Women’s Queen Charlotte Track

Today you arrive into Wellington and begin your women’s Queen Charlotte Track tour.

Depending on flight arrival times some may check in earlier than others – if arriving by 6:00pm we will meet in the lobby of our hotel and head out for dinner exploring the eclectic eateries in Wellington.

Meals Included: 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: n/a

Today we will make the crossing from North Island to South Island but not before a cultural immersion at Te Papa Museum.  After breakfast we meet our Maori Cultural Guide and visit significant exhibits and hear stories of survival, language and cultural pride among the Maori people.

We will be transferred from our hotel to the Ferry Terminal to make our way to the South Island where we will check in our bags before boarding.

We have exclusive entry to the Premium Lounge for a more comfortable crossing. A small buffet is available as well as cool drinks, beer, wine and WIFI. The crossing will take around 3 and a half hours giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery as we head into the spectacular Sounds before our arrival into Picton. Have your camera ready!

Once in Picton we collect our luggage and as our motel is a short walk away we will orientate the group around this gorgeous little port village before checking in to our accommodation.

Breakfast is not included in our stay here but a small supermarket is located across the road from the Motel, so you may stock up for the next morning or if you have forgotten any essential items for our trek, this is the last opportunity to make any last minute purchases.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Late Lunch
Walking Distance: 2km

After breakfast we will take a short 10 minute walk to the harbour where we will collect bag tags, our lunch and get any final prep done before we are transferred to the start of the Queen Charlotte Track.

We will board a catamaran/water taxi in Picton and enjoy a 1 hour journey to Ship Cove – be on the lookout for dolphins!  Ship Cove is the one place that Captain Cook visited five times to re-provision his ships. As we sweep into Ship Cove you will understand why. A steady climb out of Ship Cove provides unsurpassed views to the North Island. We follow the track down into Resolution Bay and through to Endeavour Inlet where we spot Furneaux Lodge, our chalet accommodation, with its broad sweeping lawns.

Meals Included: Lunch, 3 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 14km

We can enjoy a leisurely morning once checked out of Furneaux, with optional side tracks on offer to extend our walking time.

This gentle coastal part of the track provides a good opportunity for us to enjoy a leisurely lunch and stop to enjoy the plentiful bird life along the way. Punga Cove Resort features individual chalets set amongst bush-clad hillside providing stunning views across the Endeavour Inlet. Enjoy the spa and solar heated pool. Views here from the bar at the jetty for a pre-dinner drink and the restaurant up top are sensational.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 3 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 12km

This section of the track is the most challenging but also the most rewarding. Climbing away steeply from Punga Cove, the stunning sweeping views begin to appear as we walk along the ridge between the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. The track is undulating and can be challenging for some. One of the best lookouts today will be on offer – this will add a 45 minute walk to the day as a sidetrip but is absolutely worth it.

Lochmara Lodge is located by boat a short distance from the Torea pier. We will be collected here by boat at 4.30pm and taken to our lodgings, offering chalet and hotel style accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 3 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 25km

Today is a great opportunity to recharge and reflect, enjoy a swim and some free time.

Lochmara Lodge has many facilities you may wish to make the most of such as kayaks, bird feeding, viewing stingrays and marine creatures in the underwater observatory, private bath house time or relaxing in one of the 40 hammocks placed around the many vantage points on the property. At night, visit the glow worms located behind the main buildings – do lots or nothing it is up to you.

Meals Included: Breakfast, 3 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: n/a

The track is accessible from Lochmara Lodge, we just need to head uphill for re-join it. We follow the ridge and climb to its highest point of 407 metres. From the summit we will enjoy unsurpassed views into the surrounding Sounds. Winding down to sea level we will encounter some particularly beautiful native bush reminding us of what must have been before humans arrived. The village of Anakiwa comes into view and so does the end of our walk on the track. Water transport will collect us and transfer us to Picton at 4pm.

We will enjoy a celebratory dinner as a group at a nearby eatery.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 20km

Today you are free to explore the region, we can assist you to book any local adventure activities such as the mail delivery boat, sea kayaking, cycling through the nearby vineyards or booking on a winery tour for tastings and lunch. We also have a pamper package you may want to consider with day spa, massage and local winery lunch. Ask us for more info.

We will reunite this evening in Picton for an optional dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: n/a

This morning we take a morning ferry service back to Wellington. A meal (brunch) will be served in the Premium Lounge for us and again we can enjoy the spoils of coffee, tea or something stronger and free WIFI. After our 3 and a half hour journey, we will be transferred from the ferry terminal in Wellington to our hotel. The rest of our afternoon is at leisure in Wellington. We will enjoy our final dinner together on the waterfront in Wellington this evening.

Meals Included: Brunch, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: n/a

Our final day of our Women’s Queen Charlotte Track tour is today, so we say farewell after breakfast to those who are staying on and those who are returning home.  Talk to us about how you can extend your stay and your adventure in the outdoor lovers paradise of New Zealand…

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: n/a

Requires following bush trails carrying a day pack with some steep sections. Accommodation and transport includes stairs. Please talk to us about your accessibility needs before booking