Queen Charlotte Track, Nydia Track & Nelson Lakes Hiking Tour  

📌New Itinerary

Enjoy hiking bliss in three different locations

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This tour combines hiking in some of our favourite regions in the South Island. We begin on one of Aotearoa’s best-known walkways, the Queen Charlotte Track, before continuing into the remote Marlborough Sounds for two nights in a unique nature retreat. We finish inland with a day walk in Nelson Lakes National Park, surrounded by mountain scenery. Come along and experience a great mix of terrain – from beach to farmland, and native bush gullies to stunning hilltop views.

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Day 1: Christchurch - Picton

Pick up in Christchurch between 9:30 and 10am. Today is a travel day as we make our way north to Picton, our base for the first part of the tour. We stop in Kaikoura to stretch our legs on the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, spot some seals and have lunch (not included) before continuing north. We arrive in Picton in the afternoon and settle in for the next two nights. In the evening, we introduce ourselves and talk about the journey ahead while enjoying our welcome drinks.

 

Driving: ~ 5 hours / ~ 340 km

Accommodation: Picton – Holiday Home & Cottages
Meals: D

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Day 2: Queen Charlotte Track – Motuara Island & Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove

This morning we depart Picton by boat and cruise through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Motuara Island. The island is a predator-free sanctuary and a wonderful place to spot native birdlife. A short but rewarding walk leads up to the lookout (~ 20 mins), where stunning 360-degree views open across Queen Charlotte Sound and beyond.

From Motuara Island we continue by boat to Furneaux Lodge, where we begin our walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. The track winds through regenerating native bush, follows the shoreline at times and offers lovely views across the sounds. The walking today is relaxed and scenic, with plenty of opportunities to stop and simply enjoy the surroundings as we make our way to Punga Cove.

After the walk we return by boat to Picton.

 

Boat Transfers: ~ 2 hours total

Hiking: ~ 3.5 - 4 hours / ~ 11 km, plus Motuara Island Walk

Accommodation: Picton – Holiday Home & Cottages

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 3: Queen Charlotte Track – Anakiwa to Mistletoe Bay (or Torea Bay)

After breakfast we check out of our accommodation in Picton and drive to Anakiwa, where we begin another beautiful section of the Queen Charlotte Track. The track starts gently through mature beech forest before climbing onto an old bridle path high above the water. The walking is well formed and unhurried, with ever-changing views across the sounds.

Part of the group might finish the walk at Mistletoe Bay, where there is time to relax, enjoy the bay and perhaps dip your feet in the water. Those who would like a longer and more challenging day can continue walking on to Torea Bay.

From Mistletoe Bay there is usually more than 1.5 hours free time before the water taxi arrives, giving everyone time to slow down and enjoy the peaceful setting.

After returning by water taxi to Anakiwa we continue by road to Havelock, where we stay overnight. Dinner tonight is at the legendary Mussel Pot Inn (not included).

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Driving time: ~ 1 hour 15 mins / ~ 70 km

Hiking time: ~ 4 hours / ~ 13 km to Mistletoe Bay

Optional extension to Torea Bay: ~ 6 – 7 hours / ~ 21 km total

Accommodation: Havelock – Motel

Meals: B, L, S

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Day 4: Nydia Track – Duncan Bay to Nydia Bay

After breakfast we check out of our accommodation in Havelock. Before departing, we leave our small overnight bag with the items needed for the next two nights at the harbour, from where it will be transferred separately to the lodge. We then travel by shuttle bus to Duncan Bay, the Nydia Track starting point. Our shuttle departs Havelock at 9:15am and arrives at Duncan Bay around 10:30am.

From here we begin our walk through the beautiful and remote Marlborough Sounds landscape. The track climbs steadily through regenerating native bush to Nydia Saddle before descending again towards the coast. Along the way there are lovely views across the sounds, peaceful forest sections and a real sense of being away from it all.

By late afternoon we arrive at the beautiful On The Track Lodge at Nydia Bay, where we stay for the next two nights. The lodge sits in a peaceful bayside setting and feels wonderfully remote and relaxed. Tonight we enjoy the first of our lodge dinners together.

