Natural Encounters Walks

Natural Encounters Walks

Natural Encounters Walks
5
Boat ToursWalking ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Natural Encounters Walks, have been providing walking holiday packages of the Queen Charlotte Track for many years. A uniquely different multi day walk, with a wide range of accommodation options and daily luggage transfers combined with restaurants or bar meals plus having your overnight luggage waiting for you when you arrive each day makes this walk perfect for a holiday in comfort. We are locally based in Picton, New Zealand and have a huge amount of knowledge in creating the perfect walking holiday for our guests. Our walk packages on the Queen Charlotte Track have been designed to create the maximum walking holiday in style making your experience as enjoyable as possible.
Picton, New Zealand

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles60 reviews
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56
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Intron01
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Amazing 3 days if you don't have time for the full walk. Start at ship cove and end at torea bay. Dinner at Mahana lodge is a standout, definitely worth paying extra for.

Greg and natural encounters were very helpful with planning and communication was great. Would recommend this company and tour to all.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paddy
Nelson, New Zealand5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Solo
I would highly recommend Natural Encounters. Greg was so professional and very responsive. It was all organised for me, down to the fine details of luggage transfers, water taxis and lunch. The trip itself was unforgettable with beautiful accommodation along the way. I did the solo walk - all the relevant information was provided in an information pack and I had no issues. The walk was amazing, this part of NZ is so beautiful and there are so many photo opportunities! Go and book, you won't regret it.
Written 9 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kerrie S
Berry, Australia9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2012 • Friends
We booked an unguided hike of the Queen Charlotte Track with Natural Encounters and chose the package which included staying at the very special B & B Fernview Cottage. Greg the owner and his partner do an amazing job of organising your hike and spoiling you during your stay at Fernview Cottage. Carlie's breakfasts are delicious and her packed lunch on the first day of our hike was fresh and wholesome. Greg has an amazing attention to detail with all aspects of his organisation and is very obliging from the minute you arrive at Fernview. He even drove us to the ferry terminal at the end of our holiday. Natural Encounters is a great way to experience the wonder and beauty of Queen Charlotte.
Written 7 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lesley B
Melbourne, Australia8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Couples
My husband and I recently did the 4 day unguided Queen Charlotte walk and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it- the scenery was stunning, the food (including the nutritious packed lunches each day) delicious and the delivery of our bags to each destination . Greg' s wonderful organisation meant that we did not have to think about anything..just walk! We highly recommend Natural Encounters!
Written 15 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stella B
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2011 • Friends
We walked the Queen Charlotte Track with Natural Encounters in mid-November 2011. We chose Natural Encounters because we liked the option of the 5 day package - with a "rest day" along the way to stretch out the experience! Communication during the planning phase was very good, prompt replies and good advice throughout.
Greg picked us up from the ferry at Picton so we didn't have to worry about finding our way. We stayed with Greg and Carlie at their own "Fernview" B&B before and after the walk. Their place is literally 5 minutes walk from all the restaurants in town so dinner was easy. Greg and Carlie were natural, friendly and generous hosts and made us comfortable right away. Greg talked us through the "plan" for the walk and the information package he had ready for us was invaluable, especially on the longer walking days helping us to pace each stretch of the track correctly to stay on schedule - and to avoid certain boring side-tracks in favour of the better ones :) Carlie also set us up for the walk with a GREAT breakfast.
Once Greg dropped us off for the boat to start the walk everything we needed was organised in advance by Natural Encounters - all the transfers of our luggage, all the accommodation, breakfasts and dinners included, yummy packed lunches every day - all we had to do was walk and enjoy the beautiful surroundings! Everything went off without a hitch and we never had a worry about anything. The scenery was beautiful and varied - though with a recurring theme of stupidly clear blue water. We felt very well taken care of and VERY well fed - the best part of the long walks each day was the ability to do justice to the amazing food.
Don't know how lucky we were but we even had perfect weather :) Did Natural Encounters book that too?
Written 30 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David W
Greater Newcastle, Australia48 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2013 • Friends
My son and I did the 4 day unguided Queen Charlotte Walk, and loved it! Greg's preparation and organisation were faultless, even when the ferry was late (because another ferry lost it's propellor - NOT confidence-inspiring!) Furneaux Lodge is a beautifully restored, original Picton house that is picturesque, quiet and relaxing. Greg and Carly have recreated the best of the Lakes District B&B in Marlborough. Greg's love of walking, knowledge of the local area, and great sense of humour added immeasurably to the experience. The food at each of our overnight stays was just excellent, and we met lots of interesting, lovely people. The visit to the bird sanctuary on Motuara island made us realise how different things would have been when Captain Cook first visited, but it's easy to see why he thought he'd sailed into paradise, and why he fulfilled here King George's wish to name something of great beauty after his wife. Fabulous trip - would do it all again tomorrow if I wasn't expected back at work.
Written 18 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

morobe
Brisbane62 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2012 • Friends
Three of us walked to Queen Charlotte Track after booking an unguided walk with Greg at Natural Encounters in Picton.

Greg was great and organised everything including accommodation and transfers at each end of the track and provided a comprehensive briefing prior to our departure.

The walk is very scenic and the accommodation each night very comfortable and your baggage is in you room awaiting your arrival, you only walk with a day pack with a lunch provided by your previous nights accommodation.

We chose the 5 day option with a rest day on the 4th day with no walking.

Whilst the walk is long we found it much easier than the Milford Track and it should be able to be undertaken by most people of reasonable fitness.
Of course for those who may struggle there is always the option of getting a water taxi to your next nights stay.

Whilst we did encounter cyclists on the route there was never any issues or incidents with everyone showing respect to each other.

I would certainly recommend Greg and Natural Encounters to anyone contemplating undertaking this walk and he also offers a guided walk option as well.
Written 10 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GandKfromOz
Mosman, Australia85 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2012 • Couples
My wife and I did the 5 day Queen Charlotte walk with Natural Encounters and it was fantastic. Our accommodation and food were of the highest standard and everything was thought of to make our 5 days, memorable. Mary, our guide, was excellent and added to the beautiful scenery with her local knowledge. Our thanks to Greg and Mary for a great experience. Gerald and Karin
Written 17 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarkule
Australia159 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2011
Just did the Queen Charlotte Track as a guided tour with Natural Encounters. It was a fabulous trip, and they were a great company to deal with. Ben was our guide for the 4 days and did a great job. He had a great knowledge of the local area, the bird life , history and vegetation. His knowlege really added to the whole experience. The whole trip ran smoothly from start to finish, they were a great company to deal with. The food and accomodation they organsied was wonderful. What a great part of the world and a great way to see it!
Written 13 March 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PVTT91
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017 • Friends
Greg from Natural Encounters did a fantastic job organising our trip to the Queen Charlotte Track. We were keen to enjoy the exertion of the walk whilst enjoying comfortable beds and good food in the evenings. The package he organised was perfect on both fronts with good accommodation and excellent meals throughout our stay.
We stayed at his house on our way in which was very comfortable and an easy walk into Picton for dinner.
On our return there was a mix up with our accommodation (booked independently from Natural Encounters) and Greg was exceptionally attentive to our plight. He took great care helping us find alternative housing and drove us to our new house.
Written 4 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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