Queen Charlotte Track: Cruise & Self-Guided Hike From Picton

The Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand’s South Island offers a breathtaking outdoor adventure. Travelers can start their experience with a scenic cruise from Picton to Historic Ship Cove, followed by a self-guided hike through stunning landscapes. Hikers can choose between two trail options, allowing them to explore at their own pace. With informative commentary and the chance to spot local wildlife, this 8.5-hour journey provides an unforgettable experience. While the track’s natural beauty is undeniable, there’s more to discover about the unique cultural and historical significance of this remarkable region.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In Picton.

Key Points

• The experience offers a 1-hour scenic cruise from Picton to Historic Ship Cove and self-guided hiking options along the Queen Charlotte Track.
• Pricing starts at $57.73 per person for an 8.5-hour experience, with free cancellation policy and ‘Reserve now & pay later’ option.
• Two hiking options along the Queen Charlotte Track are provided, ranging from 12.7 km to 17 km, allowing exploration at one’s own pace.
• The cruise experience features skipper commentary on local history and wildlife, with opportunities to spot dolphins, seals, and seabirds.
• Moderate fitness is recommended for the hiking portion, with well-marked paths but preparation for varying weather conditions essential.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Overview and Pricing

The experience includes a 1-hour cruise from Picton to Historic Ship Cove, followed by a self-guided hike along the Queen Charlotte Track, with prices starting from $57.73 per person for the 8.5-hour duration.

Travelers can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The ‘Reserve now & pay later‘ option also provides flexibility for booking the tour.

Whether seeking a scenic adventure or a chance to explore the natural wonders of the Queen Charlotte Sound, this cruise and hike package offers an engaging outdoor experience for visitors to the Marlborough region.

Hiking Options

This experience offers two self-guided hiking options along the Queen Charlotte Track, allowing visitors to choose the duration and scenery that best suits their preferences.

The first option is the 12.7-kilometer hike from Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove, which takes around 30 minutes at Ship Cove before boarding the vessel to Furneaux Lodge.

The second option is the 17-kilometer hike from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge, passing through native forest and offering views at Tawa Saddle before reaching the lodge.

Both options provide the opportunity to take in the stunning natural landscapes of the Queen Charlotte Sound at one’s own pace.

Cruise Experience

Scenic cruises through Queen Charlotte Sound provide visitors with skipper commentary on the local history and marine wildlife, allowing them to potentially observe dolphins and other wildlife during the journey.

The cruise experience offers several highlights:

1. Picturesque views of the sound’s rugged coastline and lush native forests.

2. Informative commentary from the experienced skipper, sharing insights into the region’s rich history and natural wonders.

3. The opportunity to spot various marine creatures, such as dolphins, seals, and seabirds, as the vessel makes its way to the historic Ship Cove.

At the end of the cruise, passengers are returned to Picton, with an estimated arrival time between 5:30 and 6:00 PM.

What to Bring

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, visitors are recommended to bring along warm clothing, a sun hat, sunscreen, rain gear, sports shoes, a water bottle, and snacks.

The Queen Charlotte Track hike requires a moderate fitness level, with walking times varying between 3 and 5 hours. While the paths are well-marked, it’s important to be prepared for various weather conditions.

Visitors with mobility impairments or who use wheelchairs should note that the hike isn’t suitable for them.

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Important Information

Moderate fitness is recommended for the Queen Charlotte Track hike, as walking times range from 3 to 5 hours.

While the paths are well-marked, hikers should prepare for varying weather conditions by packing appropriate gear such as warm clothing, rain protection, and sturdy shoes. Unfortunately, the hike isn’t suitable for individuals with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

The tour operator advises bringing the following items:

1. Water bottle
2. Snacks
3. Sun protection

Hikers should be aware that this is an active outdoor experience, and they’ll need to be prepared for the physical demands of the trail.

With the right preparation, however, the Queen Charlotte Track offers a truly stunning and rewarding hiking adventure.

Customer Reviews

Customers have overwhelmingly praised the Queen Charlotte Track experience, awarding it an impressive 4.8/5 rating based on 185 reviews.

Reviewers highlight the friendly staff, whose live commentary brought the local history and marine wildlife to life.

Hikers were delighted by the beautiful views and well-marked paths that made the self-guided experience seamless.

While most were satisfied with the overall journey, some suggested that a larger vessel would have improved the return transport experience.

Ratings and Feedback

The Queen Charlotte Track cruise and hike boasts an impressive 4.8/5 rating from 185 reviews, with customers highlighting the friendly staff and well-marked hiking paths. Reviewers praise the experience, noting:

1. The scenic cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound with informative commentary.

2. The beautiful views and diverse native vegetation along the hiking trails.

3. The overall organization and ease of the self-guided experience.

While the majority of feedback is overwhelmingly positive, some guests have suggested improvements to the return transport, preferring a larger vessel for the journey back to Picton.

Suggested Improvements

While most customers praise the overall experience, a few reviewers suggest improvements to the return transport, preferring a larger vessel for the journey back to Picton.

The current tour uses a smaller boat for the return, which some felt was less comfortable, especially if the weather is inclement. A larger vessel could provide more space and amenities, making the trip back more enjoyable.

Plus, some customers noted the importance of clear communication around the return schedule, as there were a couple of instances where the arrival time in Picton was slightly later than initially indicated.

Recap

The Queen Charlotte Track cruise and self-guided hike offers an unforgettable outdoor adventure.

Travelers can choose between two hiking options, each showcasing stunning landscapes and native forests.

The scenic cruise, informative skipper commentary, and opportunity to spot local wildlife make this 8.5-hour experience a must-do for nature lovers.

With high ratings from previous hikers, this tour provides an exceptional way to explore the breathtaking Queen Charlotte Track.

You can check if your dates are available here: