Walk New Zealand's Queen Charlotte Track

Welcome to Picton! Hugging the side of the Queen Charlotte Sound, this seaside town is the jumping off point for your explorations of its famous track. Your adventure gets rolling with a 8:30am welcome meeting (or 8am if your departure runs between May and September) where you’ll link up with your local leader and fellow travellers, then it’s a ferry to Meretoto, also known as Ship Cove. Be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins which can often be spotted swimming alongside the boat! Famed for being James Cooks base for his explorations of the country and a place of shelter for the Maori people, take some time to explore the cove while your leader shares its history. Depart Meretoto and begin today’s hike, climbing away from the coastline through untouched forests of ferns and beech – your leader will point out the fascinating and varied plant life as you go. Pause at a lookout point to admire views of the Queen Charlotte Sound, then descend into Resolution Bay and stop for a picnic lunch (please note you should bring your own picnic lunch for today). Follow the shoreline over an old bridle path to the stunning Endeavour Inlet where you’ll have some downtime to kayak, stand up paddleboard or simply stretch out next to the water and relax. Later in the day, continue to your accommodation and settle in for the night.

Wake up to the songs of birds and prepare for another scenic day of walking. Skirt along the coastline through gorgeous native bush while your leader helps you listen for the calls of fantails and bellbirds. Pass by Big Bay, walk through shady forest to Camp Bay, then arrive at the beautiful Punga Cove in the Marlborough Sounds. On arrival, take some time to explore this small but picturesque seaside settlement and perhaps pop into one of the few local eateries for lunch with a view. The afternoon is yours to make the most of your spectacular setting. You may like to hire a kayak to explore the bay’s clear waters, or chill out at your accommodation and make use of the outdoor pool. (B)

Today is your longest day of walking and also offers some of the most jaw-dropping scenery – get ready to give your legs and your camera a good workout! Depart from Punga Cove and follow the ridgeline towards the Kenepuru Saddle. Climb to the Eatwells Lookout, taking in sweeping views of the Marlborough Sounds as your leader points out Cook Strait and the Kaikoura Ranges in the distance, then descend to the Torea Saddle. Walk the final stretch to Portage Bay, your base for the night. With remarkable coastal views emerging with every step, this is sure to be a day to remember. This evening, perhaps join your fellow hikers and enjoy an optional but well-earned three course dinner at the excellent restaurant at your hotel and take the time to reminisce with your group about everything you’ve seen on your journey. (B/L)

Enjoy a morning at leisure to enjoy all that Portage has to offer. You may like to rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard to explore the bay, or perhaps head out snorkelling to discover what lies beneath the water. Then it’s time to leave Portage Bay behind and take a short walk over the saddle to Torea Bay. From here it’s just a quick ferry ride to Picton, where on arrival your adventure will come to an end. (B)