Self-Guided Queen Charlotte Track Walk from Picton
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Picton, New Zealand
- 7 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the beauty on Marlborough Sounds on foot and by boat through a guided walk with round-trip boat service. You can choose from three walks of varying length and challenge. These include Ship Cove, Endeavor Inlet or Torea Bay. Round-trip boat service drops you at the beginning and collects you at the end of your tour. A day hike is the perfect opportunity to experience the natural tranquility of the track, particularly if you have a shorter time-frame.
- Experience the natural beauty of the sounds on foot
- Round-trip boat service makes this an easy journey
- Choose from three walks to suit your needs
- Live commentary on board
What's Included
- Commentary on board
- Food and drinks (available to purchase on the track)
- Guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Keep Cups for $6, Available to purchase in the office
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Beachcomber Cruises. Queen Charlotte Cruise & Track AdventuresLondon Quay, Picton 7250, New Zealand
Please meet us at the Beachcomber Cruises Office on the waterfront - the Corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, we are a glass building with Blue Signage.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to consume on board
- Closed-toe walking shoes suitable for walking are recommended
- Not accessible for motorized wheelchairs
- We are not able to pick up / drop off at the Cruise Ship Terminal - you must make your way to our booking office
- Please note that day walk departure and pick up times are at a set schedule and returns at 5:30pm
- Not suitable for guests visiting by cruise ship due to timings conflicts
- You must have a good level of fitness to achieve the walks in the allotted time
- This tour has a minimum number requirement and may be cancelled if we do not reach this capacity
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Janna_D
What a beautiful, exhilarating and rewarding day! The Beachcomber Cruise staff did an excellent job providing efficient service and commentary while aboard the boat. The ride to the trail head offers a chance to experience and take in the beauty of Marlborough Sound! Staff was available to answer questions throughout the ride as well! The trail is well marked and the many peekaboo views of the sound throughout the hike are breathtaking! The reward of a beer at Furneaux Lodge at the end was awesome…had plenty of time to relax and enjoy this setting before embarking on our return to Picton! Highly recommend this day trip to any reasonably fit hikers passing through Picton!
Reviews
4.7
based on 73 reviews
Peter_A, Feb 2026
This is a good hike over fairly easy terrain. We did the walk from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge in just over 4 hours when it is supposed to take 5.5 hours. Finishing early meant we could spend some time at the lovely Furneaux Lodge, having a beer in the garden sunshine whilst waiting for the return boat.
There is a lot of history around this area and shame we didn’t get any commentary at all, despite description on Viator.
Boat service was very efficient though and would recommend.
Sharon_M, Jan 2026
What a fabulous 1 day walk to see the untouched forest/hills of the South Island. The 17 km walk was a bit more challenging than we had anticipated, however we did make it in 4.5 hours. The trail was uneven and quite rocky in places but a great accomplishment!
Noreen_W, Dec 2025
It was a beautiful hike, but glad we only did Furneux Lodge to Punga Cove as 8 miles is more than enough to get a sampling of the beauty. Fortunately it was dry; otherwise it could be challenging without good treads and hiking poles (neither of which we had)
My husband and I are 72 and 70. He bicycles 8-10 miles most days. I run 10 miles once a week along with other daily fitness activities . We were both glad when done, but you get plenty of time to complete it. We had a nice drink afterward at the restaurant while waiting for the return boat ride. Also the captain got a bunch of little dolphins swimming around the boat.
Sandy_B, Oct 2025
Check in at the warf went very smoothly, the check in staff were very helpful. The water in the sound, just getting to the track, was dicey, very rough waves. . . However, the captain was a professional
and got us there safely. Walk was beautiful. Views were utteely amazing. All in all it was a wonderful day.
Janna_D, Feb 2025
What a beautiful, exhilarating and rewarding day! The Beachcomber Cruise staff did an excellent job providing efficient service and commentary while aboard the boat. The ride to the trail head offers a chance to experience and take in the beauty of Marlborough Sound! Staff was available to answer questions throughout the ride as well! The trail is well marked and the many peekaboo views of the sound throughout the hike are breathtaking! The reward of a beer at Furneaux Lodge at the end was awesome…had plenty of time to relax and enjoy this setting before embarking on our return to Picton! Highly recommend this day trip to any reasonably fit hikers passing through Picton!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thankyou for your review Janna! It sounds like you had an excellent time out in the Queen Charlotte sounds on the walk with our team. Its all part of the fun to get the boat ride, of course the beautiful walk, then a rewarding stay at the lodge at the end. Thanks for your great feedback!
anthony_s, Nov 2023
Our boat skipper was knowledgeable especially about the environment effecting the area. The problem with the trees and the erratification program. Unfortunately we had a rainy day, but he encouraged us to enjoy ourselves. Staff at the office were amazing. Our walk was wonderful except the last hour of rain
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your email, we are really pleased to hear you enjoyed your time on the Queen Charlotte Track despite the inclement weather. We do try and encourage all of our guests to enjoy the sounds rain or shine ;)
Agnieszka_W, Apr 2023
Beautiful track with small elevation gain so the 17km are easy to do; lodge at the end where you can buy food or drinks; boat ride to the starting point was fantastic and full of amazing views .
Response from Host, Apr 2024
thank you for your review :)
Kerstin_M, Mar 2023
Very trustworthy captain a boat trip. Well the nature is just brilliant. Views of Marlborough Sound are indescribable awesome!
Veronique_R, Dec 2021
Great commentary on boat ride out to Furneau Lodge, as well as stunning views. Track wasn't quite as flat as I was expecting - luckily beautiful views kept me going!
Jeanette_R, Dec 2021
The boat ride out was great, but most of all the views from the track were breath taking. Easy 11 ks of walking.
Sarah_A, Feb 2021
Wonderful boat trip, good knowledge and humour from captain, spent time with dolphins playing alongside boat, Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge was great, lovely bush, good track, stunning views over coast. Definitely recommend this day trip
Maria, Mar 2020
Great opportunity to experience hiking the Queen Charlotte Track on a day trip with a very convenient drop-off and pick-up at certain points of the track . The boat ride there through the Sounds is also very nice, we had the opportunity to see some seals and dolphins on the way.
Grant_W, Nov 2019
Unfortunately we could not complete our walk booked through viator as we would not have made it back to the cruise ship in time for departure. Luckily beachcomber tours suggested a cruise on the ‘mail boat’ around Wieen Charlotte Sound to Ships Cove which was great and we then did a nice walk in the Bobs Bay and Harbourview tracks after a lovely lunch in Picton. Think viatour should provide more info to cruise passengers the times. Picton was a beautiful township though!
MarieJune_B, Apr 2018
Wonderful trip, particularly walk from Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge. Boat trip great, on time and enjoyable, thank you.
Merril T, Jan 2018
Well organised trip with the most amazing views you will ever see. We chose the 15km/9mile tramp. There was a lot of UP some steep in places but it was well worth the effort there was plenty of time and even enough time for a beer or a swim, at Furneax Lodge while you wait to be picked.
Tina S, Jan 2017
The boat-ride to and from Ships cove/Furneaux lodge was cool, with the person at the helm providing info on the area and interesting and funny banter. I enjoyed the walk, and although I am not that fit I found it easy enough to do in the time provided. Also, there were a reasonable number of people on the track which was pleasant. The scenery was beautiful!
Pam B, Dec 2015
Great walk. A good welcome at Furneaux Lodge who kindly helped me dry out.
Great trip with Bruce to and from the walk. Bruce was great and managed for us to see dolphin, a family of Orca whales and a seal! What a bonus!
From $63.83
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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