Queen Charlotte Track: Marlborough Sounds Bike and Walk Guide

Overview

The Queen Charlotte Track follows the ridges and bays of the Marlborough Sounds for 73.5 km, from historic Meretoto / Ship Cove to Anakiwa. You reach the start by a scenic water taxi from Picton. Campsites, lodges and resorts dot the bays, and boat operators shuttle luggage between them, so you can ride with just a daypack. Swimming, kayaking and wildlife cruises add to the trip.

Seasoned riders take 2–3 days. It's one of New Zealand's oldest mountain biking adventures. Much of it is Grade 3 (intermediate), with technical Grade 4 sections and a few Grade 5 climbs, so it's best for reasonably fit, experienced mountain bikers.

Highlights

• Magnificent Marlborough Sounds views from the ridgelines, including Eatwell's Lookout
• Sweet-smelling coastal forest, with birdlife thriving thanks to pest trapping
• Meretoto / Ship Cove, where Captain Cook landed in 1770 and the first sustained contact between Māori and Europeans took place
• Waterside resorts, swimming, and bike–cruise–kayak combinations

Track sections

• Ship Cove → Camp Bay: A gentler climb out of the cove since a 2019 realignment, then mostly flat, wide track around Endeavour Inlet. DOC's Camp Bay campsite and nearby lodges are popular overnight stops.
• Camp Bay → Torea Saddle: About 900 m of climbing along the ridge between Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru sounds, often hot and hard work. Some gradients between Kenepuru Saddle and Bay of Many Coves reach Grade 5. Easier option: ride the quiet sealed road from Kenepuru Saddle to Portage.
• Torea Saddle → Anakiwa: A brutal opening climb, which many people push, then views from the tops, an optional detour to Mistletoe Bay, and an easy cruise around the Grove Arm.

Getting back: Take the boat from Anakiwa to Picton, or ride the Link Pathway to Picton (26 km, 2.5–4 hr) or to Havelock (20 km).

Passes and rules

• QCTLC Track Pass: Required to ride between Camp Bay and Anakiwa, which crosses private land. Buy it from selected operators or the Queen Charlotte Track Landowners Co-operative.
• Summer bike rule: From 1 December to 28 February, bikes riding the Ship Cove → Camp Bay section must take the 8am boat to Ship Cove.
• Dogs and horses: Not allowed.

Day rides

Need to know

• Bike: A well-maintained mountain bike is essential. Carry tools. E-bikes are allowed, but they're hard to push up the steepest climbs.
• Water: Supplies are limited, especially in dry summers, so fill up from reliable sources each morning. Picton is the place to stock up.
• Mobile coverage: Patchy from Ship Cove to Camp Bay, and reasonable after that.
• Weather: Good riding year-round. The track gets busy from January to April.
• Road access: Vehicle access via Kenepuru Road has reopened after storm damage, but expect one-lane sections and delays.

Getting there

Picton is the gateway, reached by the interisland ferry from Wellington. Blenheim Airport is 20 minutes away, Nelson 2 hours and Christchurch about 5 hours. Water taxis run from Picton marina. Book accommodation and boats well ahead for January to April. Check DOC's website for track status.