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4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Lochmara Lodge Independent Walk

About 73.5km (45.6miles) walking over 5 days

Days
4

Pricing From
$1350

Difficulty

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Overview

Do you prefer everything to be organized for you, but to hike independently, instead of being part of a guided walk? Then our 4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk Package staying at Furneaux Lodge, Punga Cove Resort and Lochmara Lodge, we will arrange your lodging, baggage transfers, daily lunch and Picton drop off/pickups for hiking the New Zealand Queen Charlotte Track. All you must arrange is your breakfast and evening meal!

When English explorer Captain James Cook navigated his way into the calm waters of the Marlborough Sounds in the late 17th Century, he must have thought this was nirvana. Join us for a modern-day expedition in Cook's tracks along the celebrated 71km Queen Charlotte Track. Discover this immense system of sunken river valleys from the unique viewpoint of this well-formed trail. Here luxurious coastal beech forest spreads out to meet lapping tides of constantly shifting hues.

Every evening you come to relax at a comfortable accommodation place complete with gourmet restaurant, fine wines and a superb setting.

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 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

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

4 Day Standard Queen Charlotte Track Independent Walk: Lochmara Lodge, New Zealand

Itinerary

Open All
Day 1Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour InletAbout 17 kms or 6 hours walking

Day 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.

Day 2Endeavour Inlet to Punga CoveAbout 11.5 kms or 4 hours walking

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.

Day 3Punga Cove to Torea Bay/Lochmara LodgeAbout 23.6 kms or 8 hours walking

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).

Option to stay at Portage Hotel instead.

Day 4Lochmara Lodge to AnakiwaAbout 18 kms or 6 hours walking

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 to our office by late afternoon.

Cost per Person 2024-25

  • Adult: NZ$1,350
  • Child: NZ$1,020
  • Single suppement: NZ$680
  • 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 All
Day 1Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour InletAbout 17 kms or 6 hours walking

Day 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.

Day 2Endeavour Inlet to Punga CoveAbout 11.5 kms or 4 hours walking

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.

Day 3Punga Cove to Torea Bay/Lochmara LodgeAbout 23.6 kms or 8 hours walking

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).

Option to stay at Portage Hotel instead.

Day 4Lochmara Lodge to AnakiwaAbout 18 kms or 6 hours walking

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 to our office by late afternoon.

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