The Ultimate Guide to the Queen Charlotte Track

Walking the Queen Charlotte Track

Time: 3-5 days
Track Closures: Open year-round for walkers
Grade: Easy hiking track

The Department of Conservation grades the Queen Charlotte Track as an “Easier tramping track” for hikers. This means that limited backcountry experience is required as the trail is well-formed, but is steep and can be rough or muddy in some sections. The trail is well-signed and all streams and river crossing are bridged.

Most hikers prefer to start the trail from the Ship Cove end of the trail and walk either day hikes from Ship Cove (which should be organised with boat transfer operators) or walk the entire trail to Anakiwa.

The trail can be made easier with boat transfer services offering to transfer backpacks to your next accommodation.

Mountain Biking the Queen Charlotte Track

Time: 2-3 days
Track Closures: Open year-round except for the Ship Cove to Kenepuru Saddle section which is closed in summer – December 1-February 28.
Grade: 3-4 (intermediate-advanced)

The Queen Charlotte Track is rideable for experienced mountain bikers, with some steep and challenging sections. For more riders, there will be sections where it will be easier to walk. The track is more challenging after rain where some sections become slippery and muddy. Less experienced riders have the option to avoid the challenging ride-top section of the trail by riding on the Kenepuru Road between Kenepuru Saddle and Portage.

Note that there are no bike-repair stations along the trail so make sure you have a puncture repair kit and other tools to make your own repairs.

For more information about the grade of the trail and other mountain biking trails in the region, see our Mountain Biking in Marlborough.

Track Description

Note that walking and biking times are estimated by the Department of Conservation to take into account all abilities. You may walk the sections faster, but the walking times makes a good time indication for making your plans.

Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet

Distance: 15km (9 miles)
Walk Time: 5 hours
Mountain Biking Section, Distance & Time: Ship Cove to Camp Bay (see Camp Bay description in next section) – 26.5km, 5 hours. You will need to take boat transportation to start at Ship Cove.

The trail starts from Ship Cove, a historic site with information panels to read before setting off on the trail. The trail starts by climbing away from the beach and into the forest. The track climbs onto a saddle with a lookout to stop by after about 50 minutes walking. You’ll then start dropping into Resolution Bay. Follow a bridle path over a ridge and into the Endeavour Inlet. At Endeavour Inlet, there are information panels about the mining era.

Private accommodation is available at Endeavour Inlet and Schoolhouse Bay. There is a DOC campsite also at Schoolhouse Bay.

Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay

Distance: 11.5km (7 miles)
Walk Time: 4 hours

The trail follows the shoreline through the forest rounding to Big Bay then to Camp Bay. It is possible to bypass Camp Bay by following the Kenepuru Saddle.

Private accommodation and a DOC campsite are available at Camp Bay.

Camp Bay to Torea Saddle

Distance: 23km (14 miles)
Walk Time: 8 hours
Mountain Bike Time: 4 hours

This is the longest and toughest section of the trail and passes through private land, which is where you will need your QCTLC Pass (see above). Most mountain bikers choose to push their bikes along the steeper parts of this section.

The trail climbs out of Camp Bay to Kenepuru Saddle following a ridge with rewarding views. The track eventually descends to Torea Saddle between Portage and Torea Bay.DOC campsites are available above Bay of Many Coves, Kumutoto Bay, Black Rock and Cowshed Bay. There is private accommodation at Portage.

Torea Saddle to Mistletoe Bay

Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Walk Time: 4 hours
Mountain Biking Section, Distance & Time: Torea Saddle to Anakiwa (see Anakiwa description in next section) – 20.5km, 4 hours

This section also requires the QCTLC Pass. The trail follows a ridge with an optional side walk to a lookout just before descending to Te Mahia Saddle.

Private campsites and cabins are available at Mistletoe Bay and another private accommodation is at Te Mahia Bay.

Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa

Distance: 12.5km (8 miles)
Walk Time: 4 hours

This section also requires the QCTLC Pass. The trail continues on the road above Mistletoe Bay then onto a bridle path overlooking the water. After descending to Umungata/Davies Bay, the final hour of walking is on an easy-graded trail through forest to Anakiwa.

A DOC campsite is available at Umungata/Davies Bay.