2 Day Mountain Bike Trip - Punga Cove

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 Punga Cove Grade 3-4

Depart either the 8am Summer service.

From Ship Cove, it's a challenging climb to the Ship Cove Platform to start your day. To the south you can see Resolution Bay below and beyond.  Depart the Ship Cove platform and wind your way downwards into Resolution Bay.  The next section descends into Resolution bay through regenerating forest, mainly Manuka and Kanuka.

The track then winds just above Resolution Bay Cabins and starts a gradual but steady ascent towards the Tawa Bay Saddle through mainly regenerating forest.  The sight of seating as you pass through the saddle with a view to Endeavour Inlet and beyond is a welcome sight.

From Tawa saddle the trail is mainly down hill with views into Tawa Bay and, as you proceed, views towards the head of Endeavour Inlet and Furneaux Lodge, a great place to stop for a coffee. The track continues through thick native forest before crossing the sole swing-bridge on the track, a wide sturdy structure.  From the head of Endeavour Inlet the track is wide and undulating as it passes through flat farmland with lovely views down the inlet.  

This section of the Queen Charlotte Track track follows the curve of the coastline with the water never far away and a pleasant time can be had enjoying the coastal views along the way.  But care should be taken along some stretches particularly when damp as they can be very slippery. 

Camp Bay, with a pleasant beach nearby, is a popular Department of Conservation camping spot and marks about 5min to your final destination Punga Cove.  Y

Now available all year round on any 8am service in Summer.

Day 2 – Punga Cove to Torea Bay (24.5km, option to continue to Anakiwa additional 20.5km) Grade 3-5

Ascend to the main Queen Charlotte Track. Today you will be riding mostly along the exposed ridgeline with stunning views over both Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Bay of Many Coves is a welcome stop to enjoy the vistas.

The track is wide but is steep in places so watch for drop offs and rocky areas. There is a lot of undulation with many short steep hill climbs to challenge you. Take a break at Black Rock Shelter before the hills and then descend to Torea Saddle. 

The sealed road at Torea Saddle marks a split in the day. Either drop down to Torea Bay to meet your watertaxi at 4:30pm, or continue on if you are riding to Anakiwa.

If you are ridding to Anakiwa, a tough climb awaits and you will need to push your bike but the reward is stunning views into the Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sound. Following along behind Lochmara Bay, you will find a steep and rutty decent into Te Mahia Saddle, take care at this point as this is the most technical section of the track. This 8km section is Grade 5.
An easier option is the ride the Kenepuru Road from Portage and re-join the track above Mistletoe Bay. 

From Te Mahia Saddle the track is easier, undulating at first with a long, gradual and exhilarating descent to Anakiwa. The bush is stunning with glimpses into the glistening waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.

Time to rest at Anakiwa where you can purchase an ice cream or cold drink from The Green Caravan (summer time only) and reflect on a fantastic few days while you await your water taxi pick up at 4.00pm. Return time to Picton is 4.30pm.