Queen Charlotte Track

Monday morning we were picked up for our prearranged guided walk of the first leg of the Queen Charlotte Track. Jes, a hearty young woman, was to be our guide. The Queen Charlotte Track is one of NZ’s designated Great Walks. It is 71 km ( almost 43 miles) long and is normally done over four days. The tramp begins with a 50 minute water taxi ride from Picton's waterfront to Ship’s Cove.

Ship’s Cove was a favorite anchorage spot for Captain Cook on all three of his voyages to the area between 1770 and 1777. Amazingly, for this area, it still has an unusual sandy beach. Historical records indicate that the beach was cleared of rocks on Cook’s command in order to facilitate beaching his vessel for repairs. The surrounding native bush is said to be nearly what it would have been in Cook’s time having never been logged.

Jes, our guide, was a ready source of both historical and natural facts. As the day progressed, she pointed out wekas, the cheeky wild flightless woodhen, and named all the different bays and islands.

She showed us hen and chicken ferns with the little “chicks” growing on the end of the fern ready to fall off and root.

She invited us to touch the large, soft leafed rangiora shrub a.k.a. Bushman’s Toilet Paper and told us about the intriguing black beech scale insects that burrow into the bark and secrete sugar out tiny hair like straws! She also made us hot coffee and tea on her little camping stove for our lunch and tea breaks.

The 9 mile hike took us through native New Zealand bush, up and down hillsides, and along ridges with many views to the water. We have loved the guided walks we’ve done.

By 4:30 we arrived at the Fureaux Lodge on Endeavor Inlet and found the water taxi back to Picton awaiting us. This water taxi was also doing the mail run for various lodges and homes along the water. Mark “got” to deliver the mail at one stop meaning he had to open the boat window, hand out one mail bag, receive another mail bag from the person waiting on the dock, AND give a biscuit to the dog on the dock eagerly awaiting the mail boat.

We were also treated to an absolutely spectacular sunset before arriving in Picton in the dark. Long, wonderful day.