Walking or biking the Queen Charlotte Track is a spectacular way of experiencing the
natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. The Track follows the coast of Queen Charlotte Sound from
historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa. While walking the 71 km long track you pass through coastal forest,
secluded coves and beaches, then alongside farmland and up onto skyline ridges giving you unsurpassed
views of both Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. The Track is suitable for people of all ages and
average fitness.
Ship Cove is probably where you will start your walk. One of the Picton water taxi companies will take
you there (about 1 1.5 hours boat trip from Picton) If you want they will carry your bag for you
between lodges along the track. If you take this option, please try to pack light (preferably one pack
per person maximum 20kg) as all the luggage has to be lifted by hand on and off boats and along paths
and often up ramps or steps to the lodges. It is also helpful if the name on your bag is the same as the
name you have given to the lodges.
SHIP COVE
Spend some time at Ship Cove if you can. It is a beautiful place with a wonderful waterfall and a lot of
information about the area. Long before European settlement in New Zealand Queen Charlotte Sound was an
important trade route for Maori. There were many Maori living in the area because of the excellent
sources of sea food and the reasonable climate. In 1770 Captain James Cook, an early English explorer,
used Ship Cove as an anchorage, and rest place for his men. Between 1770 and 1777 he spent more than 100
days here on a total of five visits and laid the foundation for peaceful negotiations between Maori and
English (Pakeha).
There is more information about the Queen Charlotte Track on www.qctrack.co.nz
Suggested Itineraries for Walking the Queen Charlotte Track
Please note your boat will take you from Picton to Ship Cove to start the walk, and pick you up at
Anakiwa at the end of the walk. The boats will also deliver you to and pick you up from (or nearby) any
of the places listed below if you prefer a shorter walk.
Three Day Walk for the very fit
Day One Ship Cove to Mahana 27 kms 6.5 8 hours
Day Two Mahana to Portage Bay 23 kms 6 7.5 hours
Day Three Portage Bay to Anakiwa 22kms 5.5 7 hours
Four Day Walk for the average walker
Day One Ship Cove to Head of Endeavour Inlet (16km) 4 5 hours
Day Two Head of Endeavour Inlet to Mahana (11 km) 3.5 4 hours
Day Three Mahana to Portage Bay (24 km) 7 7.5 hours
Day Four Portage Bay to Anakiwa (22 km) 6.5 7 hours
If you are walking or biking the track dont forget to have with you sun block, sun hat, insect
repellent, wet weather gear (even in summer) good walking shoes, water, snacks for food along the way
although you can get your main meals at lodges on the track -and a good torch/flashlight (just in case).
There are sections of the track where there is no cell phone coverage, so you wont be able to rely on
your mobile phone.
Biking the Track
The Queen Charlotte Track is open for mountain biking all year round except for the section between Ship
Cove and Kenepuru Saddle which closes for three months in summer December, January and February. If
you dont have your bike with you, bikes are available for hire in Picton. We understand from guests who
stay here that the section of the Track between Ship Cove and Mahana is technically difficult, but the
track from Mahana to Anakiwa is benched and reasonably well surfaced. However, it is a mountain bike
track, not a path, or a roadway. If you do not have much experience with New Zealand mountain biking,
get advice from those that have ridden the Queen Charlotte Track.
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