Walking is often a favourite pastime of guests at Anakiwa 401 and it’s not surprising they come to stay with the many options available to them when lodging at our self-catering guesthouse.   Whether you’re interested in short walks, full day walks or evening strolls, the choice is endless from Anakiwa 401.

With the famous Queen Charlotte Track starting at the end of our garden, be assured that however long a walk you decide upon, you’ll encounter unforgettable coastal and bush scenery with magnificent views of the Marlborough Sounds. A short 3km walk from Anakiwa through native beech tree forest to Davies Bay, will reward you with a gorgeous picnicking spot and a beautiful safe sandy swimming beach to refresh yourself. If you’d prefer a longer walk, continue on from Davies Bay to the Onahau Lookout, overlooking Ngakuta Bay with spectacular views of the Queen Charlotte Sound bays and coves, before returning to Anakiwa (13km return).

Perhaps you’d like to experience the Marlborough Sounds on the water and take a morning water taxi with Arrow Water Taxis (during the season from October to Easter), from the jetty right opposite Anakiwa 401 to Mistletoe Bay on the Queen Charlotte Sound. From here, you’ll walk at your leisure through both mature and rapidly regenerating forest supporting large populations of waxeyes, fantails and wekas, before arriving at the Onahau Lookout, Davies Bay and then back to Anakiwa (12.5km – QCTLC Track Pass required – $10 1-day pass, $18 5-day pass).

A little further afield, close to Havelock, is the Coastal Loop Walking Track at the Cullen Point Lookout – a great 1 hour walk with views of the Mahau Sound & Mahakipawa Arm. For a slightly longer walk, there is the Cullen Creek/Waikakaho Walkway – this follows an old goldminers trail so its historically interesting starting with building remains of the former mining town of Cullensille. The Link Pathway which is a community project to create a 42 kilometre walk / cycle path that links Picton, Anakiwa and Havelock is well under way, with sections now open, is offering even more wonderful walks locally. Or why not walk to the highest point of the Marlborough Sounds, Mt Stokes – on a clear day, the views are simply stunning (5hrs return walk – 1.5 hour drive from Anakiwa).

And let’s not forget your walking doesn’t need to stop at night fall – on a short local night walk, hear the morepork calling, spend time stargazing, see a spectacular cascade of glow-worms or the bioluminescent organisms glowing in the water.  All an amazing spectacle from Anakiwa 401 Self-catering Guesthouse.

The choices are endless – just ask us during your stay.

Thank you to guests who have kindly provided photos from their Queen Charlotte Track experience.