3 Day Hike, Bike, & Guided Sea Kayak Combo

Day 1 – 17km Hike Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, water taxi transfer to Punga Cove

Make your way to Wilderness Guides HQ on the waterfront and after an extensive briefing, depart on the water taxi to Ship Cove where your trip 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. The track is wide but is steep in places so watch for drop offs and rocky areas as you pass over two high saddles and finish walking along the waters edge.

Your journey takes you to the historic Furneaux Lodge set in rich native forest.
Jump aboard your afternoon water taxi, only 15 minutes across the Endeavour Inlet your accommodation at Punga Cove Resort.

Day 2 - 24.5km Ride Punga Cove to Torea Saddle/Portage Resort

Ascend to the main Queen Charlotte Track. Today you are riding mostly along the exposed ridgeline with stunning views over both Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. There are many steep hill climbs to challenge you through the morning. The Bay of Many Coves campsite is a welcome stop to enjoy the vistas and some food. Continue along the ridgeline until you reach the Black Rock Shelter. Here the final hills descend into Torea Saddle through stunning beech forest. End the day riding and down the sealed road into Portage Resort.

Alternative Riding Option: Ride the Kenepuru road and enjoy an easier day of mixed gravel and sealed road riding, and stunning views across the Kenepuru Sound.

Day 3 – Guided Sea Kayak from Torea Bay to Picton

Meet your guide over the hill in Torea Bay this morning at 8:30am (near Portage) for your guided sea kayak.
Our expert guide will show you around the picturesque bays and coves of Queen Charlotte Sound including a stop for lunch at one of the waterside bays. Concluding by returning into Picton around 3:30pm.
There are numerous bays and coves to explore along the way and lunch can be had at a secluded beach of your choice.
Be on the look-out for dolphins and little blue penguins as well as New Zealand fur seals on the points you pass.
This is the best way to finish three days of adventure!

Spring temperatures (September/October/November) range from 14degC through to 20degC.
Wind and rain is highly variable day to day through Spring.

Average daytime summertime temperatures (December/January/February) are usually in the early to late 20degC.
Mornings are calm with afternoon winds building most days.
A very hot day would be 30degC.

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.

Normally here in Picton the sky is blue and the sun shines! 
Our expert guides will try to plan your guided kayaking trip around any wind forecasts to try to keep this at our backs as much as possible.
While rain is not a concern for our tours, we provide splash jackets to keep you cosy on the water.

The local tracks are all clay based with some sections of loose natural rock. After rain these can be slippery for walking or biking. 

If biking, you should have a high degree of general fitness as the Queen Charlotte Track is more challenging to bike than to walk, as well as a confidence and experience with single-track off road mountain bike riding.

Please be aware the Queen Charlotte Track is a scenic but physically demanding and technical track for mountain bikes, recommended for experienced single-track riders. 
62% intermediate/grade 3,
28% advanced/grade 4, 
10% expert/grade 5.  
There are no sections rated for novice or beginner riders (grade 1-2).

You will encounter loose rock, tree roots and branch litter, along with rutty climbs and descents along the track. All but the most experienced riders will end up pushing at points. After heavy rain the clay-based trail is very slippy with reduced traction and mud build up.

We can advise you on the best section for you to attempt based on your abilities including road options and other local trails.

Many of our guests have never kayaked before, especially in a sit-in sea kayak. Our expert team and enthusiastic guides will give you some basic instructions to get you going.

We recommend being of moderate fitness to get the most out of your kayaking experience.
If you have mobility challenges which may impact entering and exiting the kayak, including in the event of capsize, we will assess this on a case by case basis.
After kayaking you might feel tiredness in the hands and shoulders if you not used to this kayaking, but a quick refreshment at one of our local cafes will set this right!

Yes! While we do not expect you to end up in the water, all guests are required to wear Buoyancy Aids at all times while kayaking.

Booking Policy & Payment Policy

Queen Charlotte Track Multiday Packages:

Deposit: Upon confirmation of your requested package departure date, a non-refundable $200NZ per person deposit will be processed. 
This is required for booking all multi-day independent and guided tours/packages.

Final Balance:
Your final balance is due 60-days prior to your package departure date.
70-Days before your package departs you will receive a payment request via email, and have 10-days to complete this.
If this payment is not completed we will attempt to contact you, before the on-system credit-card is charged in full or you package will be cancelled.

Package Amendments: 
An additional $50-per-person administration fee is charged for any amendments to confirmed bookings including but not limited to; changing rooms; changing departure dates; or changing package types.
This administration fee increases to $100-per-person within 60 days from the date of departure. 
All administrations fees are non-refundable.

Package Amendments requested within 60-days will be subject to our full Cancelation Policy if the request requires an alternate room/date as this is considered a cancelation of the original booking.

Child and infant Fares: 
Child rates may be available for those aged 4-15 years old inclusive for applicable packages and tours. 
Infants (under 4 years old) are generally free of charge for applicable packages and tours where sharing with paying adults, however we do not provide lunches so please provide suitable food for your trip for infants.
For Risk Declaration Waiver requirements, persons under 18-years of age are required to have a 18+ signatory.
For further details please contact us at the time of your booking.

Day Trip activity bookings:

Guided Day trip activities or rental activities are paid in full at the time of booking for direct bookings.