Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are plenty of views of
Endeavour Inlet
on descent, before you bottom out and pass
through a cluster of holiday homes and boat sheds known as The Pines. From here the track
stays in the forest until it arrives at a signposted spur track to Furneaux Lodge, reached 25
minutes from The Pines, or 1½ hours from the saddle.
Furneaux Lodge
( 03-579 8259;
www.furneaux.co.nz;
dm $38, cabins from $45, units
$199-269, meals $20-36)
is a Sounds' stalwart, the highlight of which is the historic lodge
building and epic lawns throughout the resort. This place welcomes pit-stoppers (coffee,
beer, lunch etc), but there's also adequate accommodation to suit most budgets.
Day 2: Furneaux Lodge to Camp Bay
4 HOURS, 12KM
The track wanders through a regenerating forest and then, in 1km, emerges into an open
ins $75-90)
, a retro board-and-batten-bach-style complex. It's a real Kiwi classic, with basic
units and a communal building dotted throughout its hillside gardens.
About 10 minutes past the resort a swing bridge crosses a stream that empties into the in-
let. On the other side is a signposted junction. To the north (right) is the
Antimony Mine
Track
, a two-hour return walk to the narrow and dark remains of abandoned antimony
mines. The Queen Charlotte Track continues south (left fork) as a grassy corridor that hugs
the western side of the inlet.
The track soon climbs away from the shoreline, and for the next 8km passes through re-
generating bush as it skirts the western slopes above Endeavour Inlet. The walking is easy,
with only gentle climbs and descents.
Within 1½ hours of passing Endeavour Resort, the track rounds the ridge separating En-
deavour Inlet from Big Bay and you arrive at a viewpoint into Big Bay, the halfway point
between Furneaux Lodge and Camp Bay. The track swings northwest and in 30 minutes you
cross Big River on a swing bridge. Camp Bay is an hour away, and is reached after a bit of
climbing. This section of the trail can be muddy after rain. Eventually you pass a signposted
junction to Kenepuru Saddle. Turn left and follow a lower track, which breaks out of the
bush at Camp Bay Campsite.
$45, lodge $150-180, chalets $180-450; )
, a rustic but charming resort with a variety of ac-
commodation, including basic dorm rooms. The views easily atone for any rough edges, as
