5 Day Deluxe Independent Walk - Furneaux Lodge, Mahana Lodge and 2 nights at Raetihi Lodge

From NZD $1,895.00
  • Duration: 5 Days (approx.)
  • Location: Picton
  • Product code: 5DBIW

Day 0 - A pre-tour briefing is held the day prior to departure. Details will be forwarded with your booking confirmation.

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 punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This day is regarded as the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. Your walk concludes at Furneaux Lodge

Day 2 – Endeavour Inlet to Mahana Lodge

Today’s coastal walk takes you from the Furneaux Lodge to Mahana Lodge through mostly regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other New Zealand native birds. From No Road Inn, 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 and 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 and Punga Cove. The delightful Mahana Lodge is a five minute walk past Punga Cove.

Day 3 – Mahana Lodge to Portage Bay/Raetihi 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 and transfer across Kenepuru Sound to Raetihi Lodge. We conclude our walk at Portage Bay and transfer by waiting water taxi to our accommodation at the beautiful Raetihi Lodge. NB. Optional boat trip today for non-walkers (additional cost).

Day 4 –Rest day at Raetihi Lodge


Day 5 – Raetihi Lodge to Anakiwa

Farewell Raetihi Lodge and transfer by water taxi to Portage Bay. Ascend to the ridgeline once again via the road from Portage Bay to the Torea Saddle turn right on to the Queen Charlotte Track. This morning you will enjoying stunning views. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale. Today you return by boat from the Outward Bound Wharf and join Beachcomber Cruises service back to Picton to compete your journey.