While doing the Tongariro Northern Circuit, some Brits we met tipped us off to their favorite South Island track: the Queen Charlotte Track on the northern tip (out of Picton). Why their favorite?
- Backpack delivery: You only have to carry a day pack and the rest of your stuff will be delivered to the campsite or lodging of your choice each day at no extra charge (included with the boat ride to the trailhead). It’ll be waiting for you by the time you arrive.
- Beers at the end of the day: Since much of the track goes over private land, there are a bunch of lodges and inns where you can buy food and/or drink. If you wanted to, you could buy all of your food along the way and stay at these lodges for a very cushy hiking experience.
- No crowds. Since it is has not been designated one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks”, it is far less crowded than many other tracks.
- Beautiful views. As you hike on the ridge lines, you overlook not one, but two beautiful sounds.
Queen Charlotte Sound. Our photos don't do it justice.
Needless to say, we were sold! We spent three long days of hiking (27km, 24km, 21km) taking in the beautiful views and the lush forest. To top it off, along the way we discovered the origin of the red-with-white-dots Super Mario mushroom! Bonus!
Eat to get bigger
A few more photos from the Queen Charlotte track here.
Manuela // Apr 20, 2010 at 9:42 am
The weka looks beautiful and the mushroom looks too perfect/fake!
Was the bird very close? Not afraid of you?
aileen // Apr 20, 2010 at 10:55 pm
The wekas get really close, they’re not shy at all since until recently they didn’t have any predators. The way they beg for food is pretty cute. (Before humans brought all sorts of invasive species, the only 2 mammals in NZ were seals and bats.)