National park · New Zealand
Marlborough Sounds
There is no entrance fee: the Sounds are public land and water, so you pay only for boats, water taxis and huts. Base in Picton for two nights, walk or bike a day of the Queen Charlotte Track, and drive Queen Charlotte Drive only if you have a spare half-day.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
At a glance
- Country
- New Zealand
- Area
- 4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
- The Sounds are a drowned-valley coastline, not a fenced reserve; the figure is the approximate water and land area of the two main sounds (check).
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
The Marlborough Sounds are not a park with a gate: they are a drowned-valley coastline of public land and water at the top of the South Island, split into Queen Charlotte Sound (Picton, the Queen Charlotte Track, most lodges) and Pelorus Sound (Havelock, mussel farms, mail-boat jetties). Because there is no entrance fee, the real costs are access and beds — water taxis, the Queen Charlotte Track land pass, DOC campsites and huts, and lodge nights. Picton is the ferry port and the practical base; the track is the reason most walkers come, and the outer bays are reached only by boat.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²) · national park since 1992
The Sounds are a drowned-valley coastline, not a fenced reserve; the figure is the approximate water and land area of the two main sounds (check).
Why go
- Four days of ridgeline walking on the Queen Charlotte Track, with luggage moved by boat between lodges.
- Meretoto/Ship Cove, where Cook anchored on three voyages, is reachable only by water taxi or the track.
- The Pelorus Sound side is quieter: mail boats, mussel farms and forest that runs to the waterline.
- Picton is the South Island ferry port, so the Sounds can be the first or last stop of a South Island trip.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm, long days; book huts and water taxis ahead
- FebDriest, calmest stretch; busiest on the track
- MarMild, settled; fewer walkers
- AprClear, cooler; some lodges close late in the month
- MayQuiet; rain returns, tracks greasy
- JunWet and short days; many lodges shut
- JulColdest, wettest; slips possible on Kenepuru Rd
- AugWet; boat trips weather-dependent
- SepLodges reopen; wind and showers
- OctFresh, green, fewer people than summer
- NovWarm and mostly dry; good walking
- DecWarm but crowded from mid-month
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins (common and bottlenose) and fur sealsAll year · Seen from boats and sometimes from the track; keep distance and let them approach. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Little blue penguins and shagsSep–Mar · Around the jetties and bays at dusk; do not use lights or land on nesting beaches. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest birds (tūī, bellbird, kererū, weka)All year · Loudest at dawn along the ridgeline; weka will take food left out. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wasps on the trackJan–Apr · Late summer is the worst period on the beech sections; carry antihistamine if you react. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Picton
Walk on from the ferry terminal or drive; Queen Charlotte Drive runs to Havelock, water taxis leave the Picton waterfront.
0 h
From Blenheim
Drive State Highway 1 north to Picton, or State Highway 6 west to Havelock and Rai Valley.
25–40 min
From Wellington
Cook Strait ferry to Picton; the crossing enters the Sounds at the heads.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Nelson
Drive State Highway 6 east through Rai Valley to Havelock.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Charlotte Sound | The busier sound: Picton, Waikawa Bay, the Queen Charlotte Track and most lodges. | Road to Picton, Anakiwa and the bays; the rest by boat or on foot. |
| Kenepuru Sound | The arm between the two main sounds, with Portage and Hopewell. | Kenepuru Road from Linkwater; narrow and slip-prone. |
| Pelorus Sound | The remoter sound, with Havelock at its base, mussel farms and mail-boat jetties. | Road to Havelock and Okiwi Bay; the rest by boat. |
| Outer Sounds and French Pass | Admiralty Bay, Tennyson Inlet and the channel at French Pass. | Long gravel and sealed roads from Rai Valley; allow 2 h from the highway. |
Sketch map
- 1Picton · Town≈-41.290, 174.006Map ↗
- 2Meretoto/Ship Cove · Trail≈-41.094, 174.234Map ↗
- 3Endeavour Inlet · Sleep≈-41.092, 174.186Map ↗
- 4Anakiwa · Trail≈-41.263, 173.916Map ↗
- 5Havelock · Town≈-41.283, 173.767Map ↗
- 6French Pass · Gate≈-40.926, 173.842Map ↗
- 7Mount Stokes · Summit≈-41.100, 174.100Approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate, taken from named places in the Sounds for orientation only; the map point is the centre of the Sounds.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to the Sounds (public land and water) | Free | person | No gate, no ticket; DOC land is free to enter. |
| Queen Charlotte Track land pass | NZD 12 (≈ US$8) | person | 2026 estimate; required for walkers and bikers on the private sections, bought online or from operators (check). |
| DOC campsite, serviced | NZD 15–25 (≈ US$9–15) | person per night | 2026 estimate; boat-access sites cost less (check). |
| DOC hut or campsite, basic | NZD 10–15 (≈ US$6–9) | person per night | 2026 estimate; bring cash or a hut ticket (check). |
| Water taxi, Picton to Ship Cove | NZD 90–130 (≈ US$55–80) | person one way | 2026 estimate; booked by seat, weather-dependent (check). |
| Luggage transfer on the track | NZD 15–25 (≈ US$9–15) | bag per day | 2026 estimate; arranged with the water taxi company (check). |
| Pelorus mail boat day trip from Havelock | NZD 120–140 (≈ US$75–85) | person | 2026 estimate; runs on set weekdays, roughly 9:30 to late afternoon (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Queen Charlotte Track land pass permit or guide
DOC hut or campsite booking permit or guide
Boat landing at Ship Cove no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NZ$12≈ US$8
- NZ$15–25≈ US$9–15
- NZ$10–15≈ US$6–9
- NZ$90–130≈ US$55–80
- NZ$15–25≈ US$9–15
- NZ$120–140≈ US$75–85
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Department of Conservation — Marlborough places to go before you go.
