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.

Short walks

Save your breath for the breathtaking views and stroll some of Marlborough’s short tracks. A few minutes or hours on your feet can yield big rewards, with easy walks to everything from a seal pup nursery to a golden beach in the Marlborough Sounds.

Short walks in Marlborough
Day walks

From beach trails at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, to sub alpine climbs in the Richmond Range, Marlborough has a range of day walks, whatever your level or choice of scenery. Pack your coat, your lunch and your walking boots, and set out to explore.

Marlborough day walks
Multi-day walks

Trek to a lighthouse at the edge of a reef or a resort at the edge of the Marlborough Sounds. Walk through native bush to a secluded beach, or climb a mountain range to a panoramic view. Stay in a tent, hut or luxury lodge, and choose to carry your luggage or have it taken ahead. The only challenge with hiking in Marlborough is choosing where to go.

Multi-day walks in Marlborough

Roy Grose Director Operations, Northern South Island | Te Tau Ihu

“Marlborough is the mountains to the sea. One day you can be out in the Marlborough Sounds, and the next day be up at Lake Rotoiti. On the way you can stop and pick cherries or have a glass of wine at a cellar door. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

My insider guide to Marlborough

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