Three self-contained timber cabins and a six-bed bunk room on Endeavour Inlet, Queen Charlotte Sound, reachable only by water taxi or track.
At a glance
- Off-grid
- No
- Hot tub
- Yes
- Good for
- CouplesGroupsRemote work
Tawa Cove Cabins sits on the shore of Endeavour Inlet in Queen Charlotte Sound, part of the Marlborough Sounds. There is no road access: guests arrive by water taxi from Picton, by private boat, or on foot via the Queen Charlotte Track, which reaches Tawa Cove roughly 13.5 km and four to four and a half hours' walk from Ship Cove. A private jetty serves boat arrivals.
The property is adults-only and offers three self-contained timber cabins tucked into native bush, each with its own bathroom, kitchenette, deck and BBQ, sleeping a maximum of two adults. Cabin 1 has a sea view; Cabins 2 and 3 face into the bush. For groups or walkers travelling together, The Shanty is a bunk-room option with one queen bed and two bunks (four single beds), sleeping up to six adults, with its own bathroom accessed from the deck and use of a communal kitchen.
There are no shops or restaurants nearby. Home-cooked meals, breakfast provisions and lunch packs can be delivered to the cabins, along with beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks for purchase, or guests can self-cater using the kitchenette, BBQ or communal kitchen. A waterfront hot tub is available, and kayaks, paddleboards and fishing are among the ways to spend time on the water.
Scheduled water taxis run from Picton through operators such as Beachcomber Cruises and Cougar Line, with on-demand options also available. Luggage transfers can be arranged for track walkers. Bookings and enquiries go through the Tawa Cove Cabins website or by phone.
Good to know
- How do you get to Tawa Cove Cabins?
- There is no road access. Guests arrive by scheduled or on-demand water taxi from Picton (about 1.5 to 2 hours), by private boat to the private jetty, or by walking the Queen Charlotte Track from Ship Cove, roughly 13.5 km and four to four and a half hours away.
- How many guests can each accommodation sleep?
- Each of the three self-contained timber cabins sleeps a maximum of two adults. The Shanty bunk room sleeps up to six adults across one queen bed and two bunks.
- Is Tawa Cove Cabins suitable for families with children?
- No, it is an adults-only property.
- Can you get meals there, or do you need to bring your own food?
- Home-cooked meals, breakfast provisions and lunch packs can be delivered to your cabin, or you can self-cater using the kitchenette and BBQ, or the communal kitchen if staying in The Shanty.
- Is there a hot tub on site?
- Yes, a waterfront hot tub is available for guests; check current pricing and booking details directly with the property.
Details checked November 2, 2026. Prices and hours change; confirm before you go.
More getaways near Marlborough Sounds
Aoraki Alpine Lodge
Mountain lodgeAoraki, Canterbury
A family-run lodge in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with a shared kitchen, mountain-view lounge and walking access to the Hooker Valley Track.
$Lake Tekapo, Canterbury
A one-bedroom cabin near Lake Tekapo's lakefront, with a hot tub, full kitchen and king bed, sleeping two, from $370 a night.
$$$$Drift Off Grid
Glamping tentAbel Tasman, Tasman
Two off-grid glamping tents above Tata Beach near Abel Tasman National Park, with ocean views, outdoor baths and fire pits, from $600 NZD a night.
$$$$McIntosh Hut
Mountain lodgeQueenstown, Otago
Free, basic four-bunk hut in Otago's Whakaari Conservation Area near Glenorchy, reached by an 8-10 hour advanced return track.
$McIntyre Hut
Fire lookoutQueenstown, Otago
A first-come, first-served fire lookout hut in Otago's Whakaari Conservation Area, reached by an 8-10 hour advanced return track, sleeping 5 for $15 a night.
$Ngahere Hou
YurtMarlborough
An off-grid yurt stay on a 40-acre bush reserve at Kenepuru Head, Marlborough, with hot tub, waterfront views and organic breakfast included.
