The Queen Charlotte Track – Best Treks in New Zealand

The Queen Charlotte Track is one of the best treks in New Zealand. It is also a mountain biker’s paradise that offers visually stunning and varied terrain, with areas suitable for the novice rider but is also challenging enough for the experienced mountain bikers.

The track begins at Ship Cove, runs approximately 70 kms through native bush over saddles, and along the coastline of ridge lines, offering scenic views and magnificent scenery.

The Queen Charlotte Track has a unique combination of public and private land and it runs almost through the entire length of New Zealand’s Trek – Queen Charlotte Sound.  A number of factors make this track compelling, but the plus point is that you don’t have to carry your pack.

In the area, there are facility centers that can transfer your pack by boat to your destination each day. Those who decide to carry their own often change their mind when they see other walkers striding by. Another great aspect of the trek is that there is a wide range of accommodations available, from basic campsite to luxury lodges.

Queen Charlotte’s Track Overview

Track area – 71kms
Walking and trekking – 3-5 days
Mountain Biking –
• Intermediate: Grade 3
• Advanced: Grade 4
No dog access

Walking the Trek

Parts of the trek are on private land and a Queen Charlotte Land Cooperative pass is required to walk or ride the track in these sections which are between Kenepuru and Davies Bay near Anakiwa.

Mountain biking in the trek

Mountain biking is a great alternative to walking The Queen Charlotte Track. You can go on your bike on the track all year round except for the section between Ship Cove and Kenepuru Saddle. They close the area for bikers over the peak summer season, from 1 December to 28 February each year.

Biking Times approximation

• Ship Cove to Camp Bay: 5hrs, 26.5kms
• Camp Bay to Torea Saddle: 4hrs, 24.5kms
• Torea Saddle to Anakiwa: 4hrs, 20kms

Note: There are no facilities along the way for repairing bikes. So, please make sure you have all the necessary tool and equipment to work on your own repairs.

Short Walks

Having a good access by the road, most of the sections of the The Queen Charlotte Track can be used for day walks. There are some short side trips along the way.

• At Ship Cove, you can take up the waterfall Track to a small waterfall in the forest.
• At the beginning of Endeavour Inlet, the Antimony Track leads to a saddle and passes through an area that was extensively mined for antimony.
• In the Mistletoe Bay, the James Vogel Natural Track allows you to explore the forest area, behind the picnic and camping area.
• The Peninsula Walk explores the peninsula between Mistletoe and the Waterfall Bays.

Accommodation and Camping

You can choose to bike or walk the track independently while carrying all of your stuff or you can carry a daypack and have your main gear transported by one of the water taxi companies.

There are 6 DOC managed, self-registration campsites on the track, each accommodating toilets, and water supplies. Some also have cooking facilities and picnic tables, but you will have to carry your own cooker and food.

There are also a number of private accommodations, offering hostel, cabin, lodges, campsites, hotel, and motel, alongside or close to trek area.

Note: The private tracks that leave the main track are not constructed to the same standard as Queen Charlotte, New Zealand Trek and may be narrow, slippery, and steep.

Things to take along – Checklist

• Raincoat
• Warm jacket
• Woolen socks
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Day Pack
• Drink Bottle
• Sunscreen
• Blister patches
• Toiletries
• Dietary Spare Supplies

Image Sources [1] [2]

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