Queen charlotte track part 1 ship cove to punga cove. All track entrances and junctions have department of conservation signs with directions and distances on them. Mtb queen charlotte track cougar line picton new zealand. Plenty of expensive boutique accommodation to choose from, though, you need to prebook that. May 20, 2019 route description queen charlotte track, marlborough sounds. The track can be comfortably ridden from ship cove to anakiwa in two days by people with a reasonable level of fitness or three days if more time is available. Highlights of the track include stunning coastal views and continually changing landscapes as you walk from shoreline to ridgeline and around bays. Mountain bike queen charlotte track beachcomber cruises. Then back to sunny marlborough to have a crack at the 70km queen charlotte track over two days. However i did not find any detailed, uptodate guides that for the queen charlotte track.
Explore the marlborough sounds on foot with one of the popular selfguided walks on the queen charlotte track. New zealand, the spectacular queen charlotte track stretches from the. There seemed to be an opportunity to write a new guidebook focussed on the track, and possibly a more general guide for active travellers. Book your tickets online for queen charlotte track, picton. Its a great way to do the track in 2 3 days, depending on your fitness. The queen charlotte track map pdf, 787k on this website and in the queen charlotte track brochure is not a route guide and we recommend that walkers and mountain bikers who require more detailed map information purchase a topographic or similar map.
A queen charlotte track land cooperative qctlc pass is required to access privatelyowned land along the track between kenepuru saddle, torea saddle, te mahia saddle and anakiwa as marked on the queen charlotte track map pdf, 787k. Queen charlotte track map 076, 077, 078 northern start ship cove southern end anakiwa distance 66km time 35 days tramping standard easy tramping track. A little further around the bay from punga is mahana lodge, which offers very comfortable accommodation and can offer meals by prior arrangement. Queen charlotte track picton 2020 all you need to know. You can hike or cycle on the queen charlotte track, and although im a keen cyclist myself, because of the nature of the terrain, i would say that hiking would be my number one choice. Queen charlotte drive continues downhill to wind past numerous sleepy bays. You can then hike the new zealand queen charlotte track at your leisure. The flaw in the plan was the subzero temperatures and the rain that was forecast to hit as soon as we got off the ferry.
You can have your luggage carried by boat, whether you choose to stay in a lodge or camp at a conservation campsite. The pass fee contributes to track maintenance, enhancement and access. Queen charlotte track map 076, 077, 078 northern start ship cove southern end anakiwa distance 66km time 35 days tramping standard easy tramping track route te araroas start point in the south island is ship cove note no camping allowed at ship cove. The cool waters of the queen charlotte sounds beckoned this summer and what better way to explore the sounds than by foot. Some private accommodation sites may not be signposted, so make sure you get clear directions when you book. This means that the distances walked each day especially from camp bay to.
Choose your walking cycling distances and accommodation stopovers and enjoy verdant new zealand forest bush with its vocal birdlife, and accommodation to suit your budget. Here are the times and distances for our fiveday queen charlotte track itinerary with a detour to lochmara. There are easy exit points for those not wishing to ride the most technical sections. The track the queen charlotte track is a 71km walk in the marlborough sounds at the top end of the south island of new zealand. The day hikes offer a great way to experience the natural beauty of.
Slight detour to punga cove accommodation contains data sourced from land information new zealand and landcare research under ccby. Queen charlotte track land access fee the queen charlotte track is a unique partnership between the department of conversation, marlborough district council and private land owners. The strong arts and crafts community in this area means there are several opportunities to pause and browse art studios for a special memento or two. This is not compulsary but the water taxis work out best one way as far as bag pick ups go. The queen charlotte track is regarded as a technical track so to ride the whole track, you need to be a reasonably skilled rider. Picton isite picton foreshore po box 29, blenheim 7240 phone.
