OUR NEW ZEALAND HIKING TOURS  

For the 2026/2027 season, this tour is offered with a slightly revised route (see new itinerary below). The change affects the order of travel only, while all highlights, walking locations, and included services remain the same. As a result, the tour name has been adjusted to Queen Charlotte, Nydia Track & Nelson Lakes to reflect the new travel order. 

Enjoy hiking bliss in three different locations.

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 10:00 and 10:30 am. 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 (NNQ26-0111: three nights). In the evening, we introduce ourselves and talk about the journey ahead.

 

Driving: ~ 5 hours / ~ 340 km

 

Accommodation: Picton – Holiday Home & Cottages
Meals: D

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Day 2: Queen Charlotte Track – Anakiwa to Mistletoe Bay

A short drive takes us to Anakiwa where we begin our first hike on the Queen Charlotte Track. The track starts gently through mature beech forest before climbing onto an old bridle path above the water. The walking is well formed and unhurried, allowing time to settle into the rhythm of the track. We are picked up by water taxi at Mistletoe Bay and transferred back to Anakiwa before returning to Picton.

 

Driving: ~ 45 mins / ~ 25 km
Hiking: ~ 4 hours / ~ 13 km

Accommodation: Picton – Holiday Home & Cottages
Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 3: Queen Charlotte Track – Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge

We travel by water taxi to Ship Cove and take time to explore this historic site before setting off. The track climbs steadily through largely unmodified forest to a saddle with views over both the inner and outer Queen Charlotte Sound, before descending through bush into Endeavour Inlet. There might be some time to relax and enjoy being at Furneaux Lodge before our water taxi returns us to Picton. We drive to Havelock.

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Driving: ~ 1 hour / ~ 60 km

Hiking: ~ 5 hours / ~ 17 km

Accommodation: Havelock – Motel  (NNQ26-0111: Picton - Holiday Home & Cottages)

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 4: Havelock – Nydia Bay (Tramline Walk)

A water taxi takes us from Havelock to Nydia Bay in the beautiful Pelorus Sound. Here we spend two nights at a unique beachside lodge where we stay in a delightful yurt (or upgrade to a twin room chalet or single room).
Please note that there is a 15-minute walk to the lodge from the Nydia Bay jetty and you will need to carry your own bag/luggage (no sleeping bag necessary). We can provide you with a small bag for the luggage you would like to take to the lodge (if your daypack is too small).
In the afternoon we go for a first walk to take in the beautiful natural surroundings. The Tramline Walk starts just outside the lodge at beach level and takes us up into pristine Punga forest (1.5h/3km return trip). There are small easily fordable streams to cross along the way (your boots might get wet, but the rest of you won’t). We will see signs of timber milling from the nineteenth century, old timber sleepers and tracks partly submerged in native bush. In time we will come to a beautiful natural clearing with Rimu, Beech and Pohutukawa trees. Then we head back for the first of our two-course dinners which will be waiting for us each night at the lodge (included). We will feel like we are on a retreat!

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Hiking: ~ 5-6 hours / ~ 13 km

Accommodation: Nydia Bay - On the Track Lodge

Meals: B, L, D, S

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Day 5: Nydia Track – Hiking Day to Nydia Saddle

We wake up to our first hiking day on the Nydia Track, exploring the magical Marlborough Sounds on foot. Our lodge sits halfway along the track, so we will go explore in both directions. Today we head up to Nydia Saddle (370m) to enjoy great views over Pelorus Sound. As we are on the Southern side of the Nydia Saddle the track might be damp and perhaps a bit muddy. But this doesn’t matter as we are looking forward to getting to the top through a variety of regenerating native bush and beautiful untouched forest. On our way we will cross streams (on bridges) and have the opportunity to watch giant pet eels.
From Nydia Saddle we return to the lodge and can enjoy some relaxing time around the lodge (free kayaks available) before it’s time for another scrumptious dinner prepared by the lodge for us.

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 1 hr 30 mins 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.

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🌊 Queen Charlotte Track: ~200m on Day 1, ~400m on Day 2

🌿 Nydia Track: ~350m elevation gain each day

🏔️ Mt Robert Circuit: ~550m elevation

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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 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.

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