Queen Charlotte Sound
Queen Charlotte Sound
Queen Charlotte Sound
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
339 reviews
Excellent
252
Very good
73
Average
12
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Karen P
Gisborne, New Zealand7 contributions
Apr 2021
The hills may get bigger by day but so do the views. We are in the 60 plus group and are casual walkers but we managed this track just fine. From day 3-4 at every corner, we were wowed by the views. Well worth walking. We recommend you do it, especially while the track is relatively quiet.
Written April 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helenjen
Brisbane, Australia892 contributions
Feb 2020
Having visited this part of the world 15 years ago, we decided to revisit the area....wow just as stunning as we remember. Everywhere you look nature's beauty at it's best. Highly recommend you do the drive from Picton to Havelock and then down to Blenheim via the scenic route and stop off for walks and photo opportunities along the way...well worth it :))
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bec
Birmingham, UK543 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
It was a stunning drive, with plenty of places to stop and take photos of the Sound. There are benches at certain locations to take a break and soak up the views even more.
There are passing places, so you can not feel pressured to drive too quickly also.
If you’re driving towards Nelson, I would highly recommend this route rather than taking the highway all the way there!
There are passing places, so you can not feel pressured to drive too quickly also.
If you’re driving towards Nelson, I would highly recommend this route rather than taking the highway all the way there!
Written June 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael T
Formby, UK1,126 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
After getting off the ferry at Picton, we were bound for Kaikoura, but diverted along Queen Charlotte Drice having heard about its beauty. So the route then became Picton to Havelock to Blenheim to Kaikoura. This put about 90 minutes on the journey but it was absolutely worth it. It is probably in the top 10 most beautiful drives I have done in 40 years motoring, although I expect to clock up a few more as we explore tbe South Island. There are many opportunites to pull over and enjoy the view, and we took advantage of most of them. Thd one near the start overlooking Picton harbour and Cullen Point near the end are possibly the most spectacular. Take time out and do the detour!
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie P
United Kingdom2,027 contributions
Nov 2019
We'd already taken the mail boat out onto the Sound, but didn't have time to walk the track, so when we left Picton we decided to drive the Queen Charlotte Sound drive. It's a narrow, twisty road with some pull ins to admire the ever changing scenic views of the Sounds. There are also a couple of walks. A much better way to drive to Nelson than via the longer main road
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alvin
Palmerston North, New Zealand57 contributions
Oct 2020
This is one very peaceful sound with its myriad bays. What a fantastic place, one could live out here away from others. But the cost would be huge and it would be worth it. Wake up in the mornings and listen to the birds singing. Yes another Wow place for visiting.
Written November 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles
Columbia, SC568 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Amazing area to visit. Was on a cruise w Holland America for two weeks Sydney to Auckland. Goal was to see the most sounds and scenery on cruise. This area is beautiful and has a variety of attractions or activities to enjoy including the Marlborough wine region
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rantin rover
Biggar, UK9,150 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
We did the Queen Charlotte Drive covering about 35km (21 miles) in around 1 ½ hours travelling from Havelock to Picton to catch a ferry and that latter point was often in our minds. For that reason it’s possibly more leisurely to drive the route the other way around and not be clock-watching. (As it turned out we arrived in Picton far earlier than required and we could have lingered more enjoying the scenery).
The road itself is fairly winding at times and the views get obscured by trees. This makes it important to keep your eyes open for opportunities to pull into the side when the chance arises. There aren’t many official signposted scenic lay-bys/viewpoints as far as we could tell - often it’s just an extended section of gravel - enough to get out of the way of the flow of traffic however not all of these have clear views to the Sound.
In our experience the scenery was fairly similar along the route and lacked a bit of Wow factor.
The road itself is fairly winding at times and the views get obscured by trees. This makes it important to keep your eyes open for opportunities to pull into the side when the chance arises. There aren’t many official signposted scenic lay-bys/viewpoints as far as we could tell - often it’s just an extended section of gravel - enough to get out of the way of the flow of traffic however not all of these have clear views to the Sound.
In our experience the scenery was fairly similar along the route and lacked a bit of Wow factor.
Written May 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney, Australia47,213 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
The Queen Charlotte Sounds are absolutely stunning. There are numerous ways to experience the majestic Queen Charlotte Sounds.
One option is to take a cruise or catch the ferry from Wellington to Picton as the scenery is gorgeous & the boast ride very pleasurable.
The other way is to self drive between Havelock and Picton, a 40-kilometre winding road fringed with stunning views of native forests & the sounds. The drive is windy & long but it certainly should not be missed if visiting this region.
Walking the Charlotte track is another awesome experience if time permits. We combined all three to experience a little of region. We drove the scenic drive via Havelock to Picton.
