The track is very undulating and therefore can be challenging for some people. This 71km walking track is renowned for the uniqueness of its panoramic coastal views, lush coastal forest, resort accommodation and excellent water transport services creating a walk that is challenging yet comfortable. In 1979 the queen charlotte track as it is now known was developed by the department of conservation in conjunction with many local organisations in marlborough. As of 1 july 2010, a queen charlotte track land cooperative q. The track, is one of new zealands leading hiking tracks. The queen charlotte track is a 70km long new zealand walking and biking track between queen charlotte sound and kenepuru sound in the marlborough sounds.
The queen charlotte track runs almost the entire length of new zealands queen charlotte sound. Whether you want to hike, bike, swim, kayak, or simply relax under the sun or the stars, no road inn awaits you. While bookings are not required to enjoy the track it is advisable to book accommodation and transport options in advance. Visitors are able to transfer to any resort or private jetty in the queen charlotte sound.
Its a great way to do the track in 2 3 days, depending on your fitness. Another informative website is a run by a member based marketing organisation for the queen charlotte track. This is how to enjoy the best 24 hours on queen charlotte track, new zealand. The queen charlotte track in the marlborough sounds is located at the top of the south island of new zealand. Begin with a scenic cruise to ship cove and explore one of captain cooks favourite places. Motuara island sanctuary and dolphin watching tour.
The iconic queen charlotte track, stretching from ship cove to anakiwa, is a journey from past to present, via panoramic ocean views, thriving native bush and encounters with the likes of weka, fantail, wood pigeon and even seals. Selfguided queen charlotte track walk from picton 2020. Some sections of the track are difficult and suitable for more advanced riders. During your rest day you may like to take a guided sea kayak trip in the kenepuru sounds to explore the bays and even get a taste of our local green lipped mussels. Whether its one day or five, on foot bike or boat and under summer sun or blindingly blue winter skies, every day is a brilliant day on the queen charlotte track. A side walk leads to a lookout just before the descent to te mahia saddle begins. Queen charlotte cycle track marlborough, new zealand. Experiencing the queen charlotte track could not be easier than with the cougar line. The queen charlotte track stretches 70 kilometres from the legendary ship cove at the head of queen charlotte sound to anakiwa. Our 4 day freedom walk allows the independent walker to enjoy the track in a hasslefree adventure. The day hikes offer a great way to experience the natural beauty of. The queen charlotte track is regarded as a technical track so to ride the whole track, you need to be a reasonably skilled rider.
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. In 1998 the track won the new zealand tourism award for best visitor attraction. There is also the option to boat on any day if you. Home beachcomber cruises, marlborough sounds, queen.
Only on marlboroughs queen charlotte can you combine beautiful coastal scenery, native bush and comfortable walking with your. The track is also one of new zealands great rides as part of nga haerenga the new zealand cycle trail. The great track and pack pass is the best for value for transport to and from the queen charlotte track. There are a number of factors that make this track so compelling but a definite plus is the fact that you dont have to carry your pack. Pass is required to walk or ride the track in these sections which are between kenepuru saddle and davies bay near anakiwa.
Getting here is easy by boat from picton, by foot or bike on the queen charlotte track, or by scenic drive. Stunning coastal views and native bush make the queen charlotte track a uniquely marlborough walking and biking experience. Hi all, my partner and i are looking at stopping off and seeing the marlborough sound early january and maybe walk some of the queen charlotte track. This section is the most challenging and rewarding of the track. Glorious views over the magnificent queen charlotte sound, stunning native forest and the welldeserved gourmet reputation of the marlborough area all work in concert to make a tremendously pleasurable immersive experience. How to enjoy the best 24 hours on queen charlotte track, nz. 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 extends from ship cove in the north to anakiwa in the south. The queen charlotte track in the marlborough sounds has rapidly become known as the finest and most diverse coastal track. Our group of 10 friends5 couples have just experienced the most fantastic holiday walking the queen charlotte track,in the marlborough sounds of nz. Nestled in the heart of marlborough sounds, no road inn offers unparalleled serene beauty, privacy, and comfort. There is no time limit on the pass so it allows you to walk or bike the track in however many or few days you choose. While the queen charlotte track is regarded as a classic new zealand walk, it is also regarded as one of new zealands best single track mountain bike rides and became the 21st great ride on the nga haerenga new zealand cycle trail in march 20.
