Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Queen Charlotte is a well-defined track, suitable for people of average fitness. Numer-
ous boat and tour operators service the track, allowing you to walk the whole three- to
five-day journey, or start and finish where you like, on foot or by kayak or bike. We're
talking mountain biking here, and a whole lot of fun for fit, competent off-roaders. Part
of the track is off-limits to cyclists from 1 December to the end of February, but there is
still good riding to be had during this time.
Ship Cove is the usual (and recommended) starting point - mainly because it's easier
to arrange a boat from Picton to Ship Cove than vice versa - but the track can be started
from Anakiwa. There's a public phone at Anakiwa but not at Ship Cove.
Estimated walk times:
TRACK SECTION
DISTANCE (KM)
DURATION (HR)
Ship Cove to
Resolution Bay
4.5
1½-2
Resolution Bay to head of Endeavour Inlet
10.5
2½-3
Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay/Punga Cove
12
3-4
Camp Bay/Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage
24
6-8
Torea Saddle/Portage to Te Mahia Saddle
7.5
3-4
Te Mahia Saddle to Anakiwa
12.5
3-4
Sleeping & Eating
The beauty of the Queen Charlotte Track is that there are plenty of great day-trip options,
allowing you to base yourself in Picton. However, there is also plenty of accommodation,
nicely spaced along the way, and boat operators will transport your luggage along the
track for you.
At the self-sufficient end of the scale are six DOC campsites:
Schoolhouse Bay
water supply but no cooking facilities. There's also a variety of resorts, lodges, back-
packers and guesthouses, of which our picks follow below, ordered from Ship Cove to
Anakiwa. Unless you're camping, it pays to book your accommodation waaay in ad-
vance, especially in summer.
Numerous cafes are also dotted along the track, the majority of which will only be in
full swing during high summer. Some - namely those at
Furneaux Lodge
OFFLINE MAP
