September Spring Special - 5 Day Freedom Walk - Queen Charlotte Track

Day One – Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge (5.5 hour walk – 17km)
There is no better way to start your walk than boarding The Cougar Line catamaran in Picton and enjoying their award winning service en-route to Ship Cove.   Ship Cove is of worldwide historical significance being the one place that Captain Cook visited 5 times to re-provision his ships.   As you sweep into Ship Cove you will understand why.   A steady climb out of Ship Cove provides unsurpassed views to the North Island.   Follow the track down into Resolution Bay and through to Endeavour Inlet where you spy 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 – 12km)
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 Torea Bay/Lochmara Lodge (8 hour walk – 24.5km)
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 Kenepuru Sound.   The track is very undulating and therefore can be challenging for some people.  Meet your boat at Torea Bay at 4.30pm for the transfer to Lochmara Lodge. Please note with this itinerary you miss 5km of the track from Torea Bay to Lochmara Lodge saddle.

Day Four -Rest Day at Lochmara

On this rest day you have options:
-Rest & relax at Lochmara Lodge,
-Experience the sounds by sea Kayak on a guided trip (pre booking required),
-Walk up to the lookout on the QCT along the section you skipped the previous day

Day Five – Lochmara to Anakiwa (6 hour walk – 17km)

Climb up out of the bay along Lochmara Lodges' track to once again join the Queen Charlotte Track. From the ridgeline there are sweeping views of both the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.  Winding down to sea level you will come upon some particularly 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.   Your water transport collects you and, as you travel back to Picton, you can relax and reminisce on the magic of the last four days.

NON WALKING PARTNERS
Maybe your husband, wife or partner, isn’t so keen on walking, but is keen to have a relaxing four or five day holiday.  Due to the flexibility of water transport throughout the Sounds non walkers can boat each day to the next resort while you are walking with the group.  This is a wonderful option for couples or groups of friends who have mixed fitness levels. Please note, there is an additional charge for some of the transfers.

The package includes:

Pre-trip information
Information pack for use while walking the track
Accommodation, as listed
Packed lunch each day walking
Water transport to the track, transfer tom Torea to Lochmara on Day 3, and transfer back to Picton
Transfer of luggage each day
Use of Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company as a base
Queen Charlotte Track Land Co-op Pass

DEPARTURE DATES
Bookings are subject to accommodation availability.  Once you know your preferred departure date, contact us and we will check availability.  It is helpful if you can also indicate other dates that are suitable around your preferred date, in case your first choice is not available.

DEPARTURE TIMES
You need to meet at our office at least ½ an hour prior to boat departure time on the morning of departure so that we can provide you with your trip information and packed lunch for the day.  We recommend you plan to stay in Picton the night before.  Your boat departs from the jetty outside our office at 9.00am. You will return to Picton on the last day of your trip by boat at approximately 4.00pm.

MEALS
A packed lunch is included in your freedom walk package.  Dinner and breakfast can be purchased at the resorts each day. Facilities are limited (tea & coffee making facilities only) for you to self-cater. This is dependent upon the style of accommodation you are using – please enquire for further details.

LUGGAGE TRANSFER
Your luggage will be transferred each day by water taxi, so walkers only need to carry a day pack with what they require for the day. The cost of the water taxi transferring you luggage is included in the package.

WATER
Drinking water is available at strategic places on the track (please note this water is not regularly tested).  We recommend that you walk with your own bottle that holds approximately 1 litre or more which can be topped up each evening at your accommodation.

WEATHER
July, August and September are between 10-20ºC. You can check on weather conditions in New Zealand on the New Zealand Met Service Web site at www.metservice.com

HOW TO BOOK
Select your preferred departure date from the calendar.  Your enquiry will be processed as "pending supplier". This is because we have to check availability at the properties before confirming your departure.  Once we have a booking in place for you we will send you detail to make the deposit payment ($100 per person).