Choose from a variety of packages including the standard, upgrade or boutique package each offering different levels of accommodation and enjoy the opportunity to stay in luxurious rooms as you wander through some of the most scenic. We provide several, quite distinctly different unguided packages to suit various tastes and styles of your walking experience of the queen charlotte track and cater to all needs and expectations. The queen charlotte track is one of new zealands many beautiful trails which offers splendid views, great paths through lush bush and encounters with native birds. There is also the option to boat on any day if you prefer at additional cost. Yr weather forecast for queen charlotte walking track. Captain james cook, the first european to set foot on new zealand soil, named queen charlotte sound and ship cove, where. While the queen charlotte track is not a steep track it is a long track. Much of the queen charlotte track is grade 3 intermediate, although some technical sections bump it up to grade 4 advanced in places. Over the four days you will walk the queen charlotte track from start to finish all 73 scenic kilometres of it. The queen charlotte track the queen charlotte track runs almost the entire length of new zealands queen charlotte sound.
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. Starting in a remote, historic cove in the outer sounds, the track is also accessible from many of queen charlottes most popular bays. The queen charlotte track is the marlborough sounds nz section of te araroa the long pathway, a hiking trail the length of new zealand, from cape reinga to bluff. New zealand, the spectacular queen charlotte track. Explore the marlborough sounds on foot with one of the popular selfguided walks on the queen charlotte track. We are on instant chat, phone and email so can assist you all the way through your booking. Discover historic bays, skyline ridges and and unsurpassed views of the stunning marlborough sounds. The track crosses both private and public land and offers unsurpassed views of the. Queen charlotte track, marlborough sounds tramping new. Queen charlotte track ebike adventure tours of new zealand.
The 70km track follows the coast of queen charlotte sound from historic ship cove to anakiwa. The new zealand cycle trails 22 great rides offer offroad cycling and mountain biking through the countrys most amazing landscapes. The spectacular walking track, stretching from historic ship cove to anakiwa, passes through lush coastal forest, around coves and inlets, and along skyline ridges offering breathtaking views of the queen charlotte and kenepuru sounds. The area gets busy in summer, so be sure to book accommodation, transport and other services well in advance from january through april. This 5 day freedom walk on queen charlotte track is. Cougar line is the leading water transportation company in the marlborough sounds.
At beachcomber cruises we have a number of walk options to make your trip hassle free. 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. The track stretches from ship cove to anakiwa 72 kilometre approximately 45 miles of spectacular walking track passing through historic sites, secluded bays and lush coastal bush. The queen charlotte track is touted as the next new zealand great walk and for good reason. Department of conservation and queen charlotte track inc the queen charlotte track is a 70 km long new zealand walking track between queen charlotte sound and kenepuru sound in the marlborough sounds. Queen charlotte by olwen hedley goodreads share book. The queen charlotte track offers a spectacular journey by foot or bike. 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. Booking queen charlotte sound cruise cougar line new zealand. The queen charlotte sound walk guided and unguided walk in the marlborough sounds new zealand. 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. 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. 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.
The trail itself is beautiful, worth spending all the time you have hiking it, but there are some travellers who might not wish to camp or stay in a hut along the way. Queen charlotte walking track marlborough sounds new zealand. Best to take 2 or 3 days, this ride requires a good level of fitness as there are some steep climbs. Then back to sunny marlborough to have a crack at the 70km queen charlotte track over two days. The track is accessed by boat, so tours include water transfers to and from the track. You can have your luggage carried by boat, whether you choose to stay in a lodge or camp at a conservation campsite. Queen charlotte track picton 2020 all you need to know. 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.
This is where the queen charlotte track s northern terminus is and te araroa follows this track for 35 days and to its end near the outward bound school at anakiwa. Book your tickets online for queen charlotte track, picton. 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. Heres a 25 image slideshow from the queen charlotte track giving an indication of the general track conditions and sights along the way, if you need any further. 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. Sections of the track are on private land and a queen charlotte track land cooperative q. Cougar line offers fast and reliable scheduled daily departures 364 days a year. Dont forget to check out annes blog about hiking the queen charlotte track. If you are less skilled or unsure of your abilities, there are easier options such as the section from waterfall to anakiwa. Queen charlotte track marlborough sounds new zealand. New zealand, the spectacular queen charlotte track stretches. It piqued our interest above all others because of all the great lodges enroute. Visit queen charlotte track on your trip to picton or new zealand.
Begin with a scenic cruise to ship cove and explore one of. The 70 km track was a delightful undulating walk,with a couple of steeper sections. Theres a huge variety of accommodation and cafes along the track, in between the native bush, peaceful inlets and skyline ridges, showcasing the regions famous gourmet. Punga cove stay in marlborough sounds accommodation nz.
