Queen Charlotte Track in Comfort
4 Days & 3 Nights 5 Read 2 reviews- Walk the Queen Charlotte Track, staying in tranquil lodges and a luxury B&B
- Picton, a picturesque harbour town and gateway to this classic track
- Delicious dinners made of fresh local produce and with extensive wine lists
- Bays, inlets, islands and peninsulas rising from turquoise waters
- Ship Cove, favourite anchorage of Captain Cook in the 1770’s
Walk the Queen Charlotte Track, one of New Zealand’s classic coastal trails, whilst staying in stunningly located premier lodges.
Ship Cove, where the trail begins, was Captain Cook’s favourite place to anchor in the 1770’s and according to Maori legend these landscapes are the prows of sunken canoes belonging to Aoraki, their sacred ancestor. Steeped in both Maori and European history it meanders over skyline ridges with constant views of the Marlborough Sounds. Lush forested hills rise steeply from the sea with sheltered coves and sandy bays never far away.
Pause for a dip in the turquoise waters and enjoy the superb local food and Marlborough wine, which this area is famous for.
Tour Type:
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!
Activity:
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
This trip is suitable for:
Solo Travellers
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- Long-Distance Trails
- Winter Sun
- Coastal Walking
Activity Level & Terrain
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.
Navigation
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.
Accommodations
On this Queen Charlotte Track in Comfort tour you will stay 3 nights in top-rated lodges on the track and 2 nights in a luxury B&B in Picton. This tour’s accommodation is the best these areas have to offer and is extremely comfortable and tranquil. Whilst on the track all the lodges have stunning locations.
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 Raehiti 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.
- 3 Nights in superior lodges
- 3 Breakfasts
- 4 Packed lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Transfers from your Picton accommodation to and from the water taxi the morning of your departure and vice versa
- Water taxi to the start of the track and from the end of the track
- Pre-trip briefing from local hosts
- Track Guide and Information Pack
- Access to the Macs Smartphone App with GPS Tracks
- 24-7 Emergency telephone support
- Travel insurance (required)
- Travel to and from Picton
- Pre or post tour accommodation
- Drinks and Snacks
- Personal equipment
- ETA & IVL requests
- Additional nights
- Rental Car
When To Go
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, 2023 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.
Getting to the Start
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.
Getting from the End
When leaving Picton you can do the same things in reverse.
General Information
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
Itinerary
Day 1 Transfer to Picton Waterfront. Water taxi to Ship Cove. Walk to North Eastern Side, Endeavour Inlet 9.5 miles / 15 km Day 2 Walk to South Eastern Side, Endeavour Inlet/Punga Cove 8 miles / 12 km Day 3 Walk to Portage Bay, transfer to Lochmara 15 miles / 23 km Day 4 Walk to Anakiwa, Take water taxi back to Picton. Proceed with onward travel plans. 13 miles / 20.5 kmBlog Articles
The Macs Way
-
Tried & Tested Adventures
-
Freedom
-
Book with Confidence
-
Expertise
-
Positive Impact
- Knowledgeable and helpful specialist trip planners
- Wide variety of tours to suit all interests and experience levels
- Start on any date that suits you
- Choose your ideal trip length and difficulty
- Range of accommodation comfort levels
- Choice of trip styles
- Choose your own travel companions
- Walk, cycle and explore at your own pace
- Make your own decisions
- Choose your own path
- Indulge your passions
- 18,000+ unbiased trip & service reviews
- Feefo Platinum Award 2023
- 25,000+ travelers trust us each year
- As featured in the Guardian, Times, Nat Geo Traveler
- Founder owned & operated since 2003
- 100+ passionate team members across the US, UK & Europe
- Carefully planned adventures
- Quality, hand-picked accommodations
- Seamless and reliable arrangements
- Comprehensive trip information & insider tips
- Detailed maps, route notes and mobile GPS app
- Helpful 24/7 support should you need it
- Travel responsibly
- Explore off the beaten track
- Support locally owned businesses
- Engage with local communities
- Minimize your impact
- Maximize the benefit of your travel
- Challenge yourself & grow