Exploring Queen Charlotte sound via Queen Charlotte Drive, the alternative route from Picton to Havelock you will find it is around 30 ks shorter in actual physical distance traveled but does take a little longer because of the extremely tight bends. The road is tar sealed all the way and the views are literally stunning so it is well worth the slight detour if you're not in a hurry. If you have time to spare you can turn off Queen Charlotte Drive along the way and head right out to sounds for a real treat but be aware narrow gravel roads are the norm and they do get pretty rough the farther out you get.
Whether by boat or walking the track, this is a must visit. THe scenery defies description it is so beautiful
great walk and views. user friendly walks relaxing with beautiful fresh air. takes around 2 hours a must do
We chose the Queen Charlotte Drive to travel from Picton to Havelock and we were glad we did. It is a very scenic drive with a very windy road overlooking the Sounds from high & low, and many beautiful photo ops along the way. The road is narrow in parts, but be prepared to find a spot to pull over if getting magical photos is your thing. There are many scenic outlooks, with Grove Arm & Ngakuta Bay being particularly 'photo worthy'! Definitely worth the drive.
We went by car up and around the bends were you can stop and get some great views from some of the pull-ins.
Enjoyed the Mailboat cruise round QCS. The scenery is lovely, with many sheltered coves and wooded slopes. But compared to the Scottish Western Isles - not a patch I'm afraid. A kayaking friend of mine who visited the Marlborough Sounds to kayak there for five days described the trip as bordering on boring, because of the lack of any variety. What they do have is the weather, but when the weather is good in Scotland, it's got QCS well beaten. Still very much worth a visit though, so don't let me put you off!
except the Marlborough Sounds. A native, not a tourist, I take the time to reflect. And if you take a moment to just look and absorb the beauty and tranquility of our beautiful Sounds you will hear the song of the whales as they return, and the Tui and bellbirds singing their praises. And you will hear the awed whispers of strangers as they make their own discovery of our bush-lined waterways. Which is why people return over and over again.
A delightful walk to see nature at its best Picton showcases Queen Charlotte Sounds....... WALKS START AT 20MINS FOR BEGINNERS TO APPROX 2 HOURS ROUND TRIP............ COSTS NOTHING ...............View Priceless
We are in our 30's, my son is 14 and my father is his 60s.This track was very doablle for all of us. If you need a break stay an extra day or catch the water taxi like my mother did.As my mother was unable to walk the distance she met us each night at our accommodation via water taxi. We used Beachcomber Cruises as our water taxi service which I would strongly avoid using. The man on the boat was rude to my mother, did not call the accommodation to let them know when to pick up my mother and left the bags at the end of a jetty with no notification. I would recommend you use Cougar Line if booking a water taxi service in this region.
Awesone scenery, WINDY road!, wonderful photo ops, be prepared for very very windy roads, but the scenery is definitely worth it, i would recommend taking the road less traveled and going the longer route from Picton to Havelock.