Bike the track

FAQs

• I’m mountain biking the Queen Charlotte Track. Can you transport my bike?

  Yes we can. Let us know when you book that you are bringing your bike and we will safely transport it, and you, to your chosen starting point on the track.

  
Bikes are transferred at an additional charge of $5 each way for standard mountain bikes, and $10 each way for e-bikes.

• I’m arriving in Picton by ferry. Can you pick me up?

  Sorry we do not offer a pickup service. 

• I’m walking/mountain biking the Queen Charlotte Track. Can you transfer my luggage to my accommodation?

  Yes we can, to many accommodation points along the track. Ask about our luggage transfer service when booking your trip with us.

  Our Round Trip Track Pass includes daily bag transfers.

• I want to walk/bike the Queen Charlotte Track, but not all of it. Can you help us get there and back?

  Definitely. Check out our Cruise & Walk options to spend a day on the track, or stay one or more nights along the track and tell us where you want to be dropped off and picked up when you book.
  In the summer there are up to three daily departures to choose from.

• Which way do most people walk/mountain bike the Queen Charlotte Track?

  The most popular way to walk the Queen Charlotte Track is north to south, from Ship Cove/Meretoto to Anakiwa.

• Can you book accommodation along the Queen Charlotte Track for me?

  We can arrange accommodation and water transfers to and from Furneaux Lodge and Punga Cove in Endeavour Inlet, depending on availability. We can also provide advice on all accommodation options along the track.

• What is the QCTLC Land Access Fee, and does it apply to me?

  If you’re walking or biking between Punga Cove and Davies Bay (near Anakiwa) along the Queen Charlotte Track, you’ll require a Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (QCTLC) pass to access sections of the track that cross private land.

  Passes are available for purchase from the Cougar Line office and aren’t included in Cougar Line’s standard fares.

  Ticket fees:

  • $12 for a Single Day Pass
  • $25 for a Multi-day Pass (to be used over 5 consecutive days)
  • $35 for a Seasonal Pass 

  School children are free

• How long is the Queen Charlotte Track?

  The Queen Charlotte Track is a 73km walking and mountain bike track in the Marlborough Sounds, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand.

  New Zealand’s longest dual-purpose track, the route passes through stunning coastal and ridgetop landscapes from Ship Cove/Meretoto in the north and Anakiwa in the south. Along the way, it takes in tranquil Endeavour Inlet and follows the ridgetops straddling Queen Charlotte Sound/Totaranui and Kenepuru Sounds, with stunning views across both.

  Although the track can be started and finished at either end, or at several points along the way, most people choose to walk, bike or run from north to south.

• What mountain bike grade is the track?

  Some sections of the track are a higher grade than others ranging from Grade 3/intermediate through to Grade 5/expert. For more detail, along with distances and times go to: Bike grades and distances

• Is the track open all year?

  For walkers it is. Thanks to Marlborough’s temperate climate and the track’s low altitude, it is safe to walk throughout the year. Just ensure you pack plenty of warm clothing in winter.

  For mountain bikers, Ship Cove/Meretoto to Punga Cove is closed from 1 December to the end of February each year – the stretch from Punga Cove to Anakiwa is open year-round.

• Are there Department of Conservation (DOC) huts along the track?

  No. The Queen Charlotte Track has a number of DOC and private campsites and a range of lodges, including budget-friendly backpacker options, but no tramping huts.

  For more info on what's available see Accommodation along the track

• Can I find drinking water along the track?

  Water is available at accommodation along the track - to buy and on tap where you're staying. DOC campsites along the track have untreated tank water that must be boiled before drinking. You should always carry enough drinking water for the day.

• Can I camp on the Queen Charlotte Track?

  Yes – there are campsites at Resolution Bay, Endeavour Inlet, Portage, Mistletoe Bay and Davies Bay.

  For more information visit Accommodation along the track