Picton Scenic Boat Cruise and partial Queen Charlotte Track Walk. Stunning half day walk and scenic cruises.
Cruise from Picton to Furneaux Lodge where you disembark. Take the opportunity to grab a coffee or even brunch before beginning your walk to Punga Cove Resort.
This section of the Queen Charlotte Track mainly follows the coastline around Endeavour Inlet through regenerating native bush.
Once farmland, this part of the walkway has reverted to nature and the forest is once again lush and alive with the sound of birdsong.
The area is also rich with history as it was once the site of an Antimony Mine, take some time to read the interpretation panels there. Continue around the shore, with pasture land on either side and then through native forest with views right down the Inlet to the main Queen Charlotte Sound.
Upon arrival at Punga Cove Resort relax on the deck of the Boat Shed Café with a well-deserved beverage before boarding your cruise vessel at 4.20 - 4.30pm for your return boat journey to Picton, arriving back between 5.30pm and 6.00pm.
We chose this track as it was less hilly than the others and we estimated that it would take approx 3.5 to 4 hrs at a comfortable pace. We had the extra benefit of spending about 30 mins at Ship Cove when the first group of walkers were dropped off before we were taken to Furneaux Lodge to start our walk. We were able to grab a coffee at Furneaux before we started. The walk was pleasant and we had the opportunity to stop several times to take a break and admire the amazing views. We arrived at Punga Cove in about 4 hrs and again were able to grab some refreshments, I would highly recommend this section of the track .
The Queen Charlotte Track is a well maintenanced path with great views. The track is free so you're only paying for the boat trip. Nothing else. The guide for the walk is very short and you can get it at every I-site. We did the lodge to lodge walk in 3 hours at a quick pace so we we're at the final destination fairly early. This is no problem but our return ferry was over an hour late. And they couldn't even say sorry. If you can get the boat trip somewhere cheaper, you must certainly do that.
Seeing a pod of dolphins when we passed by Resolution Bay made it all wortg it. It was not a quick boat trip, which was nice coz we get to see a lot of the sounds. The walk was nice too, not difficult and can be done in 3 to 4 hours. The resorts weren't that flash but nice enough. Not too touristy at this part of the year. We went with beachcombers, skipper was knowledgeable. I'd recommend this trip if you only have a day in Picton.
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Maria from New Zealand wrote on 07 April 2022
Great experience
Well worth the trip! Walk took 3.5hr including photo stops. Lunch at Punga Cove was worth the wait and the Baileys Iced Chocolate was awesome!! Despite the showers, we loved the walk and would definitely recommend it even if you only have moderate fitness