Queen Charlotte Track — Marlborough Sounds multi-day walk
Is the Queen Charlotte Track one of the Great Walks?
No — it's privately managed by the Queen Charlotte Track Landowners Group, not DOC. Walk fees (NZD 25-45/day) go to landowners for track maintenance. No DOC hut booking required. Water taxis carry your luggage between lodges — one of NZ's few 'lodge to lodge' walk options. 73km from Ship Cove to Anakiwa, 3-5 days.
The Sounds walk with luxury options
The Queen Charlotte Track is 73 kilometres through the forested ridges above the Marlborough Sounds, from Ship Cove (accessible only by water taxi) to Anakiwa near Havelock. It is not a Great Walk — the track crosses private land owned by a consortium of farmers and lodge operators who charge a trail fee and maintain the track themselves. This private management has produced something unusual in New Zealand hiking: a well-developed water taxi network that allows baggage transfer between lodges, meaning you walk with only a daypack while your gear is ferried to the next stop.
The result is one of the more accessible and comfortable multi-day walks in the South Island — suitable for walkers who want the experience without carrying a full multi-day pack.
Quick stats
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Total distance | 73.4 km |
| Total climb | ~4600m (cumulative) |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Walk pass fee | NZD 25-45/day (USD 15-27 / EUR 14-25) |
| Hut/camp booking | Via Queen Charlotte Track Landowners Group |
| Camping | NZD 15-20/night |
| Lodges | NZD 100-350+/night |
| Mountain bike season | 1 December to 28 February for full track (MTB permitted most of year for southern sections) |
Getting to Ship Cove (northern end)
Ship Cove is accessible only by water taxi from Picton. There is no road. The Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike from Picton combines the water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove with a hike back toward Picton — the simplest way to access the northern end. The water taxi from Picton takes approximately 1.5-2 hours (with stops along the Sounds) and costs NZD 55-75 / USD 33-45 / EUR 30-41 one way.
The Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise with Lunch covers the Sounds as a day cruise with Ship Cove stop — an excellent way to experience the scenery without the walking commitment. NZD 110-145 / USD 66-87 / EUR 61-80.
The route sections
Day 1 — Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge (24 km, 7-8 hours)
From Ship Cove — where Captain James Cook anchored five times between 1770 and 1777 (a plaque marks the site) — the track climbs immediately to the ridge. The first day is the longest and most demanding, with cumulative elevation change across multiple small saddles. Furneaux Lodge, at the end of Day 1, is a historic resort lodge at Endeavour Inlet. Accommodation NZD 150-280 / USD 90-168 / EUR 83-154.
Day 2 — Furneaux Lodge to Camp Bay/Portage (22 km, 7 hours)
The middle section crosses to Queen Charlotte Sound at Torea Bay, then continues along the ridge above the sound. Portage Resort is situated at the narrow land bridge between Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound — a historically significant crossing point where Maori carried canoes to avoid the exposed outer sounds.
Day 3 — Camp Bay to Torea Bay (12 km, 3-4 hours)
The southern section is shorter and most accessible for day walkers (water taxi from Picton reaches this end). Well-forested ridges with consistent Sounds views.
Day 4 — Torea Bay to Anakiwa (15.4 km, 4-5 hours)
The finish is less dramatic than the opening — lower ridges, more sheltered. Anakiwa is a small settlement accessible by road from Havelock (30 minutes) or by water taxi back to Picton.
The lodge-to-lodge option
This is what distinguishes the Queen Charlotte Track from most New Zealand multi-day walks. The water taxi network (Endeavour Express and others) allows baggage transfers between any two points on the track — meaning you can carry only what you need for the day.
How it works:
- Leave your overnight bag at your morning accommodation.
- Walk the day’s section with a daypack.
- Your bag arrives at your evening accommodation by water taxi.
- Pay approximately NZD 25-35 / USD 15-21 / EUR 14-19 per bag transfer.
For couples, this is extremely efficient. The cost per person per day adds NZD 12-18 for bag transfer — a small premium for walking without 15kg on your back across 4600m of cumulative climb.
Lodges along the track range from basic backpacker-style (NZD 30-60/night in a dorm) to full resort (NZD 350+ at Punga Cove). Book ahead in December-February.
Mountain biking
The Queen Charlotte Track is one of New Zealand’s best mountain biking routes. Most sections are open to mountain bikers year-round with the exception of the Ship Cove to Kenepuru Saddle section, which is closed to bikes from 1 December to 28 February to protect walkers.
The full track is a 2-3 day mountain bike challenge with demanding technical sections on narrow ridge tracks. Water taxis carry bikes to Ship Cove or any intermediate point. For mountain bikers in summer, the southern sections (Torea Bay to Anakiwa) are always open.
Walk fee and booking
The Queen Charlotte Track levy is not a DOC booking — it’s paid to the landowner group. Purchase the walk pass via the Queen Charlotte Track website or through your lodge accommodation. The daily fee is NZD 25-45 depending on the section.
Unlike DOC Great Walks, there is no annual booking rush. Accommodation (lodges and campsites) requires advance booking in December-February. Outside peak season, the track can usually be done with a few days’ notice.
When to walk
Best months: March and April. Settled autumn weather, reduced crowds, autumn colours in the beech forest, calmer water conditions for water taxis.
December-February: Peak season. All lodges full, water taxis busy. Book accommodation 3-6 months ahead.
May-September: Cooler and wetter. The winter track is quiet and the forest atmosphere is excellent. Some lodges reduce capacity. Water taxis still operate. More challenging weather but rewarding solitude.
Cost breakdown (NZD / USD / EUR)
| Item | NZD | USD | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk pass (per day) | 25-45 | 15-27 | 14-25 |
| Water taxi Picton to Ship Cove | 55-75 | 33-45 | 30-41 |
| Bag transfer per day | 25-35 | 15-21 | 14-19 |
| Lodge accommodation (per night) | 80-350+ | 48-210+ | 44-193+ |
| Camping (per night) | 15-20 | 9-12 | 8-11 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen Charlotte Track hard?
The cumulative elevation (4600m across 73 km) makes it physically demanding over the full distance — comparable to a Great Walk in total effort. Individual day sections range from easy (Anakiwa end) to challenging (Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge). The ability to carry a daypack only (with bag transfer) significantly reduces the physical difficulty.
Can I do just one section as a day walk?
Yes. The Track’s water taxi access means you can drop in at any point. The section from Torea Bay to Anakiwa (15 km, 4-5 hours) is the most popular day walk, accessible via water taxi from Picton.
How does it compare to the Abel Tasman?
Both are coastal/sounds walks with water taxi options and lodge accommodation. The Queen Charlotte is longer, more forested (less beach), and more variable in accommodation style. The Abel Tasman has more consistent sunshine (Nelson-Tasman micro-climate). Both allow mixed walking/water taxi itineraries. See our Nelson vs Marlborough comparison.
Is there mobile coverage on the track?
Patchy to none for most of the track. Some viewpoints on the ridge have coverage. The lodges have WiFi. Download offline maps (Maps.me or NZ Topo50) before departure.