You can break the Queen Charlotte Track into smaller bites and enjoy sections individually as
side trips. There are also various secondary tracks as alternatives to the main track to explore
and extend your time on the Queen Charlotte Track. It is advisable to make prior arrangements
in advance especially to ensure transport to and from Picton.
Walking - Main Track
Ship Cove to Resolution Bay - approx 2 hours : 4.5kms
Walk up through a canopy of native tree ferns and into the beech forest along the
ridge. View the panoramic vista across to Moturara Island before descending gradually into Resolution
Bay.
Resolution Bay to Endeavour Inlet - 3 hours : 10.5 hours
This gentle walk traverses forests as it passes over a saddle.
From there it is a gentle decline on a shoreline walk to the head of the
Endeavour Inlet, ending at Furneaux Lodge Jetty.
Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay - approx 4 hours : 11.7 km's
This walk features many small birds such as tomtits and grey warblers in their natural
habitat.
Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet - 5 hours : 15 km's
This is a very popular day walk being a combination of the Ship
Cove to Resolution Bay and Resolution Bay to Endeavour Inlet walks.
Mistletoe to Torea - 3 hours
A ridge walk with panoramic views over the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. From
Mistletoe Bay the climb is to 417 meters , one of the highest accessible points for a day walk
on the track.
Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa - 4 hours
After a short climb out of Mistletoe Bay the track passes the original farm land with
wide views of Onahau Bay and beyond to the hills above Picton, then meanders down through beech
forest, past the nice sandy beach of Davies Bay to Anakiwa.
Walking - Secondary Tracks
Track to Queen Charlotte Wilderness Park
No route-guide on the Queen Charlotte Track would truly be complete
without mentioning a 23km side track that runs from Ship Cove out to the
Cape Jackson Lighthouse, known as the Outer Queen Charlotte Track. This
privately maintained side-track has been developed as part of the Queen
Charlotte Wilderness Park experience. While not part of the Queen Charlotte
Track proper it is a fascinating rugged extension to one end of the track
with its own kind of appeal.
On the trail there are splendid views over Port Gore (where the Soviet cruise ship Mikhail
Lermontov sank in 1986). Beyond Port Gore, with its unspoiled beauty, you can see the Chetwood
Islands, Titi Island, and further away there are D'Urville Island and Stephens Island. On the
Queen Charlotte Sound side there are elevated views over Motuara Island, Long Island, the much-larger
Arapawa Island and also Cannibal Cove and Little Waikawa.
There are opportunities at the Wilderness Park for such things as snorkeling, diving, fishing,
going on old gold trails, nature photography, horse trekking and guided tours. Accommodation
is available a little over halfway from Ship Cove to the Lighthouse, at the Wilderness Park
Lodge.
It should be stressed that part of the Captain Cook Trail is clearly off the beaten track,
and prior arrangement is essential. It is an optional extra to the Queen Charlotte Track and
is not DOC related.
| Distance & Walking Times: |
| Distance |
11 kilometers |
| Fast Walker |
5 hours, 45 minutes |
| Average Walker |
6 hours, 30 minutes |
| Slow Walker |
8 hours, 30 minutes |
Ship Cove to Port Gore
The Port Gore side track connects the Port Gore airstrip (and accommodation) to the start of the main track at Ships Cove.
The uphill walk from Port Gore is through established manuka to the ridgeline where there are spectacular views, then descend into Ship Cove through untouched native bush.
Head of Endeavour Inlet - approx 3.5 hour round trip
A climb beyond the antimony mines at the head of Endeavour Inlet rewards walkers with
another dramatic view of Cape Jackson and Port Gore.
Craglee Lodge side track
Well maintained and sign posted. Average time is 40 - 45 minutes down to the Lodge. Walking poles are suggested. Native birds and wild pigs are often seen and heard. Upon arrival, you we be warmly welcomed by Steve and Rosie George. A cold drink and outdoor baths is a well deserved treat after your days hike.
Bay of Many Coves Resort side track
The Bay of Many Coves Resort sidetrack is primarily classed as a ‘route’. Suitable for average to fit walkers it is a steep 2 hour downhill into the Resort and is not recommended in wet weather. This track is well signposted and maintained by hand with spectacular views to the inner sounds and over to the North Island.
Lochmara Lodge side track
The Lochmara Lodge side track is a ‘don’t miss’ for nature and art lovers, descending 40-60 minutes into Lochmara Bay between Torea and Mistletoe Bay. It reaches Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery and Arts Centre, where you will find a jetty, kayaks, walks, conservation projects, beach, hammocks, and cafe. It is suitable for walking and mountain-biking.
The James Vogel Track
This is an alternative route to Mistletoe Bay taking you through some prime beech forest.
There are interpretation signs to identify different species of trees.
Note: Not all secondary tracks are maintained by the DOC.
Biking
Sections of the track make good day rides, particularly Ship Cove to Kenepuru
Saddle (27km) and Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa (12.5km).
| Approximate Biking Times: |
| Ship Cove to Camp Bay |
5 hours (approx) |
| Camp Bay to Torea Saddle |
4 hours (approx) |
| Torea Saddle to Anakiwa |
4 hours (approx) |
| Anakiwa to Picton |
1.25 hours (approx) |
|
Track Updates