The next day we did a Sunday afternoon cruise to Ships Cove & Motuara Island through the Queens Charlotte Sounds. The weather was iffy with dark clouds looming in the distance but with a very small group of about 8 we headed off from Picton Wharf to only be delighted to spot dolphin's in the first 10 minutes of the trip.
We stopped off at Motuara Island for 30 minutes to walk up the steep hill to take in the sights of the Sounds & maybe spot a few local birds or penguins. Within minutes our skipper showed us a wooden nesting box & we were absolutely excited to see a family of little Penguins all huddled together. Up the track there were numerous wooden nesting boxes & all of the them had penguins inside.
The Island is also pest free so there are many native bird species which can easily be spotted along the track.
From Motuara Island we ventured to historic Ship Cove where Captain Cook anchored five times during the 1770's evidently he spent more time based in Ship Cove than any other place in the Pacific.
The spot is gorgeous with fabulous views of the sounds & its totally understandable why Cook loved this little protected pretty cove. We also spotted numerous native birds & especially loved watching the Oystercatcher's.
Afterwards we returned our car to Picton Terminal to catch the ferry to Wellington which was a breathtaking experience.
One option is to take a cruise or catch the ferry from Wellington to Picton as the scenery is gorgeous & the boast ride very pleasurable.
The other way is to self drive between Havelock and Picton, a 40-kilometre winding road fringed with stunning views of native forests & the sounds. The drive is windy & long but it certainly should not be missed if visiting this region.
Walking the Charlotte track is another awesome experience if time permits. We combined all three to experience a little of region. We drove the scenic drive via Havelock to Picton.
The next day we did a Sunday afternoon cruise to Ships Cove & Motuara Island through the Queens Charlotte Sounds. The weather was iffy with dark clouds looming in the distance but with a very small group of about 8 we headed off from Picton Wharf to only be delighted to spot dolphin's in the first 10 minutes of the trip.
We stopped off at Motuara Island for 30 minutes to walk up the steep hill to take in the sights of the Sounds & maybe spot a few local birds or penguins. Within minutes our skipper showed us a wooden nesting box & we were absolutely excited to see a family of little Penguins all huddled together. Up the track there were numerous wooden nesting boxes & all of the them had penguins inside.
The Island is also pest free so there are many native bird species which can easily be spotted along the track.
From Motuara Island we ventured to historic Ship Cove where Captain Cook anchored five times during the 1770's evidently he spent more time based in Ship Cove than any other place in the Pacific.
The spot is gorgeous with fabulous views of the sounds & its totally understandable why Cook loved this little protected pretty cove. We also spotted numerous native birds & especially loved watching the Oystercatcher's.
Afterwards we returned our car to Picton Terminal to catch the ferry to Wellington which was a breathtaking experience.
Written November 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane920
Elanora, Australia16 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon on the mail boat run. The skipper was very entertaining with background knowledge about the locals. The scenery was amazing and to think Captain Cook saw almost the exact same place as we did was amazing. Great value.
Written April 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I just want to go from Picton, stay 1 night and then go back to Picton. Is that possible?
Written February 5, 2019
You can do a boat trip . I think there are full day trips there plenty of tour operators on the harbour . Hope this helps
Written February 6, 2019
Is the walk really easy for three 65 year olds dicky knees but moderately fit what is the weather generally like in Oct.
Written April 21, 2017
Three 65 year olds are planning a trip to walk queen Charlotte sounds , how fit do we need to be?
Is the walk really an easy to moderate walk. We are planning to walk in October will the weather be ok?
Written April 21, 2017
We did the walk after unseasonable wet weather and it was quite slippy in places (clay) it is very up and down but we thoroughly enjoyed it and if you walk a lot you will be fine and can take it at your own pace.
We are going back this January but are going back to Abel Tasman as this was by far a more beautiful walk. Queen Charlotte has very thick vegetation and not many good viewing points. Abel Tasman was simply stunning and walking down to beaches and crossing rivers was great. Took boat and walked back to boat pick up point. Going to do something similar next year. Enjoy
Written May 22, 2017
We will be in the Picton area in Feb 2017 for 4 nights. Where is a good place to stay to walk and kayak on the Queen Charlotte Track?
Written June 29, 2016
We stayed at the awful Brydon Accomodations in Blenheim, which I can't recommend! There were some nice wineries in the area, if I was returning I would look at one of those.
Written July 13, 2016
Eve B
Coffs Harbour, Australia
Hi. We would like to catch a boat out to a rental cabin / bach in the charlotte sounds for a couple of nights. Somewhere where we can do some local walks on the pass or other walkways. There will be four of us. Can you recommend a good website to show this kind of accomodation please. Travelling autumn next year. Thank you Eve
Written April 1, 2015
I went out for a run with the Beachcomber mail boat, which picks up and drops off walkers from the lodgings mentioned above. Ask the Picton Isite.
Written April 3, 2015
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