3 Day Freedom Bike Ride - Queen Charlotte Track

Home 3 Day Freedom Bike Ride – Queen Charlotte Track

Mountain biking the Queen Charlotte Track on this 3 day Freedom Ride allows riders to enjoy a hassle-free adventure on the track. We have selected the best accommodation and water transport operator’s and this, coupled with our own award-winning client service, ensures that your ride on the Queen Charlotte Track will be a memorable experience.

From $875 per person
Package Includes:
  • Mountain bike rental - Scott Scale 760 mountain bike with front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, tool kit, pump, helmet, water bottle carrier, and map
  • Pre-trip information
  • Complete information pack for use while riding the track
  • Twin/Double share accommodation, as listed
  • Packed lunch each day
  • Water transport to the track and water transfer of luggage each day
  • Transfer back to Picton
  • Use of the Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company as a base
  • Queen Charlotte Track Land Co-op Pass
  • SPD pedals are available upon request

Trip Departure Time: 8.00am (unless advised otherwise)

Trip Return Time: 4.30pm

Duration: 3 days

The following skill indicator is a guideline for assessing the best itinerary option 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.

Skill level recommended for this itinerary:  Intermediate to Experienced

Itinerary

Option 1. THE LONG WEEKENDER RIDE
2.5 days, 2 nights Allows for arrival in Picton and some riding on the same day
Day One – Ship Cove/Resolution Bay to Furneaux Lodge (2.5 hour ride – 15km)
Day Two – Furneaux Lodge to The Portage (5-6 hour ride – 35.6km)
Day Three – The Portage to Anakiwa (3.5 to 4 hours – 20.7km)

Option 2. THE FULL MONTY 
3 days, 2 nights Allow for an overnight in Picton before riding the next day
Day One – Ship Cove/Resolution Bay to Punga Cove Resort (3.5-4 hour ride – 26.5km)
Day Two – Punga Cove Resort to The Portage  (3.5 to 4 hour ride – 23.6km)
Day Three – The Portage  to Anakiwa (3.5 to 4 hours – 20.7km)

Prices for 2024/25 

The Long Weekender

OptionsResortAccommodation
StandardFurneaux LodgeTobias
The PortageWeka Room
Cost per Person $910 (single supplement of $380)
Sea ViewFurneaux LodgeTobias
The PortageKorimako Suite
Cost per person $935 (single supplement of $405)
UpgradeFurneaux LodgeEndeavour Suite
The PortageTui Terrace
Cost per person $975 (single supplement of $445)

The Full Monty

OptionsResortAccommodation
StandardPunga CoveKoru
The PortageWeka Room
Cost per Person $875 (single supplement of $340)
Sea ViewPunga CoveKoru
The PortageKorimako Suite
Cost per person $900(single supplement of $365)
UpgradePunga CoveFrond or Fern
The PortageTui Terrace
Cost per person $980 (single supplement of $445)

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 imprint 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

The track is open all year, but the section from Ship Cove to Punga Cove is closed to mountain bikers from 1 December to 28 February.

Once you know your preferred departure date, contact us and we will check availability. It is helpful if you can also indicate other dates that are suitable around your preferred date, in case your first choice of date is not available.

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

FAQ’s

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

What meals are included in our trip?

A packed lunch is included in your freedom ride package. Dinner and breakfast can be purchased at the resorts each day. Each resort has a different style of dining and menu options ranging from bar meals to a la carte dining. Breakfasts range in price from approximately $15 for a continental breakfast to $22 for a cooked breakfast. Dinners range from approximately $20 for a bar meal to $60 for a 2 or 3 course a la carte option. Facilities are limited for you to take your own breakfast, and this is dependent upon the style of accommodation you choose.

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 Mistletoe Bay to Anakiwa.

How many days does it take to ride the track?

For experienced riders it can be done in two days – Ship Cove to Punga Cove on Day One, and then Punga Cove 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 panniers on the bikes.