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Time: From 1 hour to 5 days one way, Total Distance: 70 km
The Queen Charlotte Track is less fashionable that its Abel Tasman neighbour but with less people and killer scenery, traveller feedback suggests its a sleeping giant worth visiting. Most people walking the whole track start at Ship Cove (see map) which is only accessible by water taxi. Many people also choose to take water taxis or drive to access a short walk along other parts of the track from places like Anakiwa. You can also get your gear transported by boat leaving you to walk or bike in comfort, this also means you can skip some sections if you want a rest! Accommodation along the track ranges from campsites to 5 star resorts so its an experience for everyone.
Do realise that this track is also open to mountain bikers all year. Remember they can get just as much of a fright as you when you encounter one another. There are no bikes allowed on the section between Ship Cove and Kenepuru Head between December and February.
You need to buy a Track Pass to access the private land sections of track. Please see www.qctlc.com for more information on the Pass and where to buy it.
$10 for a day pass
$18 for a multiday pass
$25 for a yearly seasonal pass
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC MarlboroughCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Marlborough ▷ Picton / Marlborough Sounds |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 8+ hours (incl overnight) These walks generally have overnight options. And often the track's end point is different from the start point. |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. Parts of the track cross private land so to walk or bike the whole track you do need a Queen Charlotte Track Landowners Cooperative Track Pass, see www.qctlc.com |
Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 20km and Beyond |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Great walk/Easy tramping track Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Track Accommodation |
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Track AccommodationWhat type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut & Campsite At least one campsite and building is available on this track to stay at overnight. DOC campsites, private campsites & private backpackers to 5 star resorts available |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Great views, clean toilets.
Awesome and not too long.
We did a small return trip to the first lookout.
Nice and quiet track.
Did a part of the walk from Anakiwa.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 65 |
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26% |
9/10 | 65 |
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26% |
8/10 | 66 |
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26% |
7/10 | 33 |
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13% |
6/10 | 10 |
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4% |
5/10 | 6 |
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2% |
4/10 | 4 |
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2% |
3/10 | 1 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3.0/5
A straightforward hike but some areas through regrowth bush and less pristine areas.
Also busy as part of the Te Araroa trail.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.5/5
We only did a short track to the lookout but it had nice views and good sign postage all along the way.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
3.5/5
We could not start early enough to take the boat to Ship Cove, so we just did the first little section of the walk from Anakiwa - there could be maybe boats for late people.......
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
The walk is quite nice even if you are doing just a day walk.
And, I think the DOC huts are quite cheap, you also have a great view over the bay.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Very beautiful walk, did not expect it to be so beautiful on top of the mountains after walking through the forest.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Great walk, a great start to the South Island.
We went 12.5km each way. Easy fitness level - is just fine.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Amazing scenery of the Marlborough Sounds.
Well organised and easy to do. Must do.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.5/5
Great walk, no problems on the way, we decided to do just the free part of the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.5/5
Beautiful forests and great lookouts over the Marlborough Sounds.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
We did a small return trip to the first lookout.
The path is nice and fresh and offers a very nice view at the lookout. A well chosen idea if you only want a 10km track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
We have paid for a water taxi, it took us to Ship Cove, we have split the trek into three days, 27, 25, 22km, campsites are really cool.
The water taxi could take your luggage during the trip (included in the fare), very beautiful multi day trip with astonishing views, water taxi was a little bit too expensive.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
3.0/5
The toilets were disgusting.
The view and the main track was nice. Too long distance between campsites.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
3.5/5
We could not start early enough to take the boat to Ship Cove, so we just did the first little section of the walk from Anakiwa - there could be maybe boats for late people.......
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
The walk is quite nice even if you are doing just a day walk.
And, I think the DOC huts are quite cheap, you also have a great view over the bay.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Very beautiful walk, did not expect it to be so beautiful on top of the mountains after walking through the forest.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
We only did a short track to the lookout but it had nice views and good sign postage all along the way.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
3.0/5
A straightforward hike but some areas through regrowth bush and less pristine areas.
Also busy as part of the Te Araroa trail.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.5/5
Beautiful forests and great lookouts over the Marlborough Sounds.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
We did a small return trip to the first lookout.
The path is nice and fresh and offers a very nice view at the lookout. A well chosen idea if you only want a 10km track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.0/5
We have paid for a water taxi, it took us to Ship Cove, we have split the trek into three days, 27, 25, 22km, campsites are really cool.
The water taxi could take your luggage during the trip (included in the fare), very beautiful multi day trip with astonishing views, water taxi was a little bit too expensive.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.5/5
Amazing scenery of the Marlborough Sounds.
Well organised and easy to do. Must do.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.5/5
Great walk, no problems on the way, we decided to do just the free part of the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
Great walk, a great start to the South Island.
We went 12.5km each way. Easy fitness level - is just fine.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Very impressive track.
Quite windy but super view and super track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Magnificent.
Good track. Superb.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
If you only have one day in the area and want to do a section of the track, do this!
Camp Bay to Endeavour Inlet. It is free, you go through rainforest, see great views of Charlotte Sounds, plenty of running streams.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
It is great that you do not have to walk the whole track if you do not have time, for 3-5 days.
We did just a part of it and the view on the top was great. Incredible!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Absolutely beautiful views on every part of the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
You see lots of bush, but really nice lookouts between, a really beautiful walk.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Stunning natural beauty, fairly predictable weather and like minded outdoorsy folk.
A must do!!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
3.5/5
Only did part of the track but felt there could have been less trees blocking the views but was amazing scenery when we did see it.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.5/5
Very nice track with a lot of nice views!
Awesome, small beaches. A lot of nice, friendly people.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
4.5/5
We stayed at Anakiwa and walked until the lookout point.
Very stunning view over the Sounds, really lovely!! Sometimes the walk is a little squishy, but that is part of it.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago
3.5/5
Very well used.
The track was busy. Very beautiful, but a muddy, muddy track. Transport to and from the track was expensive.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
3.5/5
Pleasant to be able to swim a bit at the end of the walk.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016
3.5/5
Nice pleasant walk, not too hard, nice to be able to swim at the end.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in April 2016
3.5/5
Day trip along Mistletoe Bay to Hilltop, nice and lovely, but is less spectacular than Abel Tasman, nice views of the Sounds.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
We walked a section of the track to a fantastic view point.
Amazing views from the top of the hill.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Well prepared path.
We cycled it with our little one from 1.5 years old in the backseat of the bike. Nice views.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Biking from Torea Bay to Camp Bay was a physically challenging but very rewarding experience.
The track offers spectacular views of the Sounds, particularly Eatwell's Lookout (worth the 15 minute hike up!).
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Really beautiful walk, easy to find and well maintained.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
3.5/5
Great walk, I just did the day hike.
Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016