Queen Charlotte Track
Also known as: QCT
Panoramas over Queen Charlotte Sound/Totaranui and Kenepuru Sound, historic Meretoto/Ship Cove (Cook's landing), Motuara Island, and lush punga-filled gullies.
Who in your group rides what
Whether everyone in your group gets a day at Queen Charlotte Track - the grades on offer, the named zones, and how mixed abilities split up.
NZ Grade 3 (intermediate) predominant, with Grade 4 (advanced) and Grade 5 (expert) sections; roughly 62% Grade 3, 28% Grade 4, 10% Grade 5.
GROUP SPLIT: three natural sections (Ship Cove-Punga Cove, Punga Cove-Torea/Portage, Torea-Anakiwa). Less-fit riders do the shorter Resolution Bay or Furneaux Lodge to Punga Cove; strong riders take the technical Punga-Torea and Grade 5 Torea climb. Water taxis drop/collect at Ship Cove, Furneaux, Punga, Torea, Mistletoe Bay and Anakiwa, enabling shorter or descent-biased legs and skipping climbs.
Best for fit intermediate-plus riders; boat and pack transfers plus sectioning make it flexible for mixed groups.
The riding
Well-formed singletrack on old bridle paths through coastal native forest; roots and mud in places, some newly formed soft/narrow sections.
Well-formed point-to-point track with climbs to ridgelines and exhilarating descents; the Punga Cove to Torea/Portage section is the most technical, and steep Grade 5 climbs (e.g. out of Torea/Portage) feature; coastal drop-offs and narrow, soft sections in places.
DOC-signed and well marked as a single point-to-point route from Ship Cove/Meretoto to Anakiwa.
Popular and busy in summer, particularly with walkers.
Season & conditions
Year-round; low coastal elevation, effectively snow-free.
Rideable year-round except the Ship Cove/Meretoto to Kenepuru Saddle section, which is closed to bikes 1 December to 28/29 February (summer).
Summer bike restriction: northern section (Ship Cove-Kenepuru Saddle) closed to mountain bikes 1 Dec to end Feb.
Coastal rain making the track muddy, soft, slippery and narrow; hot, exposed ridgelines in summer.
Getting there & gear
QCTLC Pass required for the private-land sections between Kenepuru/Torea/Te Mahia Saddles and Anakiwa (about NZ$30 multi-day); DOC campsites are bookable/payable online.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Ship Cove/Meretoto is accessible by boat only from Picton; Anakiwa is road-accessible near Picton.
Cougar Line and other Picton water taxis provide start/finish transfers and pack transfers; Anakiwa pickup by water taxi.
Always carry drinking water; simple supplies purchasable at lodges along the way; mobile coverage variable.
Lodges/resorts, DOC campsite toilets and cooking shelters, food and wine stops en route.
Wilderness Guides, Cougar Line, Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company; Picton is the main hub.
Hazards & rescue
Summer bike closure on the northern section; boat/tide logistics; muddy, soft and narrow repaired sections where cyclists may need to walk; remote terrain.
Not required; guided and supported trips available.
Numerous bays (Endeavour Inlet, Resolution Bay, Camp Bay, Torea, Mistletoe, Anakiwa) with water-taxi access for egress.
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand mountain-bike network report. Coordinates are approximate.