Queen Charlotte Sound Walking Track, South Island,  New Zealand

Stretching from Ship Cove to Anakiwa, this 71km track will wrap you in the mystical beauty that is the Marlborough Sounds, and totally absorb you for four or five magical days.

The Queen Charlotte Track, located at the top of the South Island in the Marlborough Sounds is unique for its stunning coastal views, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. This walk is as much about a walking holiday as it is an environmental, cultural and lifestyle experience.

All guided trips include mature experienced guides, eco tour and dolphin watch experience, accommodation as listed in trip descriptions, all meals, luggage transfers each day, water transfer return at end of walk. All accommodation is based on twin share (except Furneaux Lodge where four people share a two bedroom chalet). All meals are served in the resort restaurants. 

The Freedom Walk option is ideal for those prefering a little more independence but don't want the hassle of organising the walk themselves. This package is designed to allow you to walk the track with maximum comfort and minimum hassle. Because the track can be walked all year round, this package is ideal also for those wanting to walk in the off-season. 

4 Day Guided Walk

Over 4 days, you will cover a maximum of 67 kilometres of well maintained walking track from Ship Cove to Anakiwa. The track is walked at a comfortable pace and clients only carry a light day pack as your luggage is transported on to each accommodation. You need to have an average to above-average level of fitness and in good health, to enjoy this itinerary. The track covers a variety of gradients with some rough surfaces, hence the need for strong comfortable footwear.

Day One (15 kms - 5 hrs)
Your trip begins with a tour with Dolphin Watch Marlborough who take you to visit the bird sanctuary on Motuara Island in the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound. Here you may have the opportunity to see the rare South Island Saddleback and South Island Robin who have been re-colonised on to this island sanctuary. From Motuara Island you will cross the Sound to be dropped off at Ship Cove where you will begin your walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. Ship Cove is one of the most historic areas in the Sounds as it was one of James Cook's most popular destinations on his many world travels. The area is surrounded by bountiful virgin bush and the walk to the top of the ridge provides spectacular views. As you make your way down into Endeavour Inlet, you will spy Furneaux Lodge, your first night's accommodation. Accomodation is in chalets with 2 bedrooms to each chalet. Clients may be sharing with another couple from their group.

Day Two (11.7kms – 4 hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast at Furneaux Lodge you may like to take a walk up to the waterfall and see the magnificent stands of virgin native bush. Re join the track as it winds its way around the coastline to the other side of Endeavour Inlet. Prolific birdsong dominate the day today as you walk through some regenerating bush and virgin native bush. Overnight at Punga Cove Resort in twin share chalets.Dinner is served in the restaurant with a glass of wine.

Day Three (23.6km - 7.5 hrs)
Today you walk from Punga Cove to the Portage Hotel along the ridge between Keneperu and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spectacular views dominated the day as you negotiate the very undulating ridge between the two sounds. This section is considered the most difficult on the track and clients do need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this day. There is the option to take water transport from Punga Cove to The Portage Hotel for those who require a rest! Approximate walking time is 7.5 hours. Upon your arrival at the Portage Hotel, you can rest and relax in the spa and enjoy the view overlooking the Keneperu Sound. Accommodation is in twin share Hillside suites with stunning sea views. Diner will be served in the restaurant with a glass of wine.

Day Four (20.7km - 7.30 hrs)
Your final day on the Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will ascend to a ridgeline track which provides wonderful vistas of the Sounds as you walk along. After Misteltoe Bay, the track sidles along the hill and drops down into Davies Bay before the last half hour through mature beech forest ending at Anakiwa where you are collected by water taxi for the return journey to Picton. Approximate walking time is 6-7 hours.

all inclusive package offers:

• Cheerful, informative guiding
• Wholesome, quality food, a glass of wine with your evening meal
• 3 nights superior twin share en-suite accommodation with sea views
  (studio at Furneaux Lodge, studio chalet at Punga Cove Resort and Hillside suite at Portage Resort Hotel)
• Transport forward of luggage
• Supply of a luggage bag and light day pack while on the trip
• Eco-tour and dolphin watching
• Sea kayaking as above

4 Day Freedom Walk

Day One - Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge (5 hour walk - 14km) Ship Cove is of worldwide historical significance being the one place that Captain Cook visited 5 times to reprovision his ships.  Follow the track down into Resolution Bay and through to Endeavour Inlet into Furneaux Lodge, with its broad sweeping lawns. This historic homestead has a restaurant and bar with chalet accommodation.

Day Two - Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove Resort (4 hour walk - 11.7km)
This gentle coastal part of the track provides a good opportunity for taking a leisurely lunch and stopping to enjoy the plentiful birdlife along the way. Punga Cove Resort, your accommodation tonight, has individual chalets set amongst the bush clad hillside providing stunning views across Endeavour Inlet. Perhaps you might like to soak in the spa or swim in the solar-heated pool before adjourning for wine and dinner in their award winning restaurant.

Day Three - Punga Cove to Portage Hotel (8 hour walk - 20km)
This section is the most challenging and rewarding of the track. Climbing away steeply from Punga Cove the sweeping views begin to appear as you walk along the ridge between the Queen Charlotte and Keneperu Sound. The track is very undulating and therefore can be challenging for some people. As in the old days, Portage Hotel is a welcome respite after a long day.

Day Four - Portage Hotel to Anakiwa (7 hour walk - 20.5km)
Once again the track follows the ridge climbing up to the higest point on the track at 400m. From the summit you have unsurpassed views into the surrounding Sounds. Winding down to sea level you will come upon some particulary beautiful virgin native bush which leaves you with a lasting impression of what must have been before man arrived. The harbour of Anakiwa comes into view and so too does the end of the Queen Charlotte Track.

Five Day Freedom Walk   

Day One to Three as above.

Day Four have a rest day at Portage Resort Hotel.
Rest and relax in the luxury of the Portage Resort Hotel. This recently refurbished hotel, overlooking Kenupuru Sound, has resort facilities including a swimming pool, tennis court, and spa. Or you may like to be more active and go for a game of golf at the local Nopera Golf course, go fishing, or take a guide and go sea kayaking for the day. (all meals, including lunch and activities on this day are to be paid for direct by clients to the hotel).

Day Five walk the last section of the track as per day four of the above

Prices are in New Zealand Dollars for 2006/2007 including GST. We can quote in your own currency. Please ask

NZ$1220 pp

(240single supplement)

NZ$1390pp

(330 single supplement)

NZ$530pp 

(230 single supplement)

NZ$625pp

(295 single supplement)

Upgrade options - Upgrade to Studio Units @ Furneaux Lodge, Kiwi or Weka Suite at Punga Cove Resort, and Hillside Suite @ Portage Resort Hotel
Four Day Freedom Walk- additional $75 per person
Five Day Freedom Walk - additional $100 per person