Biking
Mahana Lodge
Biking
Eatwells lookout
  • Length

    72km / 43miles

  • Type

    Walk or Mountain Bike

  • Stay

    Lodges, B&B's, campsites

  • Cost

    Track Pass Required

Guide

Queen Charlotte Track

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.

The 72km Queen Charlotte Track offers a rich history, incredible scenery and the freedom to walk or mountain bike without heavy gear with a network of water taxis available to transfer you to and from the track, and transfer your gear to your accommodation each night.

A full range of accommodation options are available, including luxury water's edge resorts, lodges, holiday houses, backpackers and campsites.

The track is relatively easy walking, taking 3 to 5 days depending on how far you want to walk each day, and is a fantastic mountain bike ride, over 2 to 3 days. The full track is open to mountain biking from 1 March to 30 November each year, with some sections closed outside of these dates. If time doesn't allow you to complete the full track, take a water taxi out and complete just a section from a few hours to a couple of days.

Track Overview

72km one way

Walking
Duration: 3-5 days
Grade: Easier Tramping Track

Mountain Biking
Duration: 2-3 days
Grade: Intermediate (Grade 3) / Advanced (Grade 4)

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QCTrack Inc

  1. Bike Ship Cove to Camp Bay
  2. Bike Camp Bay to Torea Saddle
  3. Bike Torea Saddle to Anakiwa
  4. Walk Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet
  5. Walk Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay
  6. Walk Camp Bay to Torea Saddle
  7. Walk Torea Saddle to Mistletoe Bay
  8. Walk Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa
  9. Ship Cove Waterfall Track
  10. Antimony Mines short walk
  11. Mistletoe Bay short walks
Mondo Kopua

Mondo Kopua Biking enthusiast

“The thing I love about Marlborough, which you see when you cycle it, is the diversity of the landscape. We’ve got high country like up the Awatere Valley, then the Richmond Range, the Marlborough Sounds and all the rivers. Personally I’m an open country, high country farm sort of person. I love getting up in the hills.”

My insider guide to Marlborough

Bike Camp Bay to Torea Saddle

**Queen Charlotte Track Disruption.**

23rd August 2022

The Queen Charlotte Track was impacted by the recent significant weather event which hit Nelson and Marlborough. This event saw a considerable amount of rain over a 48 hour period causing slips and damage to the track and it’s surrounds.

The track, 72 km in length and popular with both walkers and cyclists, will require repairs as a result. The Department of Conservation completed a full assessment post the weather event, identifying parts of the track that will require maintenance.

The required maintenance will restrict access to small sections of the track with both walkers and cyclist diverted from accessing these sections until such time as the repairs have been completed. This will disrupt those planning to walk or cycle the track during this time. To keep up to date with track restrictions visit www.DOC.GOVT.NZ and search Queen Charlotte Track. This site will be regularly updated. If you are planning a trip to complete the Queen Charlotte Track in the near future, please get in contact with your booking agent, local operator or the Picton i-SITE for any additional information.


This is probably the toughest part of the Queen Charlotte Track journey, with some steep climbs and tight turns.

Climb out of Camp Bay to Kenepuru Saddle and head along the ridge lying between the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. Panoramic views of the Sounds will take away any breath you have left.

The track eventually descends to Torea Saddle between Portage and Torea Bay, where you’ll find a DOC campsite at Cowshed Bay, or private accommodation in Portage.

If you’ve still got gas in the tank, carry on to Lochmara Bay, where you drop down through the resort’s nature and art tails to the beachfront restaurant and accommodation.

A soak in the luxury bathtubs, overlooking the Marlborough Sounds, is perfect reward for your hard work.

As parts of this section cross over private land, you'll need to purchase a Track Pass from the Picton, Blenheim or Havelock i-SITE Visitor Information Centres beforehand.

Length

Approx. 4hr / 23 km
Total 900 metre climb

Skill Level

Fit Novice Upwards

Water Taxi Points

Punga Cove, Torea Bay

Camping

Camp Bay campsite (DOC), Bay of Many Coves campsite (DOC), Black Rock campsite (DOC), Cowshed Bay campsite (DOC)

Toilets

Camp Bay campsite, Bay of Many Coves campsite, Black Rock campsite, Cowshed Bay campsite

Water

Camp Bay campsite, Bay of Many Coves campsite, Black Rock campsite, Cowshed Bay campsite

Open

This section is open to mountain biking throughout the year.

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