1 Day Queen Charlotte Track Guided Walk – Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge
Highlights
- The ultimate in value and flexibility.
- Choose your start and end point, walking/cycling distances and overnight stops where your luggage will be transferred to each day.
- All you need to do is walk and enjoy the sights, see a variety of landscapes from lush Native New Zealand forest with its vocal birdlife to panoramic views of the Marlborough Sounds
Itinerary
Your adventure will begin as you cruise north from Picton on one of our fleet through the drowned river valleys of the Queen Charlotte Sound and past idyllic bays. As we head towards Ship Cove your skipper will talk about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the area and – if there is time - we will get closer to any passing wildlife, including dolphins who like to play in the wake of the boat.
In the 1770s, sheltered Ship Cove provided safe anchorage, food, water and timber for explorer Captain James Cook and his ship crews on five separate occasions and saw some of the earliest sustained contact between Māori and Europeans.
There is plenty of historical information at Ship Cove before you climb away from the beach through native forest regenerating beneath a high canopy of trees. The forest includes manuka, kanuka, five finger and tree ferns and is home to many native New Zealand bird species: tui, fantails, silvereyes and tomtits. If you stop for a break, a curious weka may come to check you out.
When you reach Tawa Saddle, stunning views of the Queen Charlotte Sound spread out before you. The track then drops into Resolution Bay and follows an old bridle path into Endeavour Inlet.
Furneaux Lodge at the head of the Endeavor Inlet is your destination. Here you can buy drinks and meals and relax before boarding your cruise vessel at approximately 4-4.30pm for your return to Picton. Arriving back at approximately 5.30-6pm.
Notes:
- Between 1 December and 1 March bikes are recommended to go on the 8am departure to Ship Cove.
- All resorts operate a closedown period over the winter months so there may be no café facilities available at the end of your walk. Please contact our reservations office to check for current availability
included with
Return water transport
excluded by
- QCTL pass, food and drink
- Hotel return transfers
Detailed Description
Check-in Time: 7:30am or 8:30am
Departure Time: guests choice of 8:00am (1st October – 30th April ) or 9:00am (year round)
Duration: 1 day with approx. 5 hours walk
Track Length: 17KM
Return trip pick up: 4:00 - 4:30pm
Return to Picton: 5:30pm - 6:00pm Estimated
Option Add on: Visit to Motuara Bird Island, 8:00am departure 1st October – 30th April (additional fees apply)
Operates: Daily
Departure details: 1 London Quay, Picton 7220, New Zealand
Please meet us at the Beachcomber Cruises Office on the waterfront - the Corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, we are a black building with Blue Signage.
Return details: Returns to original departure point
Timetable
- Summer departures 1 Oct to 30 April - 8:00 am 9:00 am
- Winter departures 1 May to 30 Sept - 9:00 am
Please note: The 8:00am departure allows a stop at Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary for an additional $5 per person. Estimated arrival time back into Picton is 5:30-6:00pm
