Cruise Day 10 - Queen Charlotte Track Hike & Cruise Tour - Monday, January 1, 2024

Happy New Year, 2024!

Today's destination: Picton, South Island, New Zealand. 

Picton is a harbor known as a base for the inter-island Wellington ferries that link the North and South Islands to the Coastal Pacific Train from Christchurch. The ferries run multiple times daily to Wellington, a 3-1/2-hour ride away. But the coming and going of ferries, trains, cars, ships, and people does nothing to disturb this idyllic seaside town.

Arrival: 7 am.
All aboard: 3:30 pm.

We chose to do the Queen Charlotte Track Hike & Cruise. Today's tour is rated Level 3 and includes hiking for 1.5 hours, almost two miles (3 km). The terrain may be uneven or steep. Hiking boots, a trekking pole, and water are advised. It is recommended only for the physically fit and adventurous traveler.

Today's weather: Sunny, 83 degrees F. 

After a day cooped up on the ship, we are ready to hike. Our morning started with a shuttle bus into town. At the marina, we boarded Cougar Lines' "Sounds Adventure" motor launch for a 25-minute cruise to our destination. The motor launch will take us into the Queen Charlotte Sound, past Wedge Point, and on to Mistletoe Bay, where we will hike. 

Leaving the dock in Picton for our cruise on
Queen Charlotte Sound to Mistletoe Bay.

We are on the cruise boat.

We found the Norwegian Spirit
peeking out from the pier.

Our destination: Mistletoe Bay.

As we departed the launch, we each chose a trekking pole and were given a bottle of water. The trail loops around a peninsula with gorgeous coastal views. The loop is part of the renowned Queen Charlotte Track system, a 45-mile walkway that extends almost the entire length of Queen Charlotte Sound, and the portion along Mistletoe Bay is among the most picturesque. 

Our tour was divided into three groups of 16 people; each group had a guide. Bob volunteered to be in the back of our group to ensure we didn't lose anyone. That made it hard for me to hear our guide at the front of the group. Thankfully, one woman halfway back told us what was being said!  

A  map of the Queen Charlotte Sound.
We hiked the James Vogel Track Loop.

The "Sounds Adventure" is our cruise boat.

Our tour group on the James
Vogel Track.

On parts of the hike, we saw tall, dead trees. I told Bob it looked like a fire had been through the area. That was incorrect. The truth is that early settlers planted non-native pine trees. The pine trees dropped lots of pine needles that caused local plants to die due to a lack of oxygen. To rid the landscape of pine trees, the pines were poisoned. The trail leads through a regenerating native forest with large stands of tree ferns, manuka, and beech trees.

Our tour group on the James
Vogel Track.

This area is known for its tree ferns. Imagine a 20-30' tall fern. They are impressive! It's not often you could get in the shade of a fern, except here.

Tree ferns.

Mistletoe Bay - part of the Queen Charlotte Sound.

The lush, forested trail.

The trail was medium difficulty. A few steep sections wouldn't have been a problem, except it rained recently. Going up or down in the mud was quite slippery!

The James Vogel Track is part of the Peninsula Walk.

Mistletoe Bay view.

A gorgeous, rainforest-esque tree fern.

There are over 100 varieties of tree ferns!

Our guide is talking to us about tree ferns,
and the wooden traps along the trail.

Numerous small wooden traps could be seen alongside the trail. Someone asked our guide what the traps are for. She explained that four-legged mammals are not indigenous to New Zealand, therefore they are trapped and eradicated. Small mammals include rats, mice, possums, feral cats, etc. Larger traps away from the trails capture deer, pigs, and goats. This allows indigenous animals and birds to flourish. We heard lovely birdsong today!

Mistletoe Bay from the James Vogel Track.
The photo was taken by an 18-year-old 
girl from Finland.

Bob is talking to a gentleman from Finland.

Mistletoe Bay - part of Queen Charlotte Sound,
Picton area.

Mistletoe Bay, part of Queen Charlotte Sound.

Our walk ended at the campground. Since we are RVers, it was interesting to see people camping; most were tent camping, but there were also camper vans.

Many families were camping and kayaking.

The campground at Mistletoe Bay.