Queen charlotte track map near queen charlotte, new zealand. Gorgeous coastal views, the stunning marlborough sounds, and native bush the queen charlotte track is utterly unique. It is unique for its stunning coastal views, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. Selfguided queen charlotte track walk from picton 2020. Official mapquest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. Jan 12, 2015 however i did not find any detailed, uptodate guides that for the queen charlotte track.
For those with limited time, you can take a 3 day queen charlotte track independent walk package from picton at the top of the south island of new zealand. Roundtrip boat service takes you to the start of your route and picks you up at the end. The longest dual purpose track in new zealand, broad enough to handle both mountain bikers and walkers with ease, the queen charlotte track is regarded by many bikers as the best track ride in new zealand. Set in the marlborough sounds, and just a short boat ride out of picton, the queen charlotte track is set along the ridge line of the sounds and is a lovely walk incorporating plenty of native green canopy and coastal views. There are challenging climbs and descents for the experienced. Combining the best of new zealand walking and biking with a seamless network of cruise and pack transfers, resorts and lodges and great food and wine, whether youre here for one day or five, the 72 km queen charlotte. This panoramic track offers virgin new zealand bush, exceptional views and accommodation to cater for everyones budget which is made up of camping grounds, backpackers and resorts.
A detailed guide to walking the queen charlotte track in new. The queen charlotte track forms part of the te araroa trail. Queen charlotte track land coop pass important steps have been taken to protect the future of the queen charlotte track to ensure it will always be a place of rare beauty and freedom. Queen charlotte track ebike adventure tours of new zealand. All your accommodation, daily packed lunch, luggage transfers and picton water taxi pick ups or drop offs are arranged. C private land only between kenepuru saddle and anakiwa. The 71km queen charlotte track is for mountain bikers of all levels and is usually completed in twofour days, though it can be completed at your own leisure.
The queen charlotte track is 70km long and can be hiked in 35 days by walkers with a reasonable fitness. Queen charlotte track, marlborough sounds tramping new zealand. Queen charlotte track picton all you need to know before. A detailed guide to walking the queen charlotte track in. Doc campsites private land fees sections of the track cross private land. The queen charlotte track has some advantages over other multi day hikes, the track is walked in one direction only so you do not see too many other hikers, giving a feeling of isolation. How to book a multiday independentfreedom or guided walk or bike. Through the area of linkwater, the road passes along a low saddle. Download a map of the queen charlotte track in the marlborough sounds. For more information about the queen charlotte track, visit. Wow thats fantastic you saw dolphins on the way to your queen charlotte track experience we are so lucky to have a number of different species of dolphin reside in the queen charlotte sound. New zealand, the spectacular queen charlotte track stretches.
The queen charlotte track is very well maintained throughout the 70kms. Te mahia saddle and anakiwa as marked on the queen charlotte track map. Official mapquest maps, driving directions, live traffic. Remote and secluded, the queen charlotte sound is a haven for an array of wildlife. Queen charlotte track marlborough sounds new zealand. Comfortable standard ensuite rooms, luggage transfers and daily lunch.
Our two gorgeous kids have loads of energy and there is no denying daniel and i cannot sit around for too long, so we wanted to plan a holiday that would keep us all happy. Please check queen charlotte track map and marlborough sounds overview. Unlike the abel tasman coastal track the queen charlotte route often winds along the. Hotels near queen charlotte track, picton on tripadvisor. Some sections are easier than others, so if you are looking to do a day trip, check the guide for the best leg for you. The queen charlotte track in the marlborough sounds is located at the top of the south island of new zealand. The longest dual purpose track in new zealand, broad enough to handle both mountain bikers and walkers with ease, and with scenery that will take your breath away its no wonder that the queen charlotte track is regarded by many bikers as the best track ride in new zealand. While bookings are not required to enjoy the track it is advisable to book. The first step in this project was to walk the complete track from ship cove to anakiwa, a distance of about 71km. Te araroa is called the ultimate 5 month new zealand experience but walking sections of the trail, such as the queen charlotte track, is an excellent way to enjoy part of the adventure. A stay on the queen charlotte track can take as many days as you want most. There is also the option to boat on any day if you prefer at additional cost. Incredibly beautiful and rich in human history, the marlborough sounds is a magical place of deep blue bays, beaches, forest and viewfilled ridgelines.
