Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The hugely popular, meandering 71km Queen Charlotte Track offers gorgeous coastal
scenery on its way from historic Ship Cove to Anakiwa, passing through a mixture of
privately owned land and DOC reserves. The coastal forest is lush, and from the ridges you
can look into either Queen Charlotte or Kenepuru Sounds.
Queen Charlotte is a well-defined track, suitable for people of average fitness. The full
length can be completed in three to five days, with Ship Cove the usual (and recommended)
starting point - mainly because it's easier to arrange a boat from Picton to Ship Cove than
vice versa. It can also be walked in sections by hopping aboard numerous boat services. A
good two-day tramp is from Ship Cove to Punga Cove (27km), while a recommended day
walk is from Torea Bay (a short boat ride from Picton) to Mistletoe Bay (9km).
Turn the track into an even more exciting adventure by combining walking legs with
kayaking or biking. In 2013 the track was designated a Great Ride track on the New Zealand
Cycle Trail network. Bikers, however, are banned from using the section between Ship Cove
and Camp Bay from 1 December to the end of February.
Six DOC camping grounds are dotted along the route, while other accommodation ranges
from old-fashioned homestays to luxury waterfront lodges. This accounts, in large part, for
the track's enduring popularity - spend the day tramping, then enjoy a hot shower and a cold
beer at the end of it. Another major plus point of the Queen Charlotte Track is that boat op-
erators will happily transport your pack along the track for you. Trust us: at first this seems
wrong, but soon it feels very, very right!
8
Planning
WHEN TO TRAMP
