This section is the most challenging and rewarding of the track. After
climbing away steeply from Camp Bay, sweeping panoramas of the Queen Charlotte
and Kenepuru Sounds come into view. Traversing the ridge, the true magnificence
of the Sounds is inescapable when you are greeted with an incredible panorama
of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds through the entire 360 degrees.
Make sure you've got your camera handy!.
Just past the Bay of Many Coves shelter are two side tracks – one
to Craglee Lodge and a second to Bay of Many Coves Resort (see Side Tracks).
The trek to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay is interspersed with one breathtaking
vista after another.
There is a campsite, toilet, water and cooking shelter three hours along
the track and another campsite and water stop about three hours from Portage
Bay.
Eventually the track twists steeply down to the road between Portage
Bay and Torea Bay. This road, or saddle, is the same as that used by the
Maori to haul their wakas (traditional Maori canoe) between the Queen
Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds, saving many hours of paddling.
Accommodation providers in the Bay of Many Coves are the Bay of Many Coves
Resort, Craglee Lodge and Kulak Rent A House (see Side Tracks). A variety
of accommodation options are available in and around Portage Bay in Kenepuru
Sound including the Department of Conservation campsite at nearby Cowshed
Bay, De Bretts and The Portage Resort Hotel. Further accommodation options
nearby in Kenepuru Sound are offered by Hopewell Lodge, Raetihi Lodge
and St Omer House. See the individual operator listings below for further
information.
Bay of Many Coves shelter,
Blackrock shelter, Portage Bay
Bay of Many Coves shelter,
Blackrock shelter, Portage Bay
Torea Bay
Bay of Many Coves, St Omer
House, The Portage Resort Hotel, Portage Bay Shop & Backpackers, DeBretts
Resolution Bay
