Queen Charlotte Track: End to End - 6 Days
The Queen Charlotte Track runs end to end through one of New Zealand's most scenic regions, guided by an experienced local guide, with stunning views over Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds and a gorgeous native forest canopy overhead throughout.
The Marlborough region has a well-deserved gourmet reputation, and the waterfront accommodation along the track keeps walkers connected to the landscape long after the day's hiking is done. For those looking to extend the adventure, the Abel Tasman walk pairs beautifully with this itinerary, and the region's excellent wineries are well worth an extra day or two.
Highlights
Day 1
The trip starts in Picton, the port town of Queen Charlotte sound. Arrive in the afternoon and relax in comfort at your accommodation at the marina, or take a walk around the foreshore. We will have a welcome dinner together at 6pm in the hotel where you will meet the guide and group.
3.5-Star Hotel in Picton
Dinner
3.5-Star Hotel (2 nights), 4-star Hotel (3 nights)
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners
Auswalk Walking Grade
Challenging
Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.
Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.
View Fitness Guide4
Days on the trail
12-24 km
Daily distance range
501-1199 m
Daily ascent range
4/10
Trail difficulty
Staying right on the sound along the track is one of the defining features of this walk, and five nights in high quality waterfront lodges make the most of that. All properties are well appointed, but their position directly on the Marlborough Sounds elevates the experience considerably. Hosts throughout are warm and attentive, always on hand to help with whatever you need.
Good food sits alongside good scenery on this walk, with the meals well worth looking forward to at every stop. Five breakfasts, four walker's lunches and five à la carte dinners are included throughout this walk, starting with dinner on arrival in Picton and closing with breakfast before departure. Two-course dinners along the sound make the most of the waterfront locations at each stop, and walker's lunches are provided on every walking day to keep you going on the track.
Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.
The walk starts and finishes in Picton, at the top of New Zealand's South Island. The closest airport is Blenheim (BHE), from where pre-booked shuttle services connect to Picton. Wellington is a well-connected alternative; a short flight followed by the Interislander ferry arrives directly alongside the hotel in Picton. For those with more time, flying to Christchurch and taking the Coastal Pacific train to Picton is highly recommended; the journey is widely regarded as one of the great rail journeys of New Zealand, and the train station is a short 3 to 4-minute walk from the hotel. Those self-driving can fly to Christchurch and explore the Kaikoura coast and Banks Peninsula en route.
As the walk returns to Picton, the same connections apply for departure.
Spring brings flowering native plants, quieter trails and comfortable temperatures, while autumn provides warm, tranquil days and cool evenings. December is warm and sunny, with long days and excellent swimming in the clear waters of the Sounds. March and April are particularly fine, with very settled conditions and little wind. Pack a light waterproof whatever the month.
Tracks are well-graded and undulating, with some elevation to factor in on certain days. Good walking boots with reliable ankle support are recommended, and a regular training routine of three to four times per week with hill work incorporated is advisable preparation.
You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.
A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.
Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.
A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.
Picton Museum in the town centre covers the maritime history of the Marlborough Sounds and the story of early European settlement of the region. The Edwin Fox Maritime Museum on the Picton waterfront preserves the hull of the Edwin Fox, one of the world's oldest surviving wooden ships, which transported convicts, troops and immigrants across the world before ending its days in the Sounds.
Select a fixed group departure - places are limited
Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.
The walk was so well organised, very easy to follow both through the descriptions and sign posts along the way, and encompassed beautiful views and varied terrain, Accommodation at end of each day was delightful (especially the first 2 nights). There were a lot of kilometres to cover, but the suggested times were achievable, I walked this on my own, with no problems - so encourage any other solo walkers to do it too!
Departure point very conveniently located to first hotel. Well organized, great communication. Accommodation and meals along the route were fantastic. Generally very enjoyable experience.
The Queen Charlotte Track was our second walk with Auswalk. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed both walks. We chose self guided and all the information we were given was very easy to interpret. I would definitely walk with Auswalk again.
Our Queen Charlotte Track walk was excellent. Auswalk and its service providers operated as a well oiled machine, from advising us on walk selection to taking care of the logistics with no unpleasant surprises or disappointments. Communication was excellent at all stages, allowing us to relax and enjoy ourselves at all times.
Everything went smoothly. The trip notes and map were easy to understand. The accommodation and food were excellent. We were very lucky and had lovely weather making the views spectacular.
We had the most wonderful experience from start to finish. The Accommodation was absolutely five star - Comfortable, beautifully presented, and perfectly located. One of the highlights was the stunning walk. the scenery was breathtaking as was the aqua blue ocean, wildlife. A memorable moment was being taken out to the ocean by tractor whilst onboard the water taxi - Such a unique experience. The team at Abel Tasman water taxi were fantastic, so friendly, fun and full of helpful information. The notes and instruction for our self-guided walk were spot on- easy to follow and very thoroughly prepared. Our guide for the half day kayaking adventure was also incredible, kind, patient and supportive. We would highly recommend this walk and location to anyone looking for a beautiful, well organised and truly memorable getaway.
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