A little further around the bay from punga is mahana lodge, which offers very comfortable accommodation and can offer meals by. The 70km queen charlotte track is one of new zealands great rides and one of the longest pieces of continuous single track in the country. The queen charlotte track is part of te araroa new zealands trail, a 3000km walking trail from cape reinga to bluff which officially opened in 2011. When you have eliminated the javascript, whatever remains must be an empty page. Begin with a scenic cruise to ship cove and explore one of captain cooks favourite places.
If you are going to ride the track, please read our covid19 alert level 2 guidelines. The queen charlotte track offers a spectacular journey by foot or bike. Queen charlotte walkway cougar line picton new zealand. Another hour and a half from furneaux takes you to punga cove where there is accommodation. Then you go with the flow of the majority of the walkers and mountain bike riders.
Queen charlotte walking track marlborough sounds new zealand. Then, head over to nelson for a couple of days riding with friends. Youve summed up the track experience so well and good to hear you celebrated with a cold beer at the end of the day. If you are less skilled or unsure of your abilities, there are easier options such as the section from mistletoe bay to anakiwa. Located in queen charlotte soundtotaranui area in the marlborough region. Discover historic bays, skyline ridges and unsurpassed views of the stunning marlborough sounds. Therefore, distances each day, especially between camp bay and anakiwa can be long and therefore. The land coop pass has been introduced, the cost of this has been included in the price of the freedom walk. Most people start the queen charlotte track in ship cove the furthest point from picton and walk towards anakiwa a 20minute water taxi ride from picton. Mountain bike queen charlotte track marlborough sounds new.
Watch out for and respect other track users, this is a multiuse track. Queen charlotte track map queen charlotte new zealand. Jun 27, 2012 the queen charlotte track is a 71km walk that winds its way between the queen charlotte and kenepuru sounds in nzs marlborough region. It piqued our interest above all others because of all the great lodges enroute. Over the four days you will walk the queen charlotte track from start to finish all 73 scenic kilometres of it. Sep 01, 2014 queen charlotte track land access fee the queen charlotte track is a unique partnership between the department of conversation, marlborough district council and private land owners. The track is very suitable for day visits, and may be walked in either direction. Walking facts queen charlotte track marlborough sounds. The track meanders around coves and inlets with many spots along the way offering truly beautiful panoramas. After mistletoe bay, the track sidles the hill and drops down into davies bay before the last half an hour through mature beech forest ending at anakiwa where your water transport will collect. Booking your transport with the marlborough sounds premier water transport company, the cougar line, is simple book your place on our boat, tell us where you want to go, hand us your pack and sit back and enjoy the wonder of the queen charlotte sounds and track. Road access is available to kenepuru saddle, torea saddle, mistletoe bay, and anakiwa. The queen charlotte track in the marlborough sounds has rapidly become known as the finest and most diverse coastal track in new zealand and wilderness guides can show you the marlborough sounds like noone else.
The majority of the streams are bridged and the track has a wide even camber however it is recommended that walkers wear strong stout footwear suitable for walking in such as well broken in hiking shoes. Queen charlotte track a family adventure hiking nz. The queen charlotte track takes visitors deep into its reaches, revealing many different faces and moods. Today you will ascend to a ridgeline track which provides wonderful vistas of the sounds as you walk along. Mountain bikers of all levels will revel in the undulating landscape of the 71km queen charlotte track.
Experiencing the queen charlotte track could not be easier than with the cougar line. Track users are required to have a queen charlotte track land cooperative q. How to enjoy the best 24 hours on queen charlotte track, nz. Queen charlotte mtb queen charlotte track tripadvisor.