Queen Charlotte Track in Comfort

By night, stay in highly rated accommodations along the trail all in exquisite locations, and during the day, walk along ridgelines with unsurpassed views of lush green wilderness. You can also try the famous wines of this region and enjoy creative cuisine with local fresh ingredients. This moderately rated tour immerses you in the stunning coastal landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds, located at the top of New Zealand’s South Island.

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.

Solo Travellers

Most sections of the track are wide and any major streams have been bridged. There is one swing bridge located at Endeavour Inlet but it is wide and sturdy. This tour is rated moderate and enjoyment of any walk is better if you have a reasonable degree of fitness – that does not mean you need to be a marathon runner! If you are active 2 or 3 times a week (walking, golfing, running, gym) then this is an excellent base for doing a multi-day walk like the Queen Charlotte Track. In the lead up to the trip, try to do at least one long walk (up to 8 hours) and also some hill walking as the Queen Charlotte Track does have some steeper sections. Keep in mind the longest day also has an optional boat ride for those who want a day of rest.

On this tour you will stay 3 nights in the top-rated lodges on the track.  This tour’s accommodation is the best these areas have to offer and is extremely comfortable and tranquil.

You will need to book your own pre-tour accommodation in Picton on your arrival day. The same can be said if you want to stay in Picton post tour aswell (there are plenty of options).

Please let your adventure specialist know what accommodation you have booked in Picton so we can arrange the included transfers to/from the water taxi departure point as well as your luggage.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable. We welcome solo walkers on the Queen Charlotte Track, although you should of course take extra care in the outdoors when walking solo and there is also a solo supplement payable.

Meals

3 Breakfasts are included, all continental style. Also included are 4 packed lunches whilst hiking on the track. 3 Dinners are included, at Furneaux Lodge, Mahana Lodge and Lochmara Lodge all of which serve fresh local produce, are renowned for their culinary creativity and have extensive wine lists. It will be a 3-course meal and a set menu.

This track is well signposted and marked. We also provide a track guide and GPX tracks are accessible on the Macs Smartphone App, so you can simply follow the route on your phone if you wish.

The Queen Charlotte Track is very popular and therefore you will have to book quite far in advance in order to be successful for us to confirm the dates you request, especially if you wish to travel in the height of the season which is February and March. You can take this tour anywhere between September and May.  To avoid disappointment please try to plan your trip well in advance (at least 6-9 months), if possible. 

The months of January, February and March, 2024 are particularly busy and in order to confirm a booking during these months it may be necessary to alter the standard itineraries which may involve the changing of some inclusions, overnights etc. 

The best time of year to walk the Queen Charlotte Track is between September and May, during the spring, summer and Autumn/fall months. The weather will be more settled during these times of year, although it can be unpredictable at any time of year.

You can fly into and out of Wellington International Airport and then after this you can take a short flight of 25 minutes (on Soundsair) to Picton Airport. From Picton Airport you can take a bus or taxi to the town centre. Or you can take the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton.  The easiest way to get to the ferry from the airport is to take a taxi, but there are also local buses.

If you are renting a car, it is best to pick up a car in Picton after the walk as the ferry with the car is quite expensive. 

It is also possible to fly into either Christchurch or Auckland Airports and then take short flights to Marlborough Airport in Blenheim. From this airport, you can take a taxi to Picton for around 20NZD and the journey takes about 20-25 mins.

* Please be aware that when booking flights from the UK to New Zealand you will arrive 2 days after you set off and on return you will arrive 1 day after you set off. So, for example, if you leave on a Tuesday you will arrive on a Thursday and on return if you leave on a Saturday you will arrive home on the Sunday. This is obviously because of the time it takes to get there but also because you are travelling back and forth across the International Date Line. Similar principles apply when travelling from other places in Europe and from the USA and Canada. Please make sure that when you book you take this into consideration so that you are arriving on the correct day that the tour begins.

When leaving Picton you can do the same things in reverse.