Self-Guided Hike, Boat Transfer
8 hours 30 minutes · Beachcomber Cruises
from $67 per person Check availability →
Ultimate Day Walk, Kupes Trail
Queen Charlotte Track - Ultimate one Day Walk and Cruise
from $211.67 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 30 minutes
- Meeting point
- London Quay
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- E-Ko New Zealand Ltd
Overview
This E-Ko New Zealand tour packs a boat cruise, a guided island walk and a self-guided section of the Queen Charlotte Track into a single 9 hour 30 minute day from Picton. You check in at 1 London Quay by 08:00, at the corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, and the day finishes back at the same spot.
The flow is simple. The boat carries you out through Queen Charlotte Sound, stops at Motuara Island for a guided hour looking at native birds and plants, then continues to the Queen Charlotte Track for roughly four hours on foot. The final stop is Ship Cove, with about 3 hours there before the boat returns. One reviewer described a picnic, a hike and some snorkelling at Ship Cove.
It suits people with moderate fitness who can walk at least 5 km comfortably, and who like the idea of wildlife viewing from the water combined with time alone on the track. Reviewers reported seeing dusky dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, blue penguins and a wide range of birds, so bring a camera with plenty of battery. Lunch is not included, and the group is capped at 30 travellers.
From$211.67 per person
Duration9 hours 30 minutes
Reviews11 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Landing and facility fees
- Use of Onboard binoculars and Species ID cards
Not Included
- Lunch
Run byE-Ko New Zealand Ltd
Itinerary
- Check in, PictonMeet at 1 London Quay, Picton, at the corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, and check in at the E-Ko Tours office. Allow 30 minutes for check in before the 08:00 departure.
- Cruise Queen Charlotte SoundAbout 1 hour on the water, watching for dolphins, penguins and seabirds with onboard binoculars and species ID cards available.
- Motuara Island guided walkRoughly 1 hour on the island. Reviewers mention a guided walk through native bush, said to give a good sense of what to look out for later.
- Queen Charlotte Track walkingAbout 4 hours of walking on the track. You need to be fit enough to walk at least 5 km. Landing and facility fees are included.
- Ship CoveAround 3 hours at Ship Cove, where one reviewer had a picnic, a hike and some snorkelling before the boat returns.
- Return to PictonThe boat brings you back to the meeting point at 1 London Quay, ending the day.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points, drawn from operator details and what past travellers have reported, will make the day go more smoothly.
- Bring lunch. Lunch is not included, so pack food and drink for a full day out. One reviewer described enjoying a picnic at Ship Cove, which is the natural spot to eat.
- Fitness needed. A moderate level of physical fitness and the ability to walk at least 5 km are required. The walking section runs about four hours.
- Spare battery. Wildlife may be seen on the cruise, though sightings are never guaranteed, and a spare battery or power bank helps for photos. One reviewer ran their phone flat two hours before the end and regretted the missed photos.
- Flexible plans. One couple found the full day too long in cold weather and switched to a shorter version on the day.
- Photo gallery. The operator includes free images from its online wildlife photo gallery, plus use of onboard binoculars and species ID cards. That helps if your own shots of fast-moving dolphins do not turn out.
- Group size. The tour carries a maximum of 30 travellers. The island walk is guided, while the track section at Ship Cove is walked independently.
Common issues. The day is long, 9.5 hours, and one couple found that too much in cold weather, switching to a shorter version on the day. The track section involves about four hours of walking, which will not suit everyone. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for travellers with back problems, and depends on good weather and a minimum number of travellers; if the operator cancels for either reason, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Infants must sit on laps.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Tour Price?
Landing and facility fees are included, along with free images from the operator's online wildlife photo gallery and use of onboard binoculars and species ID cards. Lunch is not included.
Where Does The Tour Meet And When Does It Start?
Check in is at 1 London Quay, Picton, at the corner of Wellington Street and London Quay, at the E-Ko Tours office marked by a seal and a dolphin. The tour starts at 08:00 and ends back at the same point. Hotel pickup is not stated, so check with the operator before booking if you need one.
How Fit Do I Need To Be?
You need moderate physical fitness and must be able to walk at least 5 km. Expect roughly four hours of walking on the Queen Charlotte Track. Travellers with back problems are advised against the tour.
Is It Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?
Pushchairs are accepted and infants must sit on laps. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed and the meeting point is near public transport.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the 08:00 start for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If the operator cancels for poor weather or because the minimum traveller number is not met, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What Should I Bring?
Pack lunch, since it is not included. A camera is worthwhile given the wildlife sightings reviewers report.
Check Live Dates And Prices
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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