Wilderness Walking at its most civilized
Tired of lugging a heavy pack? Keen for a change from freeze dried foods? And not to mention some home comforts at the end of a day’s walking such as a hot shower, cold beer (or wine) and comfortable bed. If the answer is yes to any or all of the above, t
New Zealand’s newly crowned ‘Queen of Tracks’ offers walking in a very civilized manner with not a heavy pack or two minute noodle packet in sight.
Picton-based adventure tourism experts Wilderness Guides have spent the past 17 years hosting walkers to experience the Queen Charlotte Track and have packages to suit all tastes and budgets.
From family trips to backpacker style accommodation options combining hiking with kayaking and mountain biking through to the premier hotel and boutique lodge guided and independent walks, there is something for everyone in their offerings. All feature the Queen Charlotte Track’s unique bag transfer system meaning you walk with just a day pack along the way.
Owner Juliet Gibbons says a good many Kiwis hike the Queen Charlotte Track but as one of the most accessible tracks located in central New Zealand, many more should give it a go.
Juliet and her husband Steve have enjoyed hosting thousands of walkers over the years and say their independent track packages tend to be very popular with New Zealanders but bookings on guided hikes are also on the increase.
“Our boutique guided walk is perfect as it is the most upmarket packaged option to experience the Queen Charlotte Track and it really is a chance to come and stay in fine accommodation, dine on fine food and sample local wines – all while working off those spoils during the day on New Zealand’s most diverse coastal track,” she says.
Walkers stay in upmarket accommodation including the famed No Road Inn, Mahana Lodge, Raetihi Lodge and Lochmara Lodge.
The Queen Charlotte Track may have been viewed in the past by some as the ‘soft option’ New Zealand walking track with its comfy lodge-style accommodation but it is without a doubt still a great challenge and the ridgeline views had on two days along the way are world-class, says Juliet.
“And you can still lug a pack like a good keen Kiwi if you wish but most choose to take advantage of the great water taxi system whereby your overnight gear is transported for you each day.”
Wilderness Guides offer a comprehensive range of independent packages staying at iconic Marlborough Sounds’ properties such as Furneaux Lodge, Punga Cove and Portage Hotel
ranging in length from three days to sometimes up to seven. “We prepare a lot of customised itineraries taking what our clients want to do and creating a special trip just for them,” says Juliet.
Popular added attractions are the option to add on a guided visit to the spectacular Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary in the Outer Queen Charlotte Sound while en route to the start of the track at Ship Cove.
Here walkers can view the rare South Island Saddleback along with cheeky bush robins, bellbirds and sometimes little blue penguins in nesting boxes. “This is a wonderful way to start your walk with a chance of seeing birds that are not often encountered on the mainland,” says Juliet.
Kayaking is also a popular pursuit and if hikers fancy resting their feet for a day and taking a kayak tour, Wilderness Guides can arrange guided and independent rental kayak trips to combine with packages along the trail.
The Marlborough Sounds is a world-class safe sea kayaking destina- tion with a myriad of bays and coves to explore and wildlife to see, says Juliet.
So take the opportunity soon to explore New Zealand and the Queen Charlotte Track and truly understand why the rest of the world wants to come here.
For more information, please con- tact: Juliet & Steve Gibbons, Wilderness Guides. Web: www.wildernessguidesnz.com.