4 Day Boutique Guided Walk

Alkaen NZD 2 140,00 NZD
  • Kesto: 4 Päivät (noin)
  • Paikka: Picton
  • Tuotekoodi: 4dBoutiqueGW

Day 1 – Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet via Motuara Island (with a water taxi transfer to Mahana Lodge)

We collect you from your accommodation in Picton this morning, introduce you to your Wilderness Guide and then depart on the boat trip to Motuara Island for a tour en route to Ship Cove. Learn about the fascinating marine life of this area along the way and, if we are lucky, see dolphins as well!  Enjoy a short walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary to the lookout – this affords spectacular 360-degree views of the Marlborough Sounds – and encounter many of New Zealand’s endangered bird species including the South Island Saddleback (Tieke).

Arrive late morning at Meretoto/Ship Cove to begin the Queen Charlotte Track. 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 punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your walk concludes Furneaux Lodge where you catch the water taxi across to Mahana Lodge, your accommodation for this evening. NB. The visit to Motuara Island is weather dependent – as there are no toilets or shelter on the island.

Day 2 – Mahana Lodge/Endeavour Inlet & return

Today’s coastal walk takes you in reverse along the Queen Charlotte Track from Mahana Lodge around Endeavour Inlet to Furneaux Lodge. The track follows the coastline through mostly regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other New Zealand native birds. Pause at the head of the Inlet to learn more about antimony and the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards to Furneaux Lodge where there is time for a cold drink or a coffee before you catch the water taxi across to Mahana Lodge, your accommodation again for this evening.

Day 3 – Mahana Lodge to Torea Bay/Lochmara Lodge 

You won’t want to leave but today we depart Mahana Lodge and return to the ridgeline to continue our hike along the Queen Charlotte Track. A challenging but rewarding day on the ridgeline between Punga Cove & Torea Saddle. Truly grand views abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. Stare in awe at the sunken river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds from the iconic Eatwell’s Lookout. At different times you can see both the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds as you walk. This is a truly spectacular section of the track. Those who feel like a day’s rest today can opt for a boat ride around the bays’ of the Queen Charlotte Sound (additional cost). We conclude our walk at Torea Bay and transfer by waiting water taxi to our accommodation at the beautiful Lochmara Lodge. 

Day 4 – Lochmara Lodge to Anakiwa

Depart Lochmara Lodge and ascend via their private track to the ridgeline once again. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale after four days of walking. Take time for a photo stop at the picturesque Davies Bay – you won’t want the journey to end. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty to Picton, arriving back to Wilderness Guides HQ by late afternoon.