New Zealand Walk: we come

Queen Charlotte Track

Queen Charlotte

We’re all going on a summer holiday

No more working for a week or two.

Fun and laughter on our summer holiday,

No more worries for me or you,

For a week or two.

We’re going where the sun shines brightly

We’re going where the sea is blue.

We’ve all seen it on the movies,

Now let’s see if it’s true.

They say that a change is climate is one of the attractions as good as a holiday and they are keen to encourage New if COVID-19 has taught Zealanders to come and experience us anything at all, it’s that for themselves this coming summer. change can remind us of what is There’s also history here too. important in life. Family, friends, The Queen Charlotte Track offers good times, fun in the sun and a spectacular 72km hike from laughter. And, of course, the the historic Meretoto/Ship Cove importance of being kind. through to picturesque Anakiwa.

The operators behind the Queen Ship Cove is a place that features Charlotte Track in the Marlborough high on the list of most iconic Sounds know something about historic places for New Zealanders most of these things, fun in the to visit as it was here the first sun being one of them! Located sustained contact between the New in one of the sunniest regions in Zealand Maori and the European New Zealand, the great summer took place.

CruiseandWalk–QueenCharlotteTrack MarlboroughSounds

CRUISES for SENIORS In a controlled and safe environment Affinity Cruises have been cruising with the NZ 60+ age range since 1996

What is a ‘Cruise and Walk?

Live-a-board the vessel Affinity and go ashore each day to walk the different sections of the track. Fully catered, no heavy packs to carry, hot showers, comfy cabins. Departs from and returns to Picton.

www.affinitycruises.co.nz 0800 862 334 sales@affinitycruises.co.nz CRUISES also available for groups of FRIENDS or FAMILY

Track . . . Here we come!

Words by Juliet Gibbons, photos by Richard Briggs Photography and Daniel Forster.

This came to national prominence earlier this year as New Zealand commemorated 250 years since the arrival of Captain James Cook in what became the precursor to European settlement in New Zealand. Meretoto/Ship Cove was the epicentre of English navigator Captain James Cook’s explorations in the South Pacific – a snug cove in the outer Queen Charlotte Sound where he replenished water supplies, rested his men and repaired his ships on five different visits between 1770 and 1777.

Above: Skyline ridges along the track offer unrivalled views of the unique sunken river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds.

. . . Here we come!

British sovereignty was first proclaimed by Cook over the South Island when the British flag was formally raised on the summit of Motuara Island, opposite Ship Cove, on 31st January 1770. As well as its historical connections, the Queen Charlotte Track is a truly unique New Zealand walk due to its variety of landscapes as the well-defined track passes through lush coastal forest, meanders around tranquil bays and traverses skyline ridges affording unsurpassed views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. The terrain is regarded as undulating with hills ranging from sea level to just over 400 metres and most of the track is wide and benched which makes for a pleasant stroll. The trail crosses a mixture of public and private land, a unique partnership between the Department of Conservation, QCTLC (Queen Charlotte Track Land Co-operative) and Marlborough District Council, and visitors are required to have purchased the appropriate pass if crossing the private land sections. You will find real New Zealand here – where friendly locals welcome you to their door, your bags are transferred each day and the access is easy while you adventure. This is a walking track Visit the Official Website of the Queen Charlotte Track

www.qctrack.co.nz

Queen Charlotte Track . . . Here We Come!

where you can create memories in your own style and at a budget that suits your wallet.

The track can be walked year-round thanks to that great Marlborough Sounds’ climate with the most popular season being from November to May.

It is also a popular trail for mountain bikers with some sections open all year to enjoy.

The majority of visitors access the track by boat from the port of Picton but day walks are available where the road meets the track

Quality Picton accommodation at great rates.

Above left: Queen Charlotte Track Inc. chair Rob Burn (pictured) plans to ‘walk the talk’ this winter and get out in his own backyard. Below right: Water taxi options provide access to the start at Meretoto/Ship Cove and end at Anakiwa, adding to the experience. such as at Anakiwa, Torea Bay and Te Mahia Saddle.

You can camp at Department of Conservation campsites, private campsites and farm stays, or opt for accommodation in backpackers, home stays, bed and breakfasts, retreats and lodges or hotels along the way all while taking advantage of the water transport services which allow your luggage to be transferred each day.

Cook for yourself or take the night off, if staying at or near accommodation with restaurants. Many of the smaller lodges offer catering options too.

For those with a little more time, or seeking something a little different, there are many other activities that can be enjoyed along the way. These include swimming, fishing, sailing, sea kayaking, bird and dolphin watching, diving and historic side trips. Glow-worm grottos add to the nightlife.

There are guided and unguided packaged walking options available too and both can have their packs carried for them from any of the access points along the track by arrangement with transport operators.

The sheer pleasure of arriving or departing the track by sea adds to the experience and with its historic interest and many comfortable accommodation houses along the way serving good food and wine, it could easily be called the ‘gourmet’s trail’.

Come and experience the breathtaking ridge top panoramas of Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds and enjoy the company of friendly hosts and superb food and wine.

For more information on how to book your ‘summer holiday’ see the official track website at www. qctrack.co.nz

Package deals available. Make us part of your plan.

Book direct and save.

Ph 03 573 7116

www.tombstonebp.co.nz email tombstonebp@xtra.co.nz 8 Walking New Zealand, issue no 268 - 2020

Queen Charlotte Track walking packages Let us arrange it all for you

Includes: • Private, en suite rooms • Luggage transfers • Restaurant meals available • Daily packed lunches • Pre-trip briefing • Private Land Track Pass • Information kit and map Locally owned and operated family business based in Picton

Walking the Talk

Queen Charlotte Track Inc. has championed the virtues of the Queen Charlotte Track since 1993 and COVID-19 is a challenge the organisation is ready to meet and overcome.

Chairman Rob Burn is set to ‘walk the talk’ of supporting local when he and his wife Carolyn retrace the steps she last walked 25 years ago, completing most of the Queen Charlotte Track this winter.

“I have promised Carolyn a walk on the Queen Charlotte Track the first chance we get, seeing our own backyard, especially with our Autumn weather still good,” he says.

“Most of our operator members have not had an easy time over the last few months and without international flights our tourism businesses will likely just be welcoming our fellow Kiwis who we hope will explore our local offerings to get us through this coming Winter and Summer,” he says.

Rob and his wider committee are motivated to ensure New Zealanders are aware of the wonderful experience the Queen Charlotte Track offers.

“Our other ray of sunshine could be the ‘TransTasman Bubble’ concept being worked on now. We all know our Aussie cousins and expat Kiwis love to walk, cycle, eat and drink and that is what the Queen Charlotte Track can offer in abundance,” he says.

So fellow New Zealanders, there has never been a better time to follow in Rob’s footsteps, to support local New Zealand walking trails like the Queen Charlotte Track and venture out into your big backyard.

What are you waiting for New Zealand? Below: The track is well-defined and passes through stretches of lush coastal forest with punga ferns creating a canopy overhead.

Natural Encounters Walks www.natural-encounters.com info@natural-encounters.com Ph: 021 268 8879