Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Queen Charlotte Track can be enjoyed all year round. The warmest weather coincides
with the NZ school holidays in January, which means the best times to tramp are November,
December and February through April.
WHAT TO BRING
There's little or no shade along some stretches of the track, so bring a wide-brimmed hat,
potent sunscreen, and a large-capacity water bottle. The sweet Sounds' forest is a mecca for
wasps, so bring antihistamines if you are allergic to stings.
MAPS & BROCHURES
NewTopo
Queen Charlotte Track
1:75,000 covers the entire track in sufficient detail.
NewTopo
Marlborough Sounds
1:130,000 may also prove sufficient and is useful for plan-
ning. The track is also covered by
NZTopo50 BQ28
(Havelock),
BQ29
(Waikawa) and
BP29
(Endeavour Inlet). The
Queen Charlotte Track
brochure, available from Marlborough i-
SITES, is useful for planning.
LODGES, CAMPING & PASSES
Unless you're camping, it pays to book your track accommodation way in advance, espe-
cially in summer.
There are no DOC huts along the Queen Charlotte Track, but there are six
Standard
couple of private camping grounds, along with a variety of resorts, lodges, hostels and gues-
thouses.
The district council, DOC, and private landowners manage the track under the umbrella
maintenance and enhancement of the track, a pass is required for all users between Kene-
puru, Torea and Te Mahia Saddles or Anakiwa (a one-day pass costs $10 while the $18 pass
is valid for up to five consecutive days). Passes can be purchased from various accommoda-
tion providers and boat operators near the track, and from Picton or Blenheim i-SITES.
INFORMATION SOURCES
Located 200m from the ferry terminal, Picton i-SITE (
Click here
)
is a one-stop shop for ac-
commodation and transport bookings, DOC maps and hut tickets, and the Queen Charlotte
Track Pass. Picton's DOC Sounds Area Office (
Click here
)
is largely a field office and of-
fers only hut tickets and local tramping information.
