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Queen Charlotte Track
Introduction
There is a walking / hiking / tramping track that runs the whole length
of Queen Charlotte Sound, from Anakiwa in the south to the Cape Jackson
Lighthouse in the far north. The tracks have mostly been in existence
for a long time, being the original land connections between the many
bays.
Altogether the track is about 90km long and would take about six to seven
days to walk if done all at once. An unusual feature though is that a
well serviced waterway runs alongside the entire length, allowing walkers
to design their experience to suit the time available by using of the
many launch services available to drop them off and pick them up from
almost any point along the way. The launch services will also carry packs
between overnight stops.
Ship Cove to Anikiwa
The track from Ship Cove south is a public track maintained by the NZ Govt. Department Of Conservation. Up to 20,000 people per year hike or mountain bike along this section, many just on day excursions from Picton, while others stay at DOC camping grounds or at one of the many public houses along the way. Other users might be boaties, drying out for a while. Generally the experience is to wander through the various bays, some uninhabited and relatively pristine while others are quite developed with holiday homes.
Ship Cove to Cape Jackson Lighthouse to Ship Cove (Outer Queen Charlotte Track)
The section from Ship Cove North to the Cape Jackson lighthouse (called
the “Outer Queen Charlotte Track) is privately maintained and can
only be walked by arrangement. In order to preserve the wilderness nature
of the experience numbers are restricted to one party or a maximum of
six individuals per day. The track runs mainly through "Queen Charlotte
Wilderness Park" which is a private native wildlife sanctuary.
The environment varies from the untouched and mature forest at the Ship
Cove end to the magnificent and rugged coastal scene near the lighthouse.
The theme always is wilderness and privacy. Users are accommodated at
the lodge about half way along the track. Detailed information can be
found at More about the Park
/ Outer Queen Charlotte Track
If walking this section as well as some or all of the Southern section
it is more efficient in terms of launch costs and time to walk the Wilderness
Park section first. After this is complete the launch service will return
the walkers to Ship Cove to continue the journey south.
Suggested Itinerary for walking the whole length of Queen Charlotte Sound
Day one
Travel from Picton leaving 9am Picton Town wharf or ferry terminal. Travel
to Ship Cove. Walk to Queen Charlotte Wilderness Park Lodge at Anakakata
Bay.
Day two
Explore northern Queen Charlotte Wilderness Park by walking a circular
route via the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Jackson, returning to the
Lodge at Anakakata Bay.
Day three
The launch will take you from Anakakata bay to Ship Cove to walk on to
either the Furneaux Lodge area or Tawa Cove in Endeavour Inlet. Several
accommodation places, from backpackers to hotel.
Day four
Walk from Endeavour Inlet to Punga Cove area Several accommodation places,
from backpackers to hotel.
Day five
Walk from Punga Cove to Torea Bay. Several accommodation places,
from backpackers to hotel.
Day six
Walk from Torea Bay to Anakiwa. Launch will return you in the late afternoon
to Picton.
Costs
Prices for Outer Queen Charlotte Track as on Prices page plus cost of accommodation of your choice Ship cove south.
Bookings or Enquiries
Click here for our contact us page.
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