Tawa Cove is completely remote, with no road access -- and that's part of what makes it special.
You can arrive by water taxi from Picton, come by your private boat or walk the Queen Charlotte Track from Ship Cove.
Whichever way you arrive, you'll soon find yourself surrounded by native bush, beautiful water and the peaceful Marlborough Sounds.
NO ROAD ACCESS
Tawa Cove can only be reached by water taxi or via the Queen Charlotte Track. Please plan your arrival before travelling.
Arriving by Water Taxi
The easiest way to reach Tawa Cove is by water taxi from Picton.
Water taxis travel through the Marlborough Sounds regularly and can drop you directly at our private jetty at Tawa Cove.
There are two water taxi operators servicing the Queen Charlotte Sound, so please check their current timetables and book your transfer in advance, particularly during busy periods.
Luggage; you won't have to carry your bags! Both water taxi services, Beachcomber and Cougarline, will tag and deliver your bags to your accommodation after leaving you at Ship Cove. Your bags will await you in your room upon arrival. All you need to bring is your day pack!
Water Taxi Services
Cougar Line
Ph: 0800 50 40 90
Beachcomber Cruises Picton - Ph: 03 573 6175
Arriving by Private Boat
Bringing your own boat to the Marlborough Sounds?
Guests are welcome to arrive at Tawa Cove by private boat , with our own jetty making it easy to come ashore and settle in.
Tawa Cove is approximately 45 minutes by boat from Picton, depending on conditions and your vessel.
Mooring
We have one Mooring available for a vessel up to 12 metres.
Please let us know well in advance if you will be requiring the mooring during your stay & we will reserve for you. Availability is not guaranteed unless reserved prior.
Walking the Queen Charlotte Track from Ship Cove
Walking the Queen Charlotte Track? Make Tawa Cove your first stop.
From Ship Cove, it's approximately 13km and 4-4.5 hours' walking to Tawa Cove through beautiful native bush along the Queen Charlotte Track.
Start your journey by water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove, then walk the track to Tawa Cove where you can relax, enjoy a home-cooked meal and spend the night beside the water.
Tawa Cove is a particularly convenient option for walkers wanting to stay earlier along the Queen Charlotte Track, rather than continuing further into the Sounds on their first day.
FOR QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK WALKERS
Distance from Ship Cove: Approximately 13km
Walking time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Accommodation: Private cabins for two adults or The Shanty for up to 6 adults
Meals: Home-cooked meals and Lunch packs available by pre-order
Arrival: Walk directly to Tawa Cove via the Queen Charlotte Track or water taxi
Luggage Transfers for Queen Charlotte Track Walkers
Walk the track without carrying all your luggage
Boh Cougar Line and Beachcomber Cruises offer daily luggage transfers along the Queen Charlotte Track. Your bags can be delivered directly to Tawa Cove's private jetty on the day you arrive, ready for you when you finish your walk. Please organise this directly with them at the time of booking your transfers.
When you ready to continue your journey, your luggage can be collected from our jetty the following morning and transferred to your next accommodation.
This makes Tawa Cove a convenient and comfortable stop for Queen Charlotte Track walkers travelling between accommodations.
DAILY BAG TRANSFERS
Bags delivered directly to our private jetty. We will collect your bags & place in your cabin.
WALK WITH A LIGHTER PACK
Enjoy the track without carrying heavy luggage
Finding Tawa Cove on the Queen Charlotte Track
Keep an eye out for the Tawa Cove sign.
If you're walking south from Ship Cove, continue along the Queen Charlotte Track until you reach the Tawa Saddle picnic table. From here, its approximately 35 minutes further along the track.
Look for the Tawa Cove sign on the left-hand side of the track. From the sign, follow the access track down to Tawa Cove -- its approximately a 10-15 minutes walk down to the property and cabins.
There are sections that are steep in places & the final section includes many steps, so please allow a little extra time if wet & take care on descent.
Good To Know
Please note that a reasonable level of fitness is required to walk the track. The Marlborough Sounds are hilly, and like many properties here, our access track is steep in places and includes several steps at the Tawa Cove end. It's a 10-15minute descent and a 20 minute ascent. Guests who find this challenging are often those with knee issues, which may be worth considering if you have similar concerns.
A little heads up for walkers: Tawa Cove is tucked away below the Queen Charlotte Track, so once you've arrived, the only way back onto the track is back up the hill. There is no access onwards from the property. The climb is steep and includes steps.