Queen Charlotte Track

A well-formed, mostly ridgeline track with big views over the Marlborough Sounds, usually ridden as a 2 day mountain bike trip.

Time to Ride: Most riders split the 71 km one-way route over 2 days. Strong riders can complete it faster, but the long middle section makes a relaxed pace more enjoyable.

Best Time to Go: Riding is possible year round, but note the seasonal mountain bike closure on the northern section from Meretoto / Ship Cove to Kenepuru Saddle from December to February.

Getting there: Most trips start with a boat transfer from Picton to Meretoto / Ship Cove and finish at Anakiwa (or the other way around). Boat operators also serve several bays en route.

Costs: Adults walking or biking need a Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative pass on the private-land section between Kenepuru Saddle and just past Mistletoe Bay. Budget additionally for water taxis and any accommodation.

Difficulty: Moderate. The track is well formed and easy to follow, but it is long and includes sustained climbs on clay soil, reaching about 470 m at its high point.

The Queen Charlotte Track is a 71 km walking track in the Marlborough Sounds, running between Queen Charlotte Sound and Kenepuru Sound. For most of its length it follows bushy ridgelines between the two waterways, giving near-constant outlooks to the bays on either side.

Maintained by the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), it is one of the country’s most popular tramping routes. Since early 2013 it has also been part of the New Zealand Cycle Trails, opening it up to mountain bike-level riders on a well-formed, clearly signed track.

Access is unusually flexible: water taxis can drop you at multiple points such as Resolution Bay, Panaruawhiti / Endeavour Inlet, Camp Bay, Tōrea Moua / Tōrea Bay, Mistletoe Bay and Anakiwa, letting you tailor the trip to the weather, your fitness, and where you want to stay.

• Stage 1: Meretoto / Ship Cove to Kenepuru Saddle (northern section) - A classic ridge start through native bush and viewpoints above the sounds. This section is closed to mountain biking from December to February.
• Stage 2: Kenepuru Saddle to Panaruawhiti / Endeavour Inlet - Rolling ridgeline riding with frequent openings to the water, then a descent toward the inlet.
• Stage 3: Panaruawhiti / Endeavour Inlet to Camp Bay - Forested track with steady climbs back to the crest, plus options to break the day with a bay pickup or drop-off.
• Stage 4: Camp Bay to Torea Saddle (23 km long section) - The route’s biggest commitment: a long, continuous stretch over clay soil with sustained ups and downs and far-reaching views.
• Stage 5: Torea Saddle to Tōrea Moua / Tōrea Bay - A shorter, more coastal-feeling section as you drop toward the bay, with water taxi access if you need it.
• Stage 6: Tōrea Moua / Tōrea Bay to Mistletoe Bay - Mixed bush and ridgeline riding with more frequent glimpses of sheltered coves; passes through the private-land area covered by the track pass.
• Stage 7: Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa (southern finish) - A scenic final run with alternating bush and open viewpoints before descending to sea level at the track’s southern end.

The track is open to mountain biking year round, but the northern section between Meretoto / Ship Cove and Kenepuru Saddle is closed to bikes from December to February. If you are planning a full end-to-end ride in those months, you will need to adjust your plan.

Expect clay soil and weather that can change quickly along exposed ridges. Because it is one of New Zealand’s most popular tramping routes, be prepared to share the track, especially around boat-access bays and during peak holiday periods.

The usual gateway is Picton, where operators run boat transfers to Meretoto / Ship Cove and to intermediate access points like Resolution Bay, Panaruawhiti / Endeavour Inlet, Camp Bay, Tōrea Moua / Tōrea Bay, Mistletoe Bay and Anakiwa. That boat access is a key part of the track’s logistics for both riders and walkers.

Most people ride north to south, starting at Meretoto / Ship Cove and finishing at Anakiwa, but it works in either direction. Check current access conditions before you rely on road access points, as storms in August 2022 damaged roads that previously provided entry at several saddles and bays.

Adults walking or biking need a Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (Q.C.T.L.C.) pass for the private-land section between Kenepuru Saddle and just past Mistletoe Bay. The fee supports track maintenance, enhancement and access.

The route is maintained by the New Zealand Department of Conservation and is well formed and easy to follow, with bridges over all major streams. Surfaces are mainly clay, and the high point is about 470 m. Bike hire, e-bikes and luggage transfer are commonly arranged via local operators in the Marlborough Sounds and Picton area, and water taxis make it straightforward to shorten or split the ride.

Along the Queen Charlotte Track you can mix New Zealand Department of Conservation campsites with private accommodation in bays and near access points. The ability to arrive by water taxi means many riders plan each night around where they can stay rather than sticking to equal distances.

In busy periods, it is wise to book ahead for private lodges and any transport-linked accommodation, and to confirm availability for DOC campsites if you plan to camp. Because some sections cross private land, staying options and access can be tied to the same areas covered by the Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative pass.