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Hiking time: ~ 5.5 hours / ~ 12 km

Accommodation: Nydia Bay - On the Track Lodge

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 5: Nydia Track – Optional Walks or Relaxing Day

Today is a more flexible day to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Nydia Bay at your own pace. Some women may simply choose to relax around the lodge, enjoy the bay, read a book or make use of the free kayaks available.

For those who would like to keep exploring on foot, there are one or two shorter walks nearby. The Tramline Walk starts close to the lodge and follows traces of the old timber milling days through beautiful native forest and small stream crossings. Another option is to walk part of the Nydia Track towards the DOC hut in Nydia Bay and return the same way.

This quieter day gives everyone the opportunity to slow down a little and enjoy this very special corner of the Marlborough Sounds.

Hiking: ~ 5-6 hours / ~ 13 km

Accommodation: Nydia Bay - On the Track Lodge

Meals: B, L, D, S

 

Day 6: Nydia Track – Kaiuma Saddle – St Arnaud

Today we head into the other direction. From the lodge the track leads across open farmland beside a stream, crossing it twice. The climb to Kaiuma Saddle (387m) through beech forest and regenerating scrub offers more great views. We might even see Marlborough’s highest mountain Mt Tapuae-O-Uenuku (2885m), in the distant Inland Kaikoura Mountains.
From the saddle, the track drops quickly to cross a stream and then climbs a little into the forest and sidles around to a point above Kaiuma Bay, before dropping down to the car park. Arriving in Kaiuma Bay means saying a reluctant goodbye to this tranquil place. We will be transferred back to Havelock and continue by road to St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes region, our base for two nights.

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Driving: ~ 2 hours / ~ 125 km

Hiking: ~ 5 hours / ~ 12 km

Accommodation: St Arnaud – Historical Inn  & Cottages

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 7: Nelson Lakes National Park – Mount Robert Circuit

Today we explore gorgeous Nelson Lakes National Park on the Mount Robert Circuit.
The loop track takes us up Pinchgut Track which zigzags up the steep, bare face of Pourangahau/Mt Robert on a well graded track before entering beech forest. After climbing for about 1h 30mins we reach the tree line where forest gives way to alpine herbs and shrubs. From here the track continues across the open ridge top and reaches Relax Shelter a few minutes on. At a junction just past this shelter, Paddy’s Track begins and heads east to Bushline Hut, a great place to stop for lunch as it enjoys all-day sun and allows sweeping views toward St Arnaud township and the head of Lake Rotoiti.
We have done all the hard work, so on the decline down Paddy’s Track we can simply enjoy the magnificent views of the St Arnaud Mountain Range. All up this is a great day walk with varying terrain, some exposed parts but also nice shady spots in the forest, and amazing views nearly all the way around.

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Hiking: ~ 4-5 hours / ~ 9 km

Accommodation: St Arnaud – Historical Inn  & Cottages

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 8: St Arnaud – Christchurch

We return to Christchurch via Lewis Pass, one of the South Island’s most scenic inland routes, with time for comfort stops along the way. We will arrive in Christchurch around 4 pm and drop you off with a fond farewell at either the airport or in town.

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Driving : ~ 5 hours / ~ 350 km

Meals: B

B-Breakfast  L-Lunch  D-Dinner  S-Snack

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Tour Grading

🥾 Queen Charlotte Track, Nydia Track & Nelson Lakes – Grade 3 (Moderate)

This tour is graded as Moderate – but don’t let that worry you!
The tracks are all well-formed and easy to follow, with just the occasional muddy or uneven section. It’s the length of the walks (around 4–5 hours per day) and a few gentle climbs that put it into this category.

🌊 Queen Charlotte Track: ~280m elevation gain on Day 1, ~400m on Day 2

🌿 Nydia Track: ~350m elevation each day

🏔️ Mt Robert Circuit: ~550m elevation

You can find more about how we grade our tours here: → Our Hiking Track Grading System explained

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👉 Our recommendation

Perfect if you’re in good health, enjoy walking, and are used to being on your feet a bit longer. You don’t need extended hiking experience – just a reasonable level of fitness and a love for the outdoors. We’d love to say it’s easy – and for many it is! – but we prefer to be honest so you can feel confident and well-prepared.