Important steps have been taken to protect the future of the Queen Charlotte Track to ensure it will always be a place of rare beauty and freedom. From 1 October 2007 all adult unguided track visitors will be asked to contribute $5 to the Queen Charlotte Track Tribute Fund.
The walkway and its surrounds are part of the special
history of the Sounds. The track itself is based
on a network of pioneer day bridle paths - a humble
beginning for what has become such an outstanding
walking track.
The Queen Charlotte Sound,
named after the wife of King George the Third,
was important for the Maori. Called Totaranui,
the sheltered Sound was used for travel and provided
bountiful seafood for the many Maori who lived
there.
In 1770 Captain Cook anchored in Ship Cove, a
place of endearing beauty. He stayed there five
times between 1770 and 1777 and this tranquil
retreat has remained virtually unchanged from
that time.
Since that time, the area has been the scene
of a diverse range of activities from gold and
antinomy mining, whaling and fishing through to
tourism and forestry leaving the Queen Charlotte
Sound and its immediate area full of interesting
history.
Interesting Facts:
British
sovereignty was first proclaimed by Captain
Cook and the flag formally raised on the summit
of Motuara Island on 31st January 1770.
Within Resolution Bay is Schoolhouse Bay,
which was once the site of the local school.
At one time children from the neighbouring
farms walked or rode their ponies to school
along the bridle paths which now form the
basis of the Queen Charlotte Track.
Until the end of the 19th century there
was a thriving township at the head of Endeavour
Inlet. Antimony was mined there and at one
time sailing ships loaded their cargoes in
the Inlet before sailing direct to England
with the valuable metal.
Legend
tells of the early Maori using Torea Saddle
to haul their canoes from one sound to another.
Early pioneering farmers planned to create
a canal across the Te Mahia Saddle as a quick
route to Picton for transporting wool and
livestock.
Visitors may come across wild pigs from time
to time along the track rooting for food, especially the section between
Camp Bay and Torea Saddle, over the winter months.
These wild pigs are very shy and will run away from walkers, if walkers
are lucky enough to spot one.
The pigs were released by Captain Cook at Ship Cove as a food source &
have spread through out New Zealand. ....
Brochures are
available from the 
British
sovereignty was first proclaimed by Captain
Cook and the flag formally raised on the summit
of Motuara Island on 31st January 1770. 
Legend
tells of the early Maori using Torea Saddle
to haul their canoes from one sound to another.
Track Updates
