Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and wandering albatross all stop by or call this area home. Marine animals are abundant
here due to ocean-current and continental-shelf conditions: the seabed gradually slopes
away from the land before plunging to more than 800m where the southerly current hits the
continental shelf. This creates an upwelling, bringing nutrients up from the ocean floor into
the feeding zone.
The Marlborough Sounds are a mixed bag of habitats, varying from farmland to commer-
cial forestry, regenerating native forest and some that has remained more or less undis-
turbed. The Queen Charlotte and Nydia Tracks offer opportunities to experience this great
diversity. Of particular interest is the remnant podocarp broad-leaved coastal forest, such as
that seen on the Nydia Track. Ngawhakawhiti Bay is a good example of this kind of forest,
with pukatea, tawa, matai, rimu, miro, beech, nikau palm and a colourful blanket of riotous
kiekie. Meanwhile, the Queen Charlotte Track is distinctly divided into three recognisable
forest types, with coastal broad-leaved forest at Ship Cove, regenerating forest from Kene-
puru to Torea Saddles, and mature beech forest between Mistletoe Bay and Anakiwa. Bird
life is prolific. The birds of the forest include tui, bellbird, tomtit and silvereye. In summer
you will hear long-tailed and shining cuckoos, and at night moreporks and weka. Waders are
prominent in tidal estuaries.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Queen Charlotte Track
Duration
4 days
Distance
71km (44 miles)
Track Standard
Easy tramping track
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
Ship Cove
End
Anakiwa
Nearest Town
Picton (
Click here
)
Transport
Boat, shuttle bus
Summary
Tramp around bays and along ridges between Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru
Sounds, combining beautiful coastal scenery with accommodation in interesting lodges,
hostels and resorts.
