Biking the Queen Charlotte Track

The Queen Charlotte Track, located at the top of the South Island in the Marlborough Sounds is unique for its stunning coastal views, historical landmarks and wonderful variety of native bush and wildlife. The Track is regarded as one of New Zealand’s best single track mountain bike rides. The Track is 71km (44 miles) in length and it has been purposely built to cater to both walkers and bikers. It is the longest piece of continuous single track in the country and is suitable for novice riders while being challenging enough for the experienced mountain biker. Renowned for its stunning scenery and challenging terrain it is a mountain biking experience like no other, and the best part of all - you don't have to carry your pack! The temperate climate of the area enables the track to be traversed all year round with the most best season being from November to May. Stretching from Ship Cove to Anakiwa, this track will wrap you in the mystical beauty that is the Marlborough Sounds, and totally absorb you for many days. For bikers a moderate level of fitness and experience is required. Most of the track is wide and benched, varying from 1 to 1.5m in width and all major streams have been bridged. The surface is being mainly clay soil is firm in dry conditions and provides relatively easy riding, but when wet can often be slippery. The surface does have areas with rocky loose material, tree roots, steps and some bluffs so care is required at all times. While the track is not a "steep" track (the highest point is 406 metres from sea level), there are many short sharp ascents and likewise descents which require reasonable riding skill. To ride the whole track, you need to be a reasonably skilled rider, as the entire track is regarded as a technical track. However the segment that we ride provides easier options, such as the section from Waterfall to Anakiwa, for those that are less skilled or unsure of their abilities. Most importantly the Queen Charlotte Track provides a wide variety of biking terrain to choose from, so your guides can cater your 3-day biking trip to you & your group's abilities to ensure that everyone has a great time!

Click here to return to the full Rimu itinerary.

Photos and quotes from the Rimu biking option on New Zealand's Queen Charlotte Track

"My favorite part was biking the Queen Charlotte Track, because the scenery was fabulous, and the cycling terrain was great. The accommodations here were the best of the trip. Fabulous views, big comfortable rooms. Fantastic trip." Eileen O'Connor (Plano, TX) Dec 2002 Rimu

" I really enjoyed the biking, especially the off road biking on the track. Susie, the guide, was nice and gave us enough freedom to do what we wanted. The accommodations at Te Mahia/Anakiwa were some of my favorite. They were right on a great beach with a beautiful view." Patricia (Dallas, TX) Dec 2002 Rimu

"Te Mahia Bay Resort on the Queen Charlotte Track - wonderful - one of our favourites for the setting alone. Roger, Susie and Frankie were all great. (You do an excellent job with who you sub out to) On the first and last days, the Queen Charlotte Track from Anakiwa to Torea Saddle was "sweet". On the second day, the road ride the next day to Portage was also nice - but not cruisy. The only small disappointment was being unable to ride more of the Queen Charlotte Track since we did not realize how tough the section from Torea Saddle to Portage was to bike - even Zack (who races mt. bikes) was beat when he did it. However, now we want to hike the Queen Charlotte Track." Jim & Carol Branscome (Kensington, MD) Nov 2002 Rimu

"Biking was great. Best mountain biking on the whole tour. Possibly the best accommodations of the trip. Innkeepers were fantastic and so were the views." Bryan & Donna Mannion (Plano, TX) Nov 2002 Rimu

"Biking was challenging but worth every bit of effort. Very well organized. Frank and Susie were terrific guides to have. Queen Charlotte track (Te Mahia) - fabulous lodge. Beautiful, relaxing, and comfortable." Marla & Zack Vogel (New York, NY) Nov 2002 Rimu

"Loved the biking. Our guide Susie was great, and it was fun (but scary!) getting to try mountain biking (had only road biked in the past). Well organized, difficult, but challenging." Pam Mayer (Scottsdale, AZ) Dec 2002 Rimu

"We had the option to cycle into Anakiwa. We did. We went swimming in the sound before dinner. The next day we had an intense 9hr cycle to Punga Cove and back. It was hard, but just what we wanted. Glad we were the only 2 to take advantage of this option. We had our guide all to ourselves and we had a few days to spend alone." Ashley Duncan & Mark Mahaffey (Escondido, CA) Feb 2003 Rimu

Click here to return to the full Rimu itinerary.