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Length
72km / 43miles
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Type
Walk or Mountain Bike
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Stay
Lodges, B&B's, campsites
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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)
Already done the track?
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Things to know
Find out all the essential information for walking or biking the 72km Queen Charlotte Track in Marlborough. Track passes, getting there and the history.
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Mountain biking
The 72km Queen Charlotte Track is one of New Zealand's Great Rides and one of the longest pieces of continuous single track in the country. You can have your luggage carried by boat, whether you choose to stay in a lodge or camp at a conservation campsite.
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Walking
The Queen Charlotte Track is all about freedom. You can lug a pack, camp at beautiful conservation campsites, and be finished in 3 days. Or carry just your lunch and jacket, stay in lodges along the way and stretch the journey out to 5 days.
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Short walks
The track is accessible by land and water at many places, so if you don’t have time to hike the whole thing you can choose one section and do it in a day.
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Places to stay
New Zealand is spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful walks, but when you find a beautiful walk with beautiful accommodation as well, you are in for a real treat. Whether you’re camping or planning a night of luxury you’re going to love your nights on the track.
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- Bike Ship Cove to Camp Bay
- Bike Camp Bay to Torea Saddle
- Bike Torea Saddle to Anakiwa
- Walk Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet
- Walk Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay
- Walk Camp Bay to Torea Saddle
- Walk Torea Saddle to Mistletoe Bay
- Walk Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa
- Ship Cove Waterfall Track
- Antimony Mines short walk
- Mistletoe Bay short walks

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 MarlboroughWalk Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet
**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.
The Queen Charlotte Track journey begins with a scenic boat ride from Picton to Ship Cove, so grab a coffee, step on board and enjoy a cruise through the magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound.
When you arrive at Captain Cook’s favourite New Zealand anchorage, take time to check out information boards describing its unique history.
Luggage can be left on board the boat and delivered to your accommodation, or carried if you want to work a bit harder.
The track climbs steeply through beautiful bush with a vibrant birdlife, up to a lookout point at the saddle.
From there you’ll drop to Resolution Bay where there is a range of private accommodation and a DOC campsite. Or continue your walk to Endeavour Inlet where the track follows an old bridle path over the ridge and into Endeavour Inlet.
At the shoreline you’ll find information on the antimony mining here in the late 1880s. There’s also an optional short walk to the area where mining took place.
Distance
Distance: 17km
Approx Time: 5 hr
Water Taxi Points
Ship Cove, Resolution Bay, Endeavour Inlet
Camping
Schoolhouse Bay campsite (DOC), Miners Camp
Toilets
Ship Cove, Schoolhouse Bay campsite, Tawa Saddle, Endeavour Inlet
Water
Ship Cove, Schoolhouse Bay campsite
Conditions & closures
See DOC's siteSearch & book
Cougar Line
Cruise, Walk & Lunch at Furneaux Lodge

Picton
$99.00
Beachcomber Cruises
One Way to Ship Cove

Picton
$0.00
Beachcomber Cruises
Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet Pass

Picton
$99.00
Lodge
Furneaux Lodge

Marlborough Sounds
From $320.00
Ferries & Water Transport
Arrow Water Taxis

Boat Cruises
Cougar Line

Picton
From $40.00
Walking & Hiking
Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co

Activities
Natural Encounters Walks

Lodge
No Road Inn

Ferries & Water Transport
Picton Water Taxis

Lodge
The Blue Water Lodge

Walking & Hiking
Wilderness Guides
