FAQs

Most of our international guest will fly into either Auckland or Wellington airport. 
From Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch International Airports, there are direct flights with Air New Zealand to Blenheim Airport, about 20 minutes’ drive from Picton.

From Wellington city you can instead choose to catch either the Bluebridge or Interislander ferry service across Cook Strait, a world famous boat crossing. 
Your final option from Wellington is to can catch the small local airline, SoundsAir, which has a base at Wellington Airport and connects a short flight into Picton. This charming little journey is a memorable way to experience an aerial view across the sounds

Affordable shuttles are available or you can rent a car.
Please visit https://www.wildernessguidesnz.com/shuttles/ to book a shuttle  if required.

From Christchurch city, a popular scenic option is to catch the coastal train with Kiwi Rail Scenic Journeys to Picton. This is the most relaxing way the enjoy the ocean and mountain views as you travers northward past Kaikoura and through the Marlborough Vineyards.
There are also public inter-city buses and options to rent a car.

Average daytime summertime temperatures (December/January/February) are usually in the early to late 20degC.

A very hot day would be 30degC.

Spring temperatures (September/October/November) range from 14degC through to 20degC. Autumn (March/April/May) tends to be cooler but very settled with little or no wind, ranging from around 16-18degC in March down to 10-12degC in May.

In winter time (June/July August), the days can be very settled with not a ripple of the water but cold and crisp with overnight lows of less than 0degC and days up to 10degC.

Rain is possible at any time of year but the driest months tend to be January/February/March. Layered clothing is best including a thermal undergarment, fleece top, shorts, long trousers, warm jacket and rain coat.

If biking, you should have a high degree of fitness as the Queen Charlotte Track is more challenging to bike than to walk – but it’s an exhilarating experience too. Queen Charlotte Track is graded as 62% intermediate/grade 3, 28% advanced/grade 4 and 10% expert/grade 5 for mountain biking by NZCT. We can advise you on the best section for you to attempt based on your abilities. 

There is a large carpark area near our office and you can pay $6NZ per day for as many days as you require to leave your car or camper there. It is unsecure so don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle. At peak times this carpark does get very full but there is also non-metered street parking nearby. Your accommodation provider may also be able to provide parking while you are on the track if you are returning there.

Sea kayaking is a great way to get a taste of the Marlborough Sounds for another perspective, exploring the many bays and coves and spotting the local wildlife including dolphins, seals and little blue penguins. Guided trips and independent rentals work best towards the inner Sounds due to weather conditions so a guided or freedom kayak works well if you are staying two nights at Portage Hotel or Lochmara Lodge. We can tailor trips in other parts of the Sounds as well though so just contact us for further information about how best to include kayaking with your adventure.

The Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary is a very special reserve in the outer Queen Charlotte Sound. Here you can see the endangered South Island Saddleback (Tieke), friendly South Island Robins, Kereru (New Zealand native wood pigeon) and if you are lucky, little blue penguins who nest on the island. It is only accessible by boat and works best by taking an early water taxi from Picton (8am) which delivers you to the island. You then have around 1-1 ½ hours to explore via the track to a lookout (affording spectacular views) before being collected by the next scheduled water taxi at 10.30/10.45am. You will then be delivered to Ship Cove, just across the bay, to begin your walk.

• Booking Policy: $200NZ per person deposit required on booking for all multi-day independent and guided tours/packages; 50% ($100NZ per person) is a non-refundable administration fee.
• Cancellation Policy: No refunds for multi day independent and guided tours/packages if cancelled within 12 days of travel; 50% of total refundable if cancelled within one month of departure less the $100NZ per person non-refundable booking fee. No refunds for day trips cancelled within 24 hours. Full refunds are given for cancellation due to weather conditions.
• Cancellation Due to Government-imposed Travel Bans: If you cannot travel due to a Government-imposed travel ban or border closure, we can transfer your booking to a later date with no penalty or transfer fee as long as this is within the next 12 months from your original date. This will depend on availability and differences in the package price may apply. Otherwise, our standard cancellation policy applies.

No, we don't add a surcharge for paying with credit card for direct bookings. We accept Mastercard and Visa.