QCT provides a great chance for biophilia!
According to a recent article in the BBC. Being in nature reduces stress and provides other benefits.
Stretching 71 km from Ship Cove to Anakiwa
The Queen Charlotte Track (QCT) is a unique New Zealand partnership between the Department of Conservation, Marlborough District Council and 11 private landowners, including a Maori Trust.
Purchase Pass
Purchase your 1 Day, Multi-Day, or Season Pass for the QCT here. School children walk free.
Sponsor Promotions
Thank you to our generous sponsors for these awesome deals!
Track Enhancements
See how QCTLC uses pass fees to improve the track year after year.
Track History
Explore the discovery and development of the Queen Charlotte Track.
About Us
For over 20 years, private landowners have made their land available for the Queen Charlotte Track. The Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative (QCTLC) was formed in 2010 to help ensure the sustainability of the 70 kilometer track.
Today, 10 private landowners make their land available for your hiking and biking enjoyment for a small fee. Proceeds help with maintenance, improvements, and access.
Support The Native Tree Planting Programme!
With future generations in mind, we are planting New Zealand native trees that once inhabited this land in abundance. Enhancement efforts include rimu, totara, cabbage trees, nikau palms, and others. Your valuable contribution will greatly assist in these efforts.
Support tree planting
Support our tree planting programme financially to reforest areas that have been cleared in the past.
Support our volunteers
Our work is voluntary
Your donation will provide support for our volunteers work!
Department of Conservation (DOC)
Learn more about hiking or biking the QCT from DOC, including campground locations and fitness requirements.
Destination Marlborough
Learn more about Marlborough and the Queen Charlotte Track.
History of the Queen Charlotte Track
Māori arrive in New Zealand and inhabit Marlborough Sounds area
Māori have inhabited the Marlborough Sounds for hundreds of years. Three iwi - Rangitane, Ngati Kuia and Ngati Apa - trace their descent from the Kurahaupo waka, and can be termed 'Kurahaupo iwi'. They have been in the Marlborough Sounds since the sixteenth or seventeenth centuries, settling it from Nukutaurua in the North Island.
Captain James Cook arrives at Ship Cove.
The first known European to visit the Marlborough Sounds was the English explorer, Captain James Cook, on the HMS Endeavour.
Cook sailed into Ship Cove, which is now the start of the Queen Charlotte Track, on January 17, 1770. During his three world voyages, he made this small cove his South Pacific base for the next seven years. It was here the first social interaction between South Island Māori and Europeans took place.
"Queen Charlotte” was the name he gave the Sound, after the Queen Consort of King George III of England. The Māori name is “Totaranui”, reflecting the Totara trees growing there.
Partial track closure due to funding loss.
Track maintenance continued, until government restructuring meant funding disappeared. As a result, the Portage to Punga Cove section closed. Together with friends and family, landowner Rod Eatwell continued to mow Kenepuru Ridge and keep possum and pig numbers down. Cattle grazed on the track from Kenepuru Saddle to Black Rock Station.
"Whenever Your Troubles Get To Be Too Much, Walk To The Top Of A Mountain."
-Rod Eatwell (1928-2018), QCTLC member
Our FAQ's
Water
No drinking water is available on the track. Please carry adequate water with you. All campsite water requires boiling or proper filtration.Water
Toilets
Permitted in designated areas only. Leave no trace- cover your waste!
Camping
Permitted in designated areas only.
Mountain Biking
Allowed year round, except between Ship Cove and Kenepuru Saddle, which is closed in the busy summer season (1st December and 28th February). E biking is allowed, but speed restrictions apply. Please see DOC web site for details.
Purchase a Pass on our App
The app contains information about the history, plants and wildlife you will see on the track and pictures to help you identify them. Download the app from your app store. You can purchase the pass in the app using apple pay or google pay. The pass will be displayed in the app.
Download the app now
What Clients Say
Loved this walk! Such a beautiful track, great accommodation options and not too difficult. Track was well sign-posted and had good facilities. Not too busy either. We'll be back, perhaps with mountain bikes!
Sanna, October 2022
‘“After each amazing days walk, following a well established track from the beach to the bush with the birds in full voice, we were rewarded with great lodging and great food. Fantastic 4 days.”