The Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds is a renowned outdoor adventure destination in New Zealand.
The Queen Charlotte Track is a true gem for nature lovers, history buffs, and adventure seekers alike. Whether you choose to walk or bike it, you're in for an unforgettable experience filled with natural beauty and outdoor exploration in the Marlborough Sounds.
You can set out from Anakiwa and walk to Davies Bay and back or walk to the Mistletoe Bay Eco Village for a water taxi pick up.
For a longer stretch, walk 20km to Lochmara Lodge. Alternatively, talk to boat operators who can drop you at one point of the track in the morning, and pick you up from another in the afternoon.
Queen Charlotte Track Walk Sections
Meretoto / Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet
1-8 hours
Intermediate
Private transport
Anakiwa, Mistletoe Saddle, Torea Saddle and Kenepuru Saddle are all accessible by road. Anakiwa, Mistletoe Bay, Torea Bay, Camp Bay, Endeavour Inlet, Resolution Bay and Meretoto/Ship Cove can be accessed by sea. Many of the short walks can be enjoyed from these places.
Transport operators
A number of companies offer boat transport to and from points along the track, including Meretoto/Ship Cove. Regular and on-demand bus services link Anakiwa with Picton.
Jetties
Many jetties in the Sounds, such as the Outward Bound New Zealand one at Anakiwa, are privately owned. Boat owners can use them for picking up and dropping off passengers and luggage only. Do not tie up or leave your boat unattended at any jetty in the Sounds.
A Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (Q.C.T.L.C.) Pass is required for all Q.C.T.L.C. private land between Kenepuru Saddle, Torea Saddle, Te Mahia Saddle and Anakiwa
Day Walks
Walk Time: 2 hours return
Fitness Required: Easy
Approximately 30 minutes drive from Picton to the start at Anakiwa. The track follows an old bridal path from Anakiwa though the beech forest to Davies Bay where there are barbecue facilities, toilets and a campsite area with safe swimming beach.
Walk Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Fitness Required: Moderate
Track Pass Required
Travel by water taxi from Picton to Torea Bay (about 20 minutes). From Torea Bay a short walk up the road takes you to the Queen Charlotte Track. Turn left onto the Track, where there is a steep climb to the highest point on the Queen Charlotte Track. Enjoy views over both the Kenepuru Sound and the Queen Charlotte Sound. The sign showing the way to the privately maintained track down to Lochmara Lodge is about 1 hour after the summit.
Walk Time: 3 Hours
Fitness Required: Moderate
Track Pass Required
Travel by water taxi from Picton to Torea (about 20 minutes). Follow the road for about 15 minutes to the intersection with the Queen Charlotte Track. Turn left onto the Track. From here it is a steep climb (about 45 – 60 minutes) to the highest point on the Queen Charlotte goes through sections of native forest and farm land. It is worth the climb to the top of the Lookout just before you follow the road down to Mistletoe Bay wharf.
Walk Time: 3 - 4 hours return
Fitness Required: Easy/Moderate
Track Pass Required
Travel by water taxi from Picton to Torea Bay (about 20 minutes). Follow the road for about 15 minutes to the intersection with the Queen Charlotte Track and turn right onto the Track. Follow the track northwards to the Black Rock Shelter. The up-hill track goes through some native forest. The views are from the Shelter are well worth the climb. Return the way you came.
Walk Time: 4 hours return
Fitness Required: Easy
Travel by car from Picton to Anakiwa. Follow the old bridal path from Anakiwa through the Beach forest to Davies Bay, and then continue on through mature beech forest to the lookout where 180 degree views of the Queen Charlotte sound provide an excellent photo opportunity.
Walk Time: 4 Hours
Fitness Required: Easy
Travel by water taxi from Picton to the Head of Endeavour Inlet – about 1 ½ hours. The walk takes you through native forest to the site of the old Antimony mine at the head of the Inlet. Take some time to read the interesting interpretation panels there. Following the shore, the path goes though pasture land and then through native forest with views right down the Inlet to the main Queen Charlotte Sound. A relatively easy 4 hour walk to the Camp Bay site, where you can swim and picnic while you wait for your water taxi.
Walk Time: 4 hours return
Fitness Required: Moderate
Track Pass Required
The water taxi will take you from Picton to Camp Bay (about 1 ½ hours). There is a steep uphill climb through forest for about 30 minutes from Camp Bay to the road, then follow the road to Kenepuru Saddle where you rejoin the track. Turn left andd follow the track for about 1 ½ hours until the sign pointing to Eatwell’s Lookout. A further 20 minutes climb to the Lookout. The views all along the track are fantastic, and the 360 degree view from the Lookout is amazing. Return to Camp Bay (down hill all the way) to catch your water taxi back to Picton.
Walk Time: 5.5 hours
Fitness Required: Moderate
Travel by water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove (about 1 ½ hours).Explore the Ship Cove landing which Captain Cook visited during his voyages to New Zealand. The track begins with a climb out of Ship Cove to great views over Motuara Island bird sanctuary and north to the North Island. Continue up over the saddle into Resolution Bay and through regenerating farmland up to the saddle overlooking Endeavour Inlet. Enjoy the view before you start the descent through native forest down to the head of the Inlet. Water taxis pick up at the Furneaux Lodge wharf.
Walk Time: 8 hours return
Fitness Required: Moderate
Track Pass Required
Drive to Anakiwa, and set off along the Track towards Davies Bay. Continue climbing up through the Beech forest. The track takes you through forest, and then open farmland (around 3 ½ hours) until you get to Te Mahia Saddle. At Te Mahia Saddle, you will find the sign to the Lookout, where you can enjoy the views of Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Return the way you came.
Walk Time: 7 hours
Fitness Required: Moderate
Track Pass Required
Travel by water taxi from Picton to Torea Bay (about 20 minutes). Follow the road for about 15 minutes to the intersection with the Queen Charlotte Track. From here it is a steep climb to the highest point on the Queen Charlotte Track. The views look out over Kenepuru Sound and Queen Charlotte Sound. Descend from the summit on through sections of native forest and farm land. The final section of the Track between Mistletoe Bay and Anakiwa takes you through some very fine beech forest. There is a shelter on the wharf while you wait for your water taxi.
Walk Time: 8 Hours
Fitness Required: Moderate
Track Pass Required
Travel by water taxi from Picton to Torea Bay (about 20 minutes). Climb up the road to the intersection with the Queen Charlotte Track. Turn right onto the Track. This is a challenging walk but worth every minute of it. The walk follows the ridge line giving absolutely magnificent views over both Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound. The track goes through native forest at the start of the walk and through pine forest towards the end. You meet the road at Kenepuru Saddle, walk down the road towards Camp Bay or Punga Cove Resort jetty, where your water taxi pick up will be.