Description: This 48km walk over four days is enough of a challenge that you will feel incredibly proud of your physical achievement, however you’ll have such a social time enjoying the whole experience that you’ll wonder where the days went.

This area, ideally situated between Kaikoura and Blenheim on the South Island’s East coast is steeped in history and rich in flora, fauna and geology, keeping walkers inspired from The Homestead to the Lighthouse.

Your four day walk includes accommodation along the way in four clean, comfortable cottages, each with hot showers and their own individual appeal.

Pack transport is available between each cottage, leaving you free to enjoy the walk with just a light day-pack. Get a group of five together now to enjoy this memorable experience.

Location: Ward, Marlborough (40 minutes south of Blenheim, 1 hour north of Kaikoura)
Prices: NZ$240 per person (includes 4 nights accommodation)

Postal Address: PO Box 1, Ward, Marlborough
Phone: +64 3 5756 876 or +64 3 5756 866
Fax: +64 3 5656 896
Email: walk@capecampbellwalkway.co.nz
Website: capecampbellwalkway.co.nz

Comments: Bookings confirmed on receipt of full payment. Buses will stop at Ward by arrangement, see our web site for details on getting here.

Description: Heralded as one of the countries premier walking trails The Queen Charlotte Track is becoming instantly recognised as New Zealands most scenic and relaxing coastal walks. From fern fringed bays and lush green forest to stunning skyline vistas its easy to see why.

Top this with comfortable accommodation in luxury lodges along with fine dining restaurants and you have all the requirements for a gourmet walking holiday in style.

Walked over four days, The Queen Charlotte Track (71 km, 40 miles) is well maintained with the majority of the streams bridged and has a variety of gradients and surfaces with a wide, compact base, hence stout footwear is advised.

A reasonable level of fitness is required to walk The Queen Charlotte Track, although there are options available if you wish to travel by water taxi from each lodge on any given day of the walk. You only need to carry a light day bag containing your camera, lunch and water bottle as your overnight luggage is transferred by water taxi each day.

The beauty of The Queen Charlotte Track is that it can be walked any season as the Marlborough Sounds enjoys a mild, temperate climate throughout the year. Winter is an ideal walking time with clear, sunny days and fewer people than the more popular summer season.

This trip is perfect for couples, where one choses to walk while the other can relax and travel to each lodge via water taxi.

Location: Opposite the Picton Infomation Center on the Picton Foreshore.
Prices: NZ$ 1150

Contact person(s): G Thomson
Address: 1 Auckland Street, Picton
Postal Address: 12 Amelia Cres, Picton
Phone: 021 713 153
Mobile Phone: 021 713 153
Email: info@natural-encounters.com
Website: www.natural-encounters.com

Comments: Credit Cards accepted.
Luggage transfers from lodge to lodge.
Includes pick up and return transport from Picton accommodation.

Description: The Outer Queen Charlotte Track (previously known as The Captain Cook Trail) is located in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds (the top of the South Island of New Zealand). It runs from Ship Cove (the start of the Queen Charlotte Track) north to the Cape Jackson lighthouse at the extreme tip of Queen Charlotte Sound, and home of Queen Charlotte Wilderness Park.

Traditionally the trail is walked in two stages, each involving a full days walking. Short side trails are dotted along the main track, which lead to places of interest such as the private golden sand beach (a perfect lunch spot) and the historic gold mines.

The trail is about 23km long. That is equivalent to about one third the length of the entire Queen Charlotte Track! Day one is 6-8 hours walking and requires a reasonable level of fitness. Day two is 4-8 hours walking (depending on which side-trails you decide to walk) and consists of easy grade, grass covered tracks, suitable for almost anyone. All or part of the second day can be done as a guided tour on motorbike, horseback, or 4WD vehicle.

If preferred, you may walk either section of the two day trail, instead of the entire trail. Because the trail covers such differing terrain, there is a walk here to suit almost anyone, be it the casual walker of the extremely fit tramper.

Accommodation is in the Wilderness Park Lodge, which has one double and two twin rooms, each with ensuite bathrooms. Evening meals included in tariff.

Location: The beautiful and isolated outer Queen Charlotte Sound, beginning at famous Ship Cove.
Prices: Please see website for full list of prices

Contact person(s): Ron and Gerry Marriott.
Address: Cape Jackson, Queen Charlotte Sound.
Postal Address: Cape Jackson, Rural Bag 363, Picton.
Phone: +64 3 579 9025
Fax: +64 3 579 9125
Email: wilderness@truenz.co.nz
Website: www.truenz.co.nz/wilderness

Comments: Boat transport is required to Ship Cove where the track begins. We can arrange this for you (or see the Endeavour Express Water Transport website. The boat transport can also carry your pack on to the Lodge, so you are free to walk with just a daypack. This walk is now becomming very well regarded, so be sure to book well ahead if possible.

Description: Located at the top of the South Island, the Queen Charlotte is one of New Zealand's most spectacular walking tracks. It is also one of the most easily accessible, offering a spectacular trip through the Marlborough Sounds, from the historic Ship Cove through to Anakiwa in the Grove Arm. The track spans some 71 km. It passes through lush coastal forest, meanders around historic bays, and along skyline ridges with spectacular views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.

We can provide transport for your pack and yourself throughout the length of the track, or we have a range of day walks to suit all abilities. We also carry kayaks and mountain bikes to suit.

Location: Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough
Prices: Depends on trip required. See our website for details.

Round trips on track, which include start and end of track transfers for walkers and day-to-day pack transfers, start at $70 per adult, $50 per junior, with children free of charge.

Contact person(s): Geoff and Sheryl McGlashan
Address: London Quay, by the town wharves, Picton
Postal Address: P.O Box 115, Picton, New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 573 5456
Fax: +64 3 573 5434
Email: help@boatrides.co.nz
Website: www.boatrides.co.nz

Comments: Mountainbikes, day packs and camping gear available for hire. We can also provide special transport, including charters, to suit your needs. Please contact us for a quote.

Visa and Mastercard accepted.

Description: The Awatere Tussock Track is a 3 day unguided walk through the back country of Glen Orkney, the Harvey family farm in the Awatere Valley of Marlborough.The walk takes you through rolling tussock covered hills, along bush clad creeks and out into the rugged high country where the mountain views are spectacular.

Along the way you walk through reserves of protected, regenerating native plants and through grazing merino sheep. These sheep provide wool for the famous Icebreaker brand of clothing.

The welcoming and clean accommodation at the cottage and purpose built back country hut provides walkers with tramping luxuries such as a comfortable bed, hot shower, flush toilet and fridge.

On a clear night the sky from the hut is breathtaking.

The track requires walkers to have a good level of fitness and agility and is not suitable for young children.

Location: [map here] 1 hour south of Blenheim
Prices: $200 per person
Season: Mid November to mid May

Contact person(s): Lynda Harvey
Address: Glen Orkney, Private Bag 1222, Blenheim 7240
Phone: 03 575 7361
Email: info@tussocktrack.co.nz
Website: www.tussocktrack.co.nz

Description: Three day walk or two day bike.

Location: [map here] Starts and ends at The Staging Post, about 1½ hour's drive north of Christchurch, ¾ of an hour's drive south of Kaikoura

Contact person(s): Sally and David Handyside
Phone: +64 3 319 2715
Email: sally@kaikouratrack.co.nz
Website: www.kaikouratrack.co.nz