New Zealand Walks: Queen Charlotte Track - It’s

It’s time to awaken your adventurous soul .

Words by Juliet Gibbons

The world has changed and the word lockdown is a new part of our vocabulary.

But in these COVID times there is plenty to be thankful for as New Zealanders have continued, for the most part, to live with a normality not enjoyed in very many other places in the world.

As we are forced to look closer to home for our holidays, Wilderness Guides in Picton have welcomed more Kiwis than ever through the doors of their waterfront office in the seaside port of Picton, dubbed ‘Heart of the Sounds’.

“We really owe New Zealanders our thanks,” says co-owner Juliet Gibbons. She and her husband Steve say when COVID hit, they really did not know what the future would

hold. “We decided that endings are always followed by a beginning and so we set about creating a new reality for our kayak, hike and bike business here in Picton.”

“There has never been a better time for us all to appreciate what we have on our doorstep. The Marlborough Sounds has always been a popular place for New Zealanders to visit but we have been overwhelmed by the support we’ve had from people keen to visit, particularly to walk the Queen Charlotte Track,” says Juliet.

Walking is not all that is on offer here though.

With 1500km of coastline to explore, stretching from just north of Kaikoura to the tip of d’Urville Island, the Marlborough Sounds is a truly remarkable sea kayaking destination. There is wilderness in abundance if you want to escape the crowds and Wilderness Guides can design a trip with this in mind with both rentals and guided trips available.

It’s time to awaken your adventurous soul

“We also provide mountain bikes for hire around the popular trails of Picton – Picton has come of age. It really is a fantastic place to stay and play.”

Whichever option you choose, a great adventure is waiting for you!

“This is a unique opportunity that we all have as New Zealanders to reconnect with nature – and to reshape our visitor industry with protection and enhancement of our unique environment at its core,” says Juliet.

Wilderness Guides has been part of the tourism landscape in the Marlborough Sounds for 22 years this coming October. The business has weathered droughts, fire risk, Covid and more recently damage to the Queen Charlotte Track in a major weather event which struck the region in July. Lockdowns have continued to provide a challenge as well.

“You could say we have seen it all but the beauty of the Marlborough Sounds and what it offers for people keen to walk, kayak and bike is timeless, so we don’t plan to be going anywhere, anytime soon,” she says.

Wilderness Guides invites you to explore the Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Track with them – and reckon it is time to awake your adventurous soul within.

“We’re excited to show you around our backyard as soon as you are able to visit,” says Juliet.