2 Day Freedom Bike Ride - Queen Charlotte Track

Itinerary

The two day ride encompassing the entire track is ideal for the more experienced rider due to the distances and terrain ridden each day.  There are three options for a two day itinerary:

Option 1

Day 1. Ride Ship Cove to Punga Cove (4 hours riding)
Day 2. Ride Punga Cove to Anakiwa (7 hours riding)

OR

Option 2

Day 1. Ride Ship Cove to Portage (8 hours riding)
Day 2. Ride Portage to Anakiwa (3 hours riding)

OR

Option 3

Day 1. Ride Punga Cove to Portage (4 hours riding)
Day 2. Ride Portage to Anakiwa (3 hours riding)

The following skill indicator is a guideline for assessing the best itinerary options for riding the track.

Skill Indicator

• Novice rider – a confident rider on roads or forest tracks.
• Intermediate – has ridden some single tracks, but not experienced.
• Experienced – regularly rides single tracks.

Section: Ship Cove to Punga Cove

Skill Indicator: Experienced
Distance: 29km
Actual Biking time: 4.5 hours

Your journey begins with a 1 hour boat ride to Ship Cove. The track climbs out of Ship Cove to the Ship Cove saddle before descending into Resolution Bay. From here you have a long but moderate climb to Tawa Saddle and a slow downhill to Furneaux Lodge. This also includes a rewarding ride around the head of Endeavour Inlet with some technical sections caused by tree roots and drop-offs around Camp Bay.

Section: Punga Cove to Portage Bay

Skill Indicator: Intermediate/Experienced
Distance: 24km
Actual Biking time: 4 hours

As you climb steeply away from Punga Cove to join the Queen Charlotte Track you will get your first glimpses of the magical views.  Today’s ride is about lots of up and down!  You will be riding along the ridgeline between the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds so stunning views abound all day, but the terrain is challenging with lots of sharp corners, steep drop offs and of course, those hills.  Whilst the inclines aren’t long they are reasonably sharp, and likewise the descents can be sharp.  The ride is worth it, but riders definitely need to be experienced mountain bikers to enjoy it. You can ride the road on this section if you prefer.

Section: Portage Bay to Anakiwa

Skill Indicator: Portage Bay to Mistletoe Bay -Experienced, Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa -Novice
Distance: 24km
Actual Biking time: 3.5 hours

Portage to Mistletoe Bay – begins with a long steep climb, with lots of pushing and some descent switch backs on descent. Some may prefer to take the road for this section.
Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa – the track is narrow and undulating at first and wider and more moderate mid section, then culminating in a  long descent into Anakiwa. Riding down to sea level you will come upon some particularly beautiful virgin native bush which leaves visitors with a lasting impression of what New Zealand must have looked like before the arrival of humans.  The harbour of Anakiwa comes into view and so too does the end of the Queen Charlotte Track.

Prices

Trip Conditions

• Booking is subject to accommodation availability on the track
• Single supplements do apply.
• Dinner, breakfast and refreshment costs are to be met by client. As you are staying at licensed resorts they request that you do not take alcohol on to the property.
• Additional water transport costs, if required, are to be met by client.
• If it has been raining, we may not rent the bikes out as the track can be too slippery to ride. We will not rent bikes out if we believe the condition of the track will affect the quality of your ride.
• Clients are required to provide a bond of some form. This is usually a credit card number for $800 which we hold at our office until they return. Other personal items may be used if clients are not travelling with a credit card.
• Upon arrival at our office you will be asked to complete a registration form. You must understand that you are taking a self-guided trip, therefore you are responsible for your own safety and well-being for the duration. Any additional costs incurred during your trip, due to illness or accident, are to be met by yourselves

Booking Terms and Conditions

We understand that due to Covid19,  Governments can unexpectedly impose travel bans that disrupt your plans. We have modified our standard terms and conditions to try and provide more flexibility, should you be affected by changes in government restrictions, while at the same time ensuring that we comply with the terms and conditions required by our suppliers.

Please note that we will be recommending, that should changes be required due to travel restrictions, you transfer your booking to a later date (within 12 months of your booking). There is no fee for change of bookings under these conditions.

Our payment, cancellation and refund policy is as follows: 

1. A non-refundable deposit of $100 per person is required to confirm your booking
2. Full payment is required 30 days prior to departure date.
3. Cancellations received 30 to 16 days prior to departure date receive – 75% of total package refunded
4. Cancellations received up to 15 to 8 days from the date of departure – 50% of total package refunded
5. Cancellations received 7 days or less from date of departure – no refund

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend you take out comprehensive travel insurance.  If you are living in NZ, we know it is not commonplace to take out domestic travel insurance, however the investment in your holiday with us can be substantial therefore it is worth considering taking out domestic travel insurance for this purpose.  Companies such as https://www.covermore.co.nz/travel-insurance/domestic-travel-insurance are worth considering

Departure

Available all year round, subject to accommodation availability. Just pick your date and let us arrange it for you.

From 1 December to 28 February the section from Ship Cove/Resolution Bay to Punga Cove is closed to mountain bikers so your itinerary would begin at Punga Cove, reaching Portage on your first day, and through to Anakiwa on your second day.

Gear

We recommend that riders wear or bring:

• Shorts
• Soft shoes (heavy shoes or tramping boots are not suitable)
• Sun protection
• Warm, protective clothing
• Water

FAQs

Do we hire e-bikes?

No we don’t have any e-bikes. For more information about riding the QCT on e-bikes please go to our page about  Queen Charlotte Track

Is there water available on the track?

Drinking water is available at strategic places on the track. We recommend that you carry a pump bottle that holds approximately 750ml or more, which can be topped up during the day.

What is the track surface like to ride?

The track has a clay base. This makes for relatively easy riding when the weather is dry but it can be slippery and difficult to ride in the rain.  We will not rent bikes out if we believe the condition of the track will affect the quality of your ride. While some sections of the track are easy to ride, other sections have tree roots, bluffs and rocky areas that make riding more challenging.

Is the track open all year?

Yes, but the section from Ship Cove to Punga Cove is closed from 1 December to 28 February each year.

How much experience do you need to ride the Queen Charlotte Track?

The  Queen Charlotte Track is regarded as a technical track so to ride the whole track, you need to be a reasonably skilled rider.  If you are less skilled or unsure of your abilities, there are easier options, such as the section from Waterfall to Anakiwa.  We often have people that are “bike fit” but have not actually mountain biked on a single track before.  We would regard someone with this level of experience as a beginner.  If you have ridden single track often, then we would regard you as an experienced rider.

How many days does it take to ride the track?

For experienced riders we recommend two days – Ship Cove to Portage on Day One, and then Portage to Anakiwa on Day Two. For less experienced riders we recommend three days – Ship Cove to Punga Cove (Day One), Punga Cove to Portage (Day Two), and Portage to Anakiwa (Day Three).

Do we have panniers for the bikes?

No, because the water transport companies carry your packs as part of your water transfers, panniers are not required.  Also the terrain is too rough for easy carriage of paniers on the bikes.