Walking the Queen Charlotte Track in Marlborough. Copyright Destination Marlborough
  • Te Araroa Trail

    Welcome to the South Island

  • Queen Charlotte Track

    1 of NZ's iconic walks

  • Short walks

    Plenty to choose from

  • Heritage walks

    Walk through historic sites

Guide

Walks

Get to know Marlborough step by step, via walking tracks to alpine peaks, golden trails on working farms and native bush walks in the Marlborough Sounds.

Marlborough walks can be as challenging as Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku, as beautiful as the Queen Charlotte Track and as relaxing as the Taylor River reserve.

Whether you’re hiking for a day or a week, staying in a tent, hut or lodge, you’ll love the pace of Marlborough.

Start planning your walk with New Zealand Mountain Safety Councils Plan my Walk app. An awesome app that provides you with useful information of particular tracks, alerts, weather and what gear you will need. Click here to check it out

Queen Charlotte Track walk

The 72km long Queen Charlotte Track is a perfect way to take in the intricate land and waterscapes of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds, with stunning ridgeline views across both waterways.

The trip begins with a boat ride through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Ship Cove, famed as Captain Cook’s favourite anchorage.

Your pack can be carried from there by boat, leaving you to walk with a day pack, and evenings can be spent in accommodation ranging from a tent in a DOC campsite through to a 5-star resort, complete with massage and fine dining.

The track ends at Anakiwa, which is home to New Zealand’s Outward Bound School.

The Queen Charlotte Track is one of the Department of Conservation Manaaki Trails, offering an expert guided experience.

Length

3-5 days

Open

All year. However, accommodation options may be more limited May-September.

Pass

Pass required: 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

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