Self-Guided Hike, Boat Transfer
8 hours 30 minutes · Beachcomber Cruises
from $67 per person Check availability →
Hike To Eatwells Lookout
Queen Charlotte Track Self Guided Hike to Eatwells Lookout
from $83.40 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Meeting point
- London Quay
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Cougar Line
Overview
This is a self guided day on the Queen Charlotte Track, built around a boat transfer from Picton and a walk up to Eatwells Lookout. Cougar Line runs the transport from London Quay, at the Picton Town Wharf, and the day runs roughly nine hours from the 09:00 start. The track pass is included in the fare, so the paperwork side of things is handled before you set off.
The format is straightforward. You travel by boat along Queen Charlotte Sound, walk at your own pace, and return to the same meeting point at the end of the day. Because there is no guide walking with you, the route, the rests and the time spent at the lookout are yours to set. That suits confident hikers who like a defined destination without a fixed group pace.
It is not a stroll. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the length of the day means weather and footwear make more of a difference than many people expect. It is not wheelchair accessible, and groups are capped at 99 travellers, though on this self guided walk the crowd thins quickly once everyone sets off at their own speed. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking.
From$83.40 per person
Duration9 hours
Reviews1 review
What's Included
Included
- Public transportation
- Admission fee - Track pass
Run byCougar Line
Itinerary
- Check in at London QuayMeet at Cougar Line on London Quay, Picton, at the Picton Town Wharf. The office is a short walk from the town centre, the Interislander ferry terminal and the bus station. Start time is 09:00.
- Boat transfer on the soundTravel by Cougar Line boat along Queen Charlotte Sound to the track access point. Public transportation and the track pass are both included in the fare.
- Self guided hike to Eatwells LookoutWalk the Queen Charlotte Track to Eatwells Lookout at your own pace. There is no guide, so you set your own rhythm and how long you linger at the top.
- Return by boatRejoin the Cougar Line service back to Picton. The activity ends back at the meeting point on London Quay.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points worth knowing before you book a nine hour hiking day with a boat at each end.
- Fitness and pace. A moderate level of physical fitness is required for this cruise. The day runs about nine hours door to door, so build in steady pacing rather than a fast start. Since the hike is self guided, you walk to your own schedule.
- What is covered. The fare includes the boat transport and the Queen Charlotte Track pass. Food and drink are not mentioned as included, so plan to carry your own for the full day.
- Weather matters. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund, so it pays to keep some flexibility in your travel plans.
- Getting there. Check in at the Cougar Line office on London Quay at the Picton Town Wharf. It is a short walk from the town centre, the Interislander ferry terminal and the bus station, which helps if you are arriving by ferry or bus.
- Group size. A maximum of 99 travellers can join this activity. In practice a self guided format spreads people out along the track rather than keeping everyone in one bunch.
- Self-Guided Hike, Boat Transfer$67
- Hike to Eatwells Lookout (this tour)$83.40
- Ultimate Day Walk, Kupes Trail$211.67
- Accessibility. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. If mobility is a concern, this full day of walking is a stretch.
Common issues. The main limits are the key restrictions to keep in mind. This is not wheelchair accessible, moderate fitness is expected, and the whole outing runs about nine hours, which is a long day for anyone not used to being on their feet. Food is not listed as included, so budget for your own lunch and snacks. Weather can cancel the day, though you then get a choice of a new date or a full refund. Cancellations on your side need to be made at least 24 hours before the 09:00 start or the payment is not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
The boat transport with Cougar Line is included; the Queen Charlotte Track pass is an admission fee paid separately. The day starts and finishes at the Cougar Line office on London Quay in Picton.
Is Food Provided?
Food and drink are not listed as included. Bring your own lunch, snacks and water for the full day, since the outing runs about nine hours.
Where Do I Meet The Tour?
Check in at Cougar Line, Queen Charlotte Track Cruises, London Quay, Picton, at the Picton Town Wharf. The office is a short walk from the town centre, the Interislander ferry terminal and the bus station. Start time is 09:00 and the day ends back at the same point.
Is This Hike Suitable For Beginners Or People With Limited Mobility?
A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for this tour, which is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed. If you are comfortable walking for most of a nine hour day at your own pace, it is achievable.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the 09:00 start for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted, with cut-off times based on local time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you get a different date or a full refund.
What Should I Bring?
No packing list is stated, so prepare as you would for a full day of walking: sturdy shoes, water, food, and layers for changing weather. A confirmation is sent at the time of booking, and the trip needs good weather to run.
Check Live Dates And Prices
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
Check availability →Other Days Worth Comparing
Ultimate Day Walk, Kupes Trail
9 hours 30 minutes · E-Ko New Zealand Ltd
from $211.67 per person Check availability →