We wanted to hike part of the Queen Charlotte Track but weren’t sure how much we could handle, and how fast. Boats drop hikers off at one point and pick them up at the next stop, but you need to be able to make it to that next stop in time. To avoid that risk we found a tour that drops you off at a resort and then picks you up at the same resort later.
We chose the option of stopping off at a bird sanctuary first. New Zealand has established predator free islands and is trying to build up native bird populations by relocating them to these islands. The box in the photo on the right is a predator trap. (Part of New Zealand’s history is a history of humans making bad choices. New Zealand has no native mammals other than a couple of bats. It does have a lot of flightless birds. In brief, rabbits were introduced, then stoats were in introduced to bring down the rabbit population, but they decided it was easier to catch the flightless birds. So now they’re trying to get rid of the stoats. And get rid of the rabbits. )
The local robins are fearless. We saw several on the trail from the dock to the lookout. Their skinny little legs don’t look sturdy enough to hold up their chubby little bodies.
This curious looking bird is a kereru, a local wood pigeon. We also saw fantails and an unidentified green bird.
The view from the lookout is spectacular. You have about an hour on this island to do the hike and hang out with the birds.
A different boat picked us up and we headed for other stops in the Sounds. First, Ship’s Cove, for a brief photo and restroom stop. Next was Furneaux Lodge, a resort with accommodations and dining. Enroute we passed summer cabins, and the captain — who was a former local — provided history and context. The next stop was Punga Cove, where we got off.
Punga Cove also has accommodations and dining. We stopped there so we could do an out-and-back hike on the Queen Charlotte Track heading back toward Furneaux Lodge. We thought we might be able to do the whole stretch one-way, but this reduced the risk and stress, since we could turn around when we wanted. It was a scenic hike near the water.
The trail is well used and maintained. Signs along the way show time and distance to points in either direction, such as campsites and boat pick up points. many people spend several days on the track, hiking from point to point.
After our hike we had nothing to do but relax by the shore until the boat came to pick us up. We saw people swimming and kayaking, other hikers, and cyclists. There’s also a hot tub. We just sat in the shade and enjoyed the scenery.
We did our tour with Beachcomber Cruises because they offered the “All Day in the Sounds” tour with an afternoon at a resort. They do other tours, as do other companies in the area. One interesting option is the mail boat cruise, as it delivers mail and supplies to areas with no road access.
