Section One - Ship Cove to Lodge |
Section Summary:This section is a walking-only trail (no vehicle access) which takes you from Ship Cove (start of Queen Charlotte Track) to Homestead Bay where accommodation is available in the Queen Charlotte Wilderness Park lodge.This is mostly a natural forest walk, with the outstanding feature being the variety of flora present over a short distance. This is the result of the different climates and environments associated with
your journey from the coast to heights of almost 700 metres. Beautiful native bush including spectacular rimu and kohekohe forest. Outstanding views in the more open areas. Section Detail: The Captain Cook Trail starts at Ship Cove which is the northern end of the Queen
Charlotte Track. This infamous cove is where Captain Cook stopped several times on his journeys of discovery to New Zealand from 1770 to 1777. A monument to Captain Cook stands on the foreshore area with Department of Conservation information boards. From the Ship Cove foreshore you head down the signposted waterfall track and begin the
climb to about 500m, through tall stands of rimu (dacrydium cupressinum) and other outstanding virgin forest.At the top of Ship Cove you cross a conservation fence and walk north for about five minutes to a good resting place. Here you can see your first views of Port Gore, grave for the Russian cruise liner, Mikhail Lermentov, which, rather crazily, took on the Cape Jackson passage and came off second best. (During section two o Gigantic native Rimu trees |
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f the walk, the lodge to lighthouse, you will see the narrow passage the huge ship was taken through, between the Cape Jackson peninsula and the old lighthouse).Following the fence line you will see many gaps in the trees which afford great all-round views. Soon you will be at the top in mountain beech forest (688 metres). A good stopping point is about two minutes
on from here which will give views right to the Cape Jackson lighthouse. Now for the downhill run. To the east is a bay called Little Waikawa, an important pa (Maori village) site in early times. There are some very old trees and spectacular bluffs, and the views extend south to Kaikoura and north to Mount Taranaki and Ruapehu. The Wilderness Park lodge will be visible at times as you descend the steep ridge. After about an hour the bush trail will emerge on to the grassed roads typical
of the main trails of the farm. Follow the signs and you'll soon arrive at the lodge. Additional Notes: Good footwear is necessary as the trail is nearly always damp in places under the forest canopy on the higher points.Always notify the Wilderness Park before walking the trail, as it is off the beaten track.
Although walking time is usually about 6-7 hours you should allow at least 8 hours, especially during the winter period. The Wilderness Park can arrange transport to Ship Cove on a local water taxi. You gear can then be transported on to the lodge, so you are free to enjoy the walk without the burden of a heavy pack. Take just a day pack with lunch etc. with you on the walk. | 
