3 Day Independent Walk

Things To Know

• Itinerary

  Day 1 – Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, Endeavour Inlet

  We collect you from your accommodation in Picton to join the water taxi to Ship Cove where your walk begins. This scenic and historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s as well as being a site of significance for local Maori. Bush is mainly a mixture of stunning podocarp and beech forest with ponga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your walk concludes at the historic Furneaux Lodge.

  Day 2 – Endeavour Inlet to Punga Cove

  Today’s coastal walk takes you from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove through mostly regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other New Zealand native birds. From Furneaux Lodge, the track continues through native bush and over a small swing bridge to the head of Endeavour Inlet. Pause there to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay where pristine native beech forest awaits before working your way towards Camp Bay, only five minutes on from there is your accommodation for the evening at Punga Cove.

  Day 3 –2 options:

  • Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Bay (approx. 8 hours/24.5km)
    It’s a challenging day walking on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle near Portage. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. You will be collected from Torea Bay at 4.30pm and return to Picton at 5.00pm approx.
  • Take the morning water taxi transfer from Punga Cove to Picton
    The water taxi will come and pick you up at approx. 10.00am or 11:30am (This time table is valid is from October through to April - return time to Picton 11.30am or 13:00) or pick-up at 11.00 (Winter timetable - return time to Picton around 12.30pm). Cruise around the bays and make your way to Picton, arriving there early afternoon.

• Track Section & Distances

  Day	Distance	Time
  1	17km (10.6miles)	6 hrs
  2	11.5km (7.2miles)	4 hrs
  3	24.5km (15.2miles)	8 hrs

• Additional Tour

  Add on Guided Motuara and Ship Cove Experience - $295 per person

  This is the perfect way to start your Queen Charlotte Track experience. Your first day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your informative guide will explain the European and Maori connections of this significant historical area as well as provide detailed information on flora and fauna along the trail and general track advice.

  Approx. 9km | 6+ hours with a Guide

  Enjoy the company of one of our experienced guides for the first 6+ hours of your trip.
  Joining for the 8:00am boat ride to the outer sounds, we take you to explore beyond the standard trip and out to Motuara to start your first day.
  This historic and scenic sanctuary Island gives you a unique look at the restoration efforts within the sound, restoring native and vulnerable populations of native and endemic birds across New Zealand.
  Continue onto Ship Cove and the start of the track, your informative local guide will explain the European and Māori connections of this significant historical area as well as provide detailed information on flora and fauna along the trail and general track advice.

  Enjoy a trackside lunch with fresh coffee in Schoolhouse Bay 
  Our guide departs from Resolution Bay at 2:30pm after which you can continue into the lodge at your own leisure.