The Marlborough Sounds is an intriguing puzzle of bays, inlets and islands rising abruptly from the water to rugged bush covered hills. The native forest spills over the rough peninsulas and pinnacles of the three sounds that form this area- Queen Charlotte Sound, Kenepuru Sound and Pelorus Sound. The best known of these three is Queen Charlotte Sound with it’s deep bays and coves stretching all the way out to the entrance to greet the cross strait ferries and guide them in to Picton.

The township of Picton is the starting point of the 71km long Queen Charlotte track. Cruises and water taxis provide daily access to this popular walk. The scenery is stunning and there is a variety of accommodation along the way to make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. You can make your own way along the track or take a guided trek. Walks can take anywhere from 1-4 days. Cruises, sailing charters and kayak adventures are a great way to see the sounds from the water. For something different step aboard one of the Magic mail run cruises which pass by the Regal Salmon farm, the Perano Whaling Station and out to Endeavour inlet and Ship Cove. Diving fanatics have the choice of 2 shipwrecks to dive upon- The Russian cruise liner Mikhail Lermontov and the Hippalos, a 120 year old wooden barge. For fantastic snapper fishing you can’t beat a fishing charter from Havelock. The greenshell mussel farms provide both the ideal fishing grounds and perfect background for a photo of your prized catch. The Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock is one of New Zealand’s most delightful. Weave your way around the bush covered coastline and in and out of the sheltered inlets and bays, past the holiday homes and cottages hidden below.

The isolation of the Marlborough Sounds is one of its most attractive features. There are a number of luxury resorts and lodges that are only accessible by sea. During the still evenings the area is alive with the sounds of the sea and forest. Among the most distinctive is the call of the Weka, a small native flightless bird-about the size of a hen. Some of the islands further out are home to the tuatara, a living link to the dinosaur. Motuara Island is a wildlife sanctuary a short day cruise away and home to the little blue penguins. Brown kiwi also frequent these shores. In spring you can even see the baby penguins inside their carefully disguised nesting boxes (Oct-Dec).

Picton is a thriving town full of art and craft galleries and eateries overlooking the overflowing marina. The waterfront is the hub of the area, best seen through the eyes of a guided tour for a full cultural history. Explore the historical buildings & stop for lunch at one of the welcoming restaurants on your way. The Picton Museum tells the story of the Whaling history in the sounds and a short walk away, you can find out about the Edwin Fox, the sole survivor of the fleets that once graced these shores. The small museum next to it explains the life and significance of the ship. View the nearby seahorse collection at Seahorse World which includes a collection of local marine life including a preserved giant squid. Take a Myths and Legends tour of the sounds with a local Maori family.

The Marlborough Sounds is also close to the superb wineries of the district with Marlborough producing some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blanc’s. Take time to visit one or many of these on a wine tour. Distilleries and Breweries offer tastings for locally produced fruit brandies, beers and liqueurs. The mussels and fresh seafood here are among the tastiest and freshest in New Zealand and the scenery and sunny days make the Sounds a destination not to be missed.

Marlborough Sounds