Park rules
- No entry fee, but the track pass is not optional
- The Queen Charlotte Track crosses private land; walkers and bikers need the land pass. DOC land itself is free.
- Fires
- No fires on DOC land; use a cooker. Check the local fire season status before lighting anything outdoors.
- Rubbish
- Pack out everything from campsites and huts; there are no bins on the track.
- Wildlife distance
- Stay back from seals and penguins, and never beach a kayak on a nesting shore.
- Water
- Treat or boil water from streams and hut tanks; farm runoff is present in some catchments.
- Dogs
- Not allowed on the Queen Charlotte Track or in DOC reserves; check before bringing a dog to any bay.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Picton
Motels, hostels and hotels by the ferry terminal; the practical base for day walks and water taxis.
Near the park
Anakiwa Lodge
Backpacker lodge at the southern end of the track, 25 min from Picton.
In the park
Endeavour Inlet lodges
Furneaux Lodge and others on the track; reached by boat or on foot, no road.
In the park
Portage and Kenepuru Sound
Resort and lodge accommodation on Kenepuru Road, 75 min from Picton.
Near the park
Havelock
Small town at the base of Pelorus Sound; base for the mail boat and mussel cruises.
In the park
DOC campsites
Serviced and basic sites around the Sounds, several reachable only by boat or kayak.
Safety
Weather changes on the track medium
Kenepuru Road and outer Sounds roads medium
Cook Strait and outer Sounds water high
No phone signal medium
Wasps and slips low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Picton waterfront, the ferry terminal and the road viewpoints on Queen Charlotte Drive are step-free and reachable by car.
- The Queen Charlotte Track and Mount Stokes are rough, steep in places and not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
- Boat trips vary: ask operators about boarding steps and whether a vessel can take a wheelchair.
Visiting lightly
- Book with operators that hold a DOC concession and follow the wildlife distance rules.
- Use the track's water taxis and luggage transfers instead of adding a second vehicle to the bays.
- Buy mussels, salmon and sauvignon from Marlborough producers; the Sounds economy runs on them.
- Take all rubbish off the track and out of boat-access campsites.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Marlborough Sounds?
Nothing. There is no gate or entrance fee: the Sounds are public land and water, and DOC reserves and campsites are free or low-cost. What you pay for is access and beds — the Queen Charlotte Track land pass (about NZ$12, 2026 estimate), DOC campsites and huts, water taxis, and lodge nights. Budget NZ$90–130 each way for a Picton–Ship Cove water taxi.
What are the best hikes in Marlborough Sounds?
The Queen Charlotte Track is the main one: about 70 km from Meretoto/Ship Cove to Anakiwa, usually walked over 3–4 days with boat access at several points. If you have one day, take a water taxi to Ship Cove and walk to Endeavour Inlet (4–5 h), or do the easy Anakiwa end from the road. Mount Stokes is the hard alternative, a rough 5–6 h climb to the highest point in the Sounds.
When is the best time to visit Marlborough Sounds?
January to March for the most settled weather and the full track and lodge season. October and November are nearly as good with fewer people. April is still fine but some lodges close late in the month. June to August is wet, cold and quiet, with many lodges shut and boat trips cancelled in bad weather.
Do I need a boat to see the Sounds?
Not for the basics. Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock is a sealed scenic road, and the Anakiwa end of the track is 25 min from Picton by car. But Ship Cove, Endeavour Inlet, the outer Pelorus and most bays have no road, so a water taxi, mail boat or cruise is the only way in.
Can I drive around the Sounds?
No. There are no loop roads: every road in and out follows the same bays, and Kenepuru Road and the French Pass road are narrow, winding and slip-prone after rain. Expect to average under 60 km/h, allow 2 h from State Highway 6 to French Pass, and fuel up in Picton, Blenheim or Havelock before heading out.
Is the Queen Charlotte Track suitable for beginners?
Yes, if you are fit enough for 4–6 h of walking a day with a pack, or you can use water taxis to walk single sections. The track is well graded and mostly benched, but it is exposed on the ridgeline and muddy after rain. Bikers need the same land pass and should check which sections are open to bikes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialDepartment of Conservation — Marlborough places to go
- officialDepartment of Conservation — Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area
- officialDepartment of Conservation — Camping in Marlborough
- officialQueen Charlotte Track — official track information
- secondaryWikivoyage: Marlborough Sounds, revision 5314168 (CC BY-SA 4.0)