4 Day Guided Walk

Our 4 Day Guided Walk on the Queen Charlotte Track is a true walking holiday. These four days will see you experience the splendour of the whole Queen
Charlotte Track.  Highlights of the track include breathtaking coastal views and continually changing landscapes as you walk from shoreline to ridgeline and around bays, coves and inlets. The track will take you through virgin native bush and regenerating farmland, with beautiful native birdsong as background music.

You will have the opportunity to experience extraordinary birdlife encounters, witnessing the endangered South Island Saddleback and South Island Robin in their natural habitat as part of our customised eco-tour of Motuara Island. There’ll also be the possibility of seeing dolphins and other marine wildlife along the way.

At the end of a long day, you will enjoy the comfort and hospitality of resort accommodation, in their superior hotel style rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Strategically located along the track, these resorts provide a comfortable bed, delicious meals and a spa pool to relax in. What better way to rest those weary feet.

One of the other wonderful features of this trip is that you don’t have to carry your pack. We can provide you with a light daypack and your luggage will be transported by water transport each day.

Itinerary

Day 1  Approximate walking time is 6 – 7 hours.  Walking Distance: 17kms

Your trip begins with personalised eco-tour with our guides on board a Cougar Line catamaran. During the morning your guide will share their knowledge of the sea
birds and marine mammals as you travel to Motuara Island in the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound. Here you may have the opportunity to see the rare South Island Saddleback and South Island Robin who have been re-colonised on to this island sanctuary.

From Motuara Island you will cross the Sound to be dropped off at Ship Cove where you will begin your walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. Ship Cove is one of the most
historic areas in the Sounds as it was one of James Cook’s most popular destinations on his many world travels. The area is surrounded by bountiful virgin bush and the walk to the top of the ridge provides spectacular views. As you make your way down into Endeavour Inlet, you will spy Furneaux Lodge, your first night’s accommodation.
Dinner will be served in the restaurant with a glass of wine.

Day 2  Approximate Walking time is 4 hours Walking distance: 12.5kms

After a leisurely breakfast at Furneaux Lodge you may like to take a walk up to the waterfall and see the magnificent stands of virgin native bush. Re-join the track as it winds its way around the coastline to the other side of Endeavour Inlet. Prolific birdsong dominate the day as you walk through some regenerating and virgin native bush.
Your accommodation this evening is at Punga Cove Resort in twin share suites. Dinner is served in the restaurant with a glass of wine.

Day 3  Approximate walking time is 8 hours.  Walking distance: 24.5kms

Today you walk from Punga Cove to the Peppers Portage along the ridge between Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sound. Spectacular views dominate the day as you negotiate the very undulating ridge between the two sounds. This section is considered the most difficult on the track and clients do need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this walk.

Upon your arrival at The Portage, you can rest and enjoy the view overlooking the Keneperu Sound. You will be staying in twin share Tui Terraces , and dinner will be served in the restaurant with a glass of wine.

Day 4  Approximate walking time is 7 hours. Walking distance: 20kms

Your final day on the Queen Charlotte Track, today you will ascend to a ridgeline track providing wonderful vistas of the Sounds as you walk along. After Mistletoe Bay, the track sidles along the hill and drops down into Davies Bay before the last half hour through mature beech forest ending at Anakiwa where your water transport will collect you for your return to Picton.

Arriving in Picton at around 4.30pm, you can enjoy a farewell get together at our base, with a relaxing drink and reminisce over the magic of the last four days.