I have no idea what type of tree
this is.

Boarding the "Sounds Adventure" at
Mistletoe Bay to return to Picton.

On our return trip to Picton, coffee, tea, and biscuits (cookies) were served. They were snarfed up immediately. You snooze, you lose. 

Kayakers enjoying the day. NCL Spirit
is on the left.

The weather was 69° F. and sunny with 46% humidity. It was wonderful to see the sun after days of rain!

Back in Picton, we had three hours before we had to catch the shuttle back to the ship. Bob and I searched for a restaurant with "pies," the native dish of New Zealand. We were in luck! The bakery that had savory pies was open on New Year's Day. Woo hoo! Bob ordered a butter chicken pie, and I opted for a chicken, spinach, and mushroom pie. Mmm, so good!

An ad on a building proclaiming Picton will be 
predator-free by 2030.

We walked all over town and along the Picton Foreshore. Picton is small so we had two hours left until the shuttle ride back to the ship. 

ANZAC Memorial Arch in Picton, New Zealand.

A Maori totem in downtown Picton. I
couldn't find information on this.

Marlborough Rock Daisy (Pachystegia insignis).

Bob at Picton Beach in Picton Memorial Park
on the foreshore in the town centre.

Bob in Picton Memorial Park, New
Zealand (by the marina).

Picton Harbour.

Wellington to Picton Interislander ferry
at Picton Harbour.

This four-sided pouwhenua
commemorates men of the 28th Maori
Battalion's Company D, which served in WW II. 

Picton Foreshore Reserve and the
Interislander Ferry.

Hanging with the ducks in Picton, New Zealand.

Captain James Cook spent 101 days at Ship Cove during his three Pacific voyages: 1768-1778. His first landing at Ship Cove was on January 15, 1770.

Captain James Cook charted New
Zealand aboard the Endeavor 1769-1770.

Picton Marina, New Zealand.

We were looking for another trail to hike. A steep, tall pedestrian bridge over the Picton Marina caught our eye. 

The steep pedestrian bridge over Picton Marina.

After we crossed the bridge, we continued along Shelley Beach Park on the other side. Signs directed us to Bob's Bay Track. The sign said it was a 1/2-hour walk one way. How apropos! Bob was happy to hike here. Bob's Bay Track varied between flat, moderate, and steep sections. It was a beautiful hike and filled the hour we had left before the shuttle back to the ship.

We didn't see any Korora (Little Blue Penguins);
it must not be the right time of year for them.

Bob at the beginning of Bob's Bay Track.

This flat trail starts Bob's Bay Track.

Looking across Picton Harbour to the NCL Spirit.
[Photo by Susan Alton.]

Looking across Picton Harbour to the NCL Spirit.
[Photo by Bob Alton.]

Pretty flowers! Red Valerian (Cetranthus ruber).

Bob's Bay Track.

Bob's Bay Track is nice
and shady!

Bob is hiking on Bob's Bay Track.

Ohia trees.

We made it to Bob's Bay Reserve. It was
a steep hike down to the beach. 

Bob's Bay.

Bob's Bay, part of Picton Harbour.

Common Viper's Bugloss,
Blueweed (Echium vulgare),
an invasive species.

Common Viper's Bugloss,
Blueweed (Echium vulgare)

Kiwis have a great sense of humor.
Check out that last rule.

Street art at Atlantis Backpacker Lodging
(like a hostel) in Picton, New Zealand.

Back on the ship, we had lunch in the Garden Café. Both of us were hungry after hiking eight miles today. And then we took a nap for a couple of hours because we were tired, too!

We had dinner at Silk Asian Restaurant, saw the "I Wanna Rock" show with Kathryn Relf, watched the Karaoke Idol Finale, and then went back to see the rock show again.

We saw this rock 'n' roll show
 twice tonight.

The video above was taken at the Karaoke Idol Finale onboard the ship. The karaoke finale was so much fun. Nine finalists were chosen from three rounds of competition throughout the week. Three of them were amazing, four of them were really good, and one was not good. The best woman ended up winning. She sang, "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston, and hit every note. She got a standing ovation.

Tomorrow, we will take a city bus tour of Napier (North Island, New Zealand).