Four Day Boutique Lodge Queen Charlotte Track Guided Walk

Itinerary

Like the idea of having everything arranged for you and staying in superb boutique accommodation? Our Boutique Lodges Four Day Guided Walk takes the best boutique lodge accommodation available in the Marlborough Sounds within access to the Queen Charlotte Track combined with luggage transfers, daily lunch and Picton drop off/pickups. If you prefer smaller properties with an emphasis on luxury, personal service, local delicacies and conservation, this is the package for you!

Each night you come to rest at a boutique lodge nestled by the water's edge where your hosts are warm and welcoming, offering up local delights on the lodge menu superbly complimented by fine local wines.

NB. A pre-tour briefing is conducted at our offices in the Picton Railway Station at 5pm the day prior to departure. Please let us know if you are unable to attend for any reason.

Day 1 – Ship Cove to Endeavour Inlet

(approx. 5 hours)

Wilderness Guides collect you from your accommodation in Picton to join the boat trip with Beachcomber Cruises to Motuara Island for a bird sanctuary tour en route to Ship Cove. Learn about the fascinating marine life of this area and, if we are lucky, see dolphins as well! Enjoy a short warm up walk on Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary to the lookout – this affords spectacular 360deg views of the Marlborough Sounds – and see many of New Zealand’s endangered bird species. Arrive late morning at Ship Cove to begin our walk. This scenic & historic reserve was a favourite anchorage for Captain Cook during his explorations in the 1770s. Experience virgin beech forest at its best plus stunning views throughout today’s walk. NB. Our visit to Motuara Island is weather dependent – this is due to the fact there are no toilets or shelter on the island. Packs are to be checked prior to visiting to ensure no traces of our visit are left behind.

Accommodation – No Road Inn

Newly completed for 2008, the No Road Inn is a small waterfront lodge on the only privately owned land in Queen Charlotte Sound where the virgin native forest extends right to the sea. Your hosts Garry and Barbara invite you to join them at their new boutique property nestled at the foot of Mount Furneaux in Endeavour Inlet.

Four spacious suites – the Queen Charlotte Suite, Howden Suite, Resolution Suite and Adventure Suite – await walkers, each with its own super king or twin bed, clawfoot bath and stunning sea and bush views. Set amidst 2000-year old giant rimu and kahikatea trees, the No Road Inn is an oasis for the hiker with a guest lounge, games room, theatre and private hot tub.

Dine this evening on a three course meal of Marlborough fare with local seasonal delicacies including blue cod, greenshell mussels, New Zealand lamb and locally baked bread with olive oils; perfectly matched with a Marlborough wine of your choice.

Day 2 – No Road Inn, Endeavour Inlet to Mahana Lodge, Endeavour Inlet

(approx. 4 hours or 12km)

Today's mainly coastal walk takes you around the inlet through regenerating native bush to the call of bellbirds, fantails and other NZ native birds. Pause at the head of the bay to learn more about antimony & the mining industry that thrived there in the 1880s. Follow the main track onwards and into Big Bay before working your way towards Camp Bay and Punga Cove. Mahana Homestead is a five to 10 minute walk from Punga Cove.

Accommodation - Mahana Homestead

 The clear waters of Endeavour Inlet stretch out towards bush covered mountains and often the only sound is the gentle lapping of the waves, and the song of the bellbird. Your hosts John and Ann have shaped Mahana into an oasis for the weary with its delightful and lovingly restored historic homestead where you dine on the veranda looking out into the bay to the purpose built lodge with four new ensuite rooms and shared guest lounge. Visit John's extensive organic vegetable garden, enjoy free range eggs and test your hosts' knowledge of the local flora and fauna - you won't be disappointed. Dine this evening on the deck, soaking up the beautiful views whilst enjoying a delicious home cooked meal.

Day 3 – Mahana Lodge to Lochmara Lodge

(approx. 8 hours or 22.5km)

You won’t want to leave but today we depart Mahana Lodge and return to the ridgeline to continue our hike along the Queen Charlotte Track. Today is a challenging day traversing the ridgeline between Mahana Lodge and Torea Bay/ Lochmara Lodge. Truly grand vistas abound round every corner – a wonderful reward indeed. Those who feel like a day’s rest are treated to a boat ride around the bays of the Queen Charlotte Sound to Lochmara Lodge. We conclude our walk at Torea Bay and transfer by waiting water taxi to our accommodation at Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery & Arts Centre.

Accommodation – Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery & Arts Centre

Set on the tranquil shores of the Queen Charlotte Sound is the Marlborough Sounds’ only Wildlife Recovery & Arts Centre.

Built by Marlborough locals Shayne Olsen and Louise Bright, since 1997 Lochmara Lodge has achieved national and international recognition as one of the best places to stay in New Zealand. One aspect that has remained constant over that time is the owners’ continued dedication towards art, conservation and education. This is a place where visitors can learn, interact and appreciate New Zealand’s flora, fauna and art, while still offering a unique accommodation experience in beautiful ensuite units with seaviews.

Set in 11 acres, the property features aviaries and enclosures with endangered species breeding programs, organic vegetable garden and orchard, educational signage, sculpture trail and art gallery. It also now has its very own fully licenced café and restaurant, where the cuisine is based on sustainability. The cuisine is simple, rustic and full of flavour, using ingredients that truly give you a taste of this beautiful environment, the Marlborough Sounds.

A fitting finale to your Queen Charlotte Track boutique lodge experience!

Day 4 – Lochmara Lodge to Anakiwa

(approx. 5 hours)

Farewell Lochmara Lodge and ascend to the Queen Charlotte Track once again, enjoying stunning views. Open farmland and a grand native bush section to finish is a fitting finale. Today you return by boat from the Anakiwa Jetty and join Beachcomber Cruises back to Picton to compete your journey.

Guided Four Day Boutique Lodge Guided Walk Package

• 3 nights boutique luxury seaview twin share accommodation with own private ensuite
• All meals – three course dining each evening with all wine included
• Aperitifs each night
• Spa (where available)
• Relaxing massage
• Packed gourmet lunch each day
• Guiding services
• Water transport to and from track
• Luggage transfers
• Single supplement available
• Picton accommodation & dinner transfers before and after walk
• Airport transfers from Blenheim or Picton

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Click here for further information on some of the popular options for sea kayaking and / or hiking in the Marlborough Sounds with Wilderness Guides!