Last updated November 2026
The Mistletoe Bay tracks are two short walks at Mistletoe Bay in Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui, about 32 km from Blenheim. You can choose the James Vogel Track, a 45-minute circular walk with a link to the Queen Charlotte Track, or the 1-hour Peninsula Walk between Mistletoe and Waterfall bays.
DOC grades them as easy to intermediate walking tracks and gives 45–60 minutes return. DOC warns of several slumps on the track near Mistletoe Bay Campsite that are “slippery and hard to navigate in wet conditions”. When we checked on 18 October 2026, DOC had no alerts for the tracks, but check DOC before you go.
Track Facts
Tracks can close at short notice for slips, storm damage or maintenance. Check DOC's current alerts for Mistletoe Bay tracks on the day you walk.
Current alerts on DOC
Practical Information
- Start
- Mistletoe Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui
- Distance from the city
- About 32 km from Blenheim
- Walking time
- 45–60 min return (James Vogel Track 45 min circuit; Peninsula Walk 1 hr round trip)
- Track length
- Not given by DOC
- Grade
- Easy (DOC: easy to intermediate walking track)
- Track type
- Walking tracks
- Managed by
- Department of Conservation
- Status
- Open when checked on 18 October 2026. Check DOC before you go.
- Track markers
- On marked bush tracks, DOC and most councils use orange triangles for the walking route. Triangles or tape in other colours, usually pink or blue, mark pest-control lines and traps. They can lead off the track, so don’t follow them.
About Mistletoe Bay Tracks
Mistletoe Bay is in Queen Charlotte Sound, and its two tracks give you a choice of a quick circuit or a slightly longer outing on the neighbouring peninsula. Both are short enough to fit into a stay at Mistletoe Bay Campsite or a day on the water.
James Vogel Track
This is a 45-minute circular walk. Along the way it links to the Queen Charlotte Track, so you can extend your day by heading out on the longer track if you have the time and the legs.
Peninsula Walk
DOC also calls this the Peninsula Track. It’s a 1-hour round trip on the peninsula between Mistletoe and Waterfall bays, and it’s the better pick if you want a little more distance.
Track Conditions
DOC notes several slumps on the track near Mistletoe Bay Campsite. They are slippery and hard to get through in wet weather, so be prepared to get wet and muddy, and wear footwear with good grip.
The weather in the Sounds is generally mild but can change quickly, especially on the water. In late summer and autumn, DOC advises carrying antihistamine if you are allergic to wasp stings. Only light fires in designated areas, and boil, filter or treat water before drinking it.
Getting There
Queen Charlotte Drive, between Picton and Havelock, is the main road through the Sounds; DOC notes the other roads are narrow, winding and mostly unsealed. Water taxis run from Picton, Havelock and French Pass to parts of the Sounds, and you can also hire yachts, launches, motor boats and sea kayaks.
Where to Learn More
Department of Conservation: Mistletoe Bay tracks: track information, alerts and status. Track information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Department of Conservation: Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area: other walks, campsites and alerts around Queen Charlotte Sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the Mistletoe Bay tracks take?
DOC gives 45–60 minutes return: about 45 minutes for the James Vogel Track circuit and 1 hour for the Peninsula Walk.
Which track should I choose?
Take the James Vogel Track for a shorter circuit with a link to the Queen Charlotte Track, or the Peninsula Walk for a slightly longer round trip between Mistletoe and Waterfall bays.
How hard are they?
DOC grades both as easy to intermediate walking tracks.
Will the track be muddy?
It can be. DOC says slumps near Mistletoe Bay Campsite are slippery and hard to navigate in wet conditions, so expect to get wet and muddy.
Does it connect to the Queen Charlotte Track?
Yes. The James Vogel Track has a link to the Queen Charlotte Track.
Are the tracks open?
They were open when we checked on 18 October 2026, with no DOC alerts, but check the DOC page before you go for the latest conditions.
How far is it from Blenheim?
About 32 km in a straight line, in Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Track Facts: Track facts and line: Crown Copyright, Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026, CC BY 4.0. Elevation: LINZ (LiDAR), CC BY 4.0.