- Guiding services
- Water transport to and from track
- Luggage transfers
- Picton accommodation transfer
Meal inclusions
- Day 1 – lunch/dinner
- Day 2 – breakfast/lunch/dinner
- Day 3 – breakfast/lunch/dinner
- Day 4 – breakfast/dinner
- Day 5 – breakfast/lunch
Pricing:
Cost per Person 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$2,900
- Child: NZ$2,175
- Single supplement: NZ$1,000
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: 3-12 years
NZ$250 per person deposit payable on booking, balance due 45 days before travel.
Currency ConverterOverview
Experience the epitome of Marlborough Sounds luxury with our 5-day Queen Charlotte Track Gourmet Guided Walk. Each exhilarating day on the track concludes with a stay at a premium accommodation featuring gourmet dining, fine wines, and a breathtaking setting. Our small walking groups ensure discerning service, meticulous attention to detail, and expert local guides with extensive knowledge of the area.
This tour is the ultimate gourmet package for the Queen Charlotte Track! Enjoy an additional day of relaxation at Portage Bay, where you can unwind, read, join a guided sea kayak tour, or visit the nearby Marlborough wine region.
Follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook, who discovered this paradise in the late 17th century, on a modern-day adventure along the renowned 71km Queen Charlotte Track. Marvel at the lush coastal beech forests and the ever-changing hues of the lapping tides as you explore this unique network of drowned river valleys from the well-formed track. Bliss awaits!
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 journeys.
Boarding Beachcomber Cruises
Overlooking Motuara Island
The Marlborough Sounds
View from the deck at Portage Hotel
Saddleback on Motuara Island
Sunset in Marlborough
The Marlborough Sounds
Hikers on the Queen Charlotte Track
Queen Charlotte Track
Itinerary
Open AllNB. A pre-tour briefing is conducted the day prior to departure. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.
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 a 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 and Punga Cove. 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. NB. Optional boat trip available to Portage Hotel today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Today is your chance to rejuvenate and relax for the day. We can arrange guided sea kayaking if you would like to see the Marlborough Sounds from a different perspective today – or simply put your feet up and read a book. Lunch is not included today unless on an organised tour that has been pre-arranged.
Farewell Portage 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 to Wilderness Guides HQ by late afternoon.
Cost per Person 2024-25
- Adult: NZ$2,900
- Child: NZ$2,175
- Single supplement: NZ$1,000
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: 3-12 years
NZ$250 per person deposit payable on booking, balance due 45 days before travel.
Itinerary
Open AllNB. A pre-tour briefing is conducted the day prior to departure. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.
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 a 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 and Punga Cove. 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. NB. Optional boat trip available to Portage Hotel today for non-walkers (additional cost).
Today is your chance to rejuvenate and relax for the day. We can arrange guided sea kayaking if you would like to see the Marlborough Sounds from a different perspective today – or simply put your feet up and read a book. Lunch is not included today unless on an organised tour that has been pre-arranged.
Farewell Portage 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 to Wilderness Guides HQ by late afternoon.
