Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Explore the Marlborough Sounds on foot with one of the popular self-guided walks on the Queen Charlotte Track. Choose from three walks of varying length and challenge, with options that may include Ship Cove, Endeavor Inlet or Torea Bay. Round-trip boat service takes you to the start of your route and picks you up at the end. The day hikes offer a great way to experience the natural beauty of the Queen Charlotte Track within a shorter time frame. Please note that the return times to Picton and pick up times are on a set schedule, you will not return to Picton until between 5:30pm-6:00pm. Please advise us if you are visiting with a Cruise Ship as our boat timings may not get you back in time for the ships departure from Port.
Inclusions
What's included
- Commentary on board
What's not
- Food and drinks (available to purchase on the track)
- Guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Keep Cups for $6, Available to purchase in the office
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.7
- 561
- 48
- 32
- 20
- 12
Ratings come from 73 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Nice cruise and walk
Friends had walked sections of the Queen Charlotte Track, so we were interested to see "what it was like" We chose Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove, we caught the 9am ferry, nice weather meant it was an easy journey with great visuals. On getting off at Furneaux Lodge the track was very clearly marked, we saw very few people walking in our direction and maybe a dozen the other way (it was quiet) Track was OK in most places, a few inclines and some landslides in areas, though nothing to cause problems. Some of the coastal views were nice, however a lot of the walk is in wooded areas. It was a fairly easy 4 hour walk with rest and photo opportunities, It was a nice walk. Not stunning, good end with a drink and food at Punga Cove before the boat journey to Picton. Enjoyable day and glad we did it.
4This is a good hike over...
This is a good hike over fairly easy terrain. We did the walk from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge in just over 4 hours when it is supposed to take 5.5 hours. Finishing early meant we could spend some time at the lovely Furneaux Lodge, having a beer in the garden sunshine whilst waiting for the return boat. There is a lot of history around this area and shame we didn’t get any commentary at all, despite description on Viator. Boat service was very efficient though and would recommend.
4Spectacular Views!
What a fabulous 1 day walk to see the untouched forest/hills of the South Island. The 17 km walk was a bit more challenging than we had anticipated, however we did make it in 4.5 hours. The trail was uneven and quite rocky in places but a great accomplishment!
5It was a beautiful hike,...
It was a beautiful hike, but glad we only did Furneux Lodge to Punga Cove as 8 miles is more than enough to get a sampling of the beauty. Fortunately it was dry; otherwise it could be challenging without good treads and hiking poles (neither of which we had) My husband and I are 72 and 70. He bicycles 8-10 miles most days. I run 10 miles once a week along with other daily fitness activities . We were both glad when done, but you get plenty of time to complete it. We had a nice drink afterward at the restaurant while waiting for the return boat ride. Also the captain got a bunch of little dolphins swimming around the boat.
5Exciting day
Check in at the warf went very smoothly, the check in staff were very helpful. The water in the sound, just getting to the track, was dicey, very rough waves. . . However, the captain was a professional and got us there safely. Walk was beautiful. Views were utteely amazing. All in all it was a wonderful day.
5Ultra smooth sailing
I took the ferry from Picton to Ship's Cove via Motuara Island, where I stopped to see the wildlife. I only had an hour at the sanctuary before boarding the next boat to Ship's Cove, but it's well worth it as you see and hear lots of birds, and it's interesting from a history perspective. I would definitely recommend this add-on to QCT independent hikers. All the luggage transfers worked seamlessly. My suitcase was brought to my room every day and I never had to carry it. Great service!
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Please meet us at the Beachcomber Cruises Office on the waterfront - the Corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, we are a glass building with Blue Signage.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 20 travellers
- Operated by
- Beachcomber Cruises
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to consume on board
- Closed-toe walking shoes suitable for walking are recommended
- Not accessible for motorized wheelchairs
- We are not able to pick up / drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal - you must make your way to our booking office
- Please note that day walk departure and pick up times are at a set schedule and returns at 5:30pm
- Not suitable for guests visiting by cruise ship due to timings conflicts
- You must have a good level of fitness to achieve the walks in the allotted time
How it compares in Picton
- Its from-price is 47% below the median of the 55 experiences we list in Picton.
- It is longer than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 18 of 55.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Picton
Picton is a small ferry port at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, gateway to the Marlborough Sounds' bays, bush walks, mussel farms and wine country.
Picton lies at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, at the top of New Zealand's South Island, with green hills rising straight from the harbour. Ferries cross Cook Strait from Wellington, and the waterfront is busy with boats, cafés and a small foreshore. The Edwin Fox Maritime Museum shelters the hull of the Edwin Fox, built in 1853, one of the oldest surviving merchant ships in the world.
Top-ranked sights in Picton: Marlborough Sounds.
