Where to stay when visiting the Marlborough Sounds

The Queen Charlotte Track has cemented its reputation as New Zealand’s gourmet walking trail. This is due in no small part to the amazing array of lodge accommodation, many with restaurants, dotted along the length of the Marlborough Sounds.

Accommodation along the Queen Charlotte Track is diverse enough to suit any taste or budget – from five-star retreats and boutique lodges, resorts and hotels to budget backpacker rooms and camping sites.
Where else can you walk through terrain as diverse as virgin native forest or skyline ridges by day and by night, dine on a three-course restaurant or home cooked meal matched with a glass of fine Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. It always tastes that much better because you don’t have to prepare it or carry it!

No matter what your budget, the Queen Charlotte Track has an accommodation option for you. From Department of Conservation campsites at $6 per person per night to the very best luxury suites at hotels and resorts along the way, there is something to suit all tastes and finances.

The track has six Department of Conservation ‘self-registration’ campsites located along its length at Schoolhouse Bay, Camp Bay, Bay of Many Coves Shelter, Black Rock Shelter, Mistletoe Bay (privately managed) and Davies (Umangata) Bay as well as Cowshed Bay, near Portage. In addition, there are private campsites located in Endeavour Inlet.
We offer the largest variety of track packages available utilising this wonderful array of accommodation and specialise in ensuite-style arrangements although we are always happy to customise tours to your budget!

About Picton

Located at the heart of the Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton is a charming seaside village now popular with cruise ship visitors and holiday makers. It is a wonderful place to relax for a few days and has many short walks and biking trails nearby. It also has a good range of cafes, restaurants and bars and a full range of accommodation from backpackers, to motels, hotels and bed and breakfasts. It is a very popular holiday spot in the summer so booking your overnight accommodation is recommended well ahead of your visit if you are coming in the high season.

Car storage is readily available, as are shuttles to and from the Picton and Blenheim Airport. Picton is located just 20 minutes’ drive from Blenheim where there is a regional airport and around two hours’ drive from Nelson. A small commuter airline, SoundsAir, also flies into nearby Picton Airport. There are two ferry services available from Wellington – the Interislander and Bluebridge. The closest international airports are at Wellington and Christchurch but there are also direct flights available from Auckland to Blenheim daily.

Visitors to the Marlborough region often enjoy adding on a trip to the nearby wine region, famous for its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir varietals and boasting numerous vineyard restaurants at which to enjoy them.

Click to view Accommodation Options

Track Accommodation

Mahana Lodge

Mahana Lodge is an oasis for the weary with its delightfully restored historic homestead and purpose built hiker lodge with four ensuite rooms and shared guest lounge. Enjoy free range eggs for breakfast and dine in the delightful conservatory. Your peace will only be broken by the song of the bellbird.

Furneaux Lodge

Furneaux Lodge offers a range of accommodation depending on your requirements. The waterfront suites used for our Classic guided walk are contemporary one bedroom apartments, and are absolutely private with stunning views. Our standard independent packages stay in the Tobias Junior Suites, each with own ensuite. The Premier package stays in upmarket studio suites with private ensuite and views out to the bay.

Bay of Many Coves

At the Bay of Many Coves, there is a casual waterfront café, a guest lounge and the Foredeck fine-dining restaurant where you can savour the delights of fresh local seafood and produce, with specially selected wines from Marlborough’s leading vintners and international labels. Of course you can soak up the serenity in the Cedar Hot Tub and indulge in a treatment at the Day Spa too. And then, there’s the view: there are few places in the world that offer such a luxurious, mouth-watering, sensory combination.

Punga Cove

Set amongst stunning scenery in the magnificent waterways of New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds, Punga Cove is the perfect retreat for people wanting to relax in style. You'll be accommodated in a modern ensuite unit with stunning views of the bay.

Lochmara Lodge

Set on the tranquil shores of the Queen Charlotte Sound, Lochmara Lodge features quality accommodation as well as aviaries and enclosures with endangered species, an organic vegetable garden and orchard, educational signage, sculpture trail and art gallery. Our premier guided walk stays in the very best Kakariki ensuite units with stunning water views.

The Portage

The Portage is nestled at the narrowest point between Queen Charlotte & Kenepuru Sounds with a wonderful view into Kenepuru Sound. This well-established accommodation place has a reputation for a fine restaurant and features natural timber chalets. This package includes quality accommodation in Korimako ensuite-style units,all with water views.

Picton Accommodation

Aldan Lodge

Aldan Lodge Motel, situated only metres from Picton waterfront, ferry terminal and railway station. We offer a range of motel accommodation options: king and queen studio units, spacious split-level family units and modern two-bedroom units, all fully self-contained.

Beachcomber Inn

If you are visiting Picton or the greater Marlborough region and are keen to seek quality hotel accommodation that is comfortable; peaceful; affordable; clean and tidy, then you have come to the right place.

Jasmine Court Motel

As Qualmark 4 star Plus quality accommodation, you can expect quality service, warm hospitality and those little extras to make your stay in Picton even more memorable.

McCormick House B&B

Luxury bed and Breakfast accommodation with contemporary comfort and modern facilities. Set in a quiet, sunny location, on half an acre (2000sqm) of private, established, forest gardens, McCormick House is ideally located just 3 minutes drive from Picton Interisland ferry, bus stops and train station, or 20 minutes drive from Blenheim.

Picton House B&B

Picton House, close to cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops, is the perfect place to put your feet up and plan the next part of your journey, whether north or south by ferry or train, or closer to home in the enchanting Marlborough Region.