Our 5 day freedom walk rest day option allows the independent walker to enjoy walking the whole track, and to have a rest day at the portage on the fourth day. It is possible to walk it in three days, but youll have to move at a much faster pace and will have less time to enjoy the beauty of the area. Jun 12, 2016 queen charlotte track 71km marlborough sounds south island new zealand. Rent a holiday accomodation for short and long term stay on bookabach. C private land only between kenepuru saddle and anakiwa. 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. Mountain biking is a great alternative to walking the queen charlotte track. Highlights of the track include stunning coastal views and continually changing landscapes as you walk from shoreline to ridgeline and around bays, coves and inlets. The land coop pass has been introduced, the cost of this has been included in the price of the freedom walk. It passes through coastal forest, beside secluded coves and beaches, through farmland and traverses skyline ridges with unsurpassed views of both queen charlotte and kenepuru sounds. Book queen charlotte track our active earth adventures site has adventures beyond new zealand as well as cycling, skiing, rafting. Queen charlotte track picton all you need to know before.
Walk as much or as little as you want, and have your gear transported by boat between your overnight stops. Queen charlotte track introduction deep in the heart of the marlborough sounds, south island, new zealand, the spectacular queen charlotte track stretches from the legendary meretotoship cove to anakiwa, home of outward bound new zealands school. Whether it be a one day walk, just a couple of sections of the queen charlotte track or you wish to complete the entire 70 kms. Queen charlotte track accommodation in the marlborough sounds. Biking is permitted on the track all year round except for the section between meretotoship cove and kenepuru saddle, which is closed to bikes over the busy summer season, from 1 december to 28 february each year. As soon as we receive your request we will confirm availability and process your booking. The outer queen charlotte track allows the hiker to explore the wilderness lands north of ship cove including queen charlotte wilderness park, our restricted access natural ecosystem restoration site.
The queen charlotte track is a 71km walk that winds its way between the queen charlotte and kenepuru sounds in nzs marlborough region. Discover 69 holiday homes to book online for your queen charlotte sound, marlborough district holiday. A detailed guide to walking the queen charlotte track in new. Remote and secluded, the queen charlotte sound is a haven for an array of wildlife. About the queen charlotte track queen charlotte track.
Top 50 queen charlotte sound holiday homes bookabach. Embark on one of new zealands most epic walks and get to know the picturesque marlborough sounds area with a 4 day walking tour of the queen charlotte track. The queen charlotte track takes visitors deep into its reaches, revealing many different faces and moods. You can take this tour anywhere between september and may. As you follow the track you may spot dolphins, stingrays and seals, or catch a glimpse of fantails, tomtits, kereru native wood pigeon, and grounddwelling weka. Queen charlotte walk track 6 day selfguided walk new. Regarded as one of the classic new zealand walkways the queen charlotte track is a long track, not a steep track. Book here for your complete unguided queen charlotte track experience including boat transfers, your choice of accommodation and free pack transfers. The trail is well signposted but remote in parts, so riders should carry a map, plenty of water and food, basic tool kit, and cellphone although coverage will be patchy. Mtb queen charlotte track cougar line picton new zealand.
Heralded as one of the countrys premier walking trails the queen charlotte track walkway 70kms is becoming instantly recognised as one of new zealands most scenic and relaxing coastal walks of four or five days duration. Lodge accommodation on queen charlotte track walkway. Queen charlotte track extension outer queen charlotte track. Queen charlotte track is renowned for its contrasting landscape and stunning views, as well as historical landmarks and a wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. Im not a massive walking fan but dont mind a couple of hours if the scenery is worth it. The queen charlotte track is a unique combination of public and private land and runs almost the entire length of new zealands queen charlotte sound. The forecast shows local time for queen charlotte walking 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. Unlike other providers, we include a visit to a predator free bird sanctuary island on route to the start of the track as part of all our packages. Youve summed up the track experience so well and good to hear you celebrated with a cold beer at the end of the day. With a choice of accommodation options ranging from camping to luxury, the queen charlotte track will. From fern fringed bays and lush green forest to stunning skyline vistas its easy to see why. May 05, 2016 explore the magnificent marlborough sounds in new zealand via the 70 km queen charlotte track. Roundtrip boat service takes you to the start of your route and picks you up at the end. Add to shortlist remove from shortlist book now download itinerary request. 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. You are quite welcome to pay either by bank transfer or credit card note. The queen charlotte track is 72km 45 miles long and most people walk it in four days. The queen charlotte track or walkway as it is known is one of the top ten and finest coastal walking tracks in new zealand. It is unique for its stunning coastal views, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. Choose from three walks of varying length and challenge, with options that may include ship cove, endeavor inlet or torea bay.
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