See full version: How to Explore Marlborough Sounds Like a Local
For the buzz of a village, Picton has a bunch of quirky cafes, restaurants and shops, while the historic town of Havelock at the head of Pelorus Sound will charm the pants off you. Otherwise, Blenheim is the closest city, a three hour drive away. here
The waterways are an adventure playground, from kayaking the Pelorus river to diving and snorkeling around the pristine waters of the coastline. It’s a dreamy part of New Zealand, and no surprise that it’s a favourite local holiday spot.
The main bodies of water which make up Marlborough Sounds are Kenepuru Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound, Mahau Sound and Pelorus Sound. These drowned river values are all incredibly picturesque, with the most popular and built-up being Queen Charlotte Sound, with its own cafes and resorts. Picton, the bustling port town with a bunch of cafes and restaurants, is located just on the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound, and is the best place to stock up on food, pick up a map or organise a tour.
If there was one place in New Zealand which could delight so many of the senses all once, Marlborough Sounds would fit the bill. It’s a maze of ancient sunken river valleys on the Pacific Ocean, rumbling and churning with friendly marine life. It’s 1500km of coastline, wrapped and folded into sheltered inlets and sandy coves. The land around the sounds, meanwhile, is some of New Zealand’s best wine country, and covered in vineyards and farms producing exquisite wine and produce. Marlborough is known around the world for its sauvignon blanc, and the fresh seafood ain’t bad, either.
Of course, there’s a multitude of stunning tiny inlets and coves which make up Marlborough Sounds as well, so the adventure is never-ending.
A great way to explore more of the Marlborough Sounds is to take a leisurely cruise through the secluded bays of the Pelorus Sound, famous for its mussels. Or you could take the Pelorus mail boat cruise - one of only a couple in New Zealand - which delivers mail and supplies to residents who live nestled in the sounds.
Entering the Marlborough Sounds is a beautiful transition into an extensive labyrinth of waterways, featuring breathtaking panoramic views of the sunken mountains which form the intricate landscape. The lush greenery of the forest-clad hills that soar into the sky contrast with the brilliant blue hues of the Pacific Ocean and the azure colours in the more sheltered coves and bays. [links]
Somes Island, along with much of the surrounding Wellington harbour region, was an area settled by Maori – and it’s easy to see why. With excellent vantage points and abundant fishing opportunities, the geography and natural resources were ideal. A historic and conservation reserve, Somes Island is owned by Te Atiawa iwi and managed by the Department of Conservation. The island is now a carefully managed pest-free sanctuary and home to many endangered species of bird and wildlife, including the tuatara, giant weta, skink, gecko, kakariki, North Island robin and the little blue penguin. more
Cruising on out past Oriental Bay and Evans Bay you’ll see some of Wellington’s coastal suburbs and the surrounding hillsides dotted with residential houses. Sailing on past Mount Victoria and the Miramar Peninsular to the south-east, the city fades into the background. more
Somes Island has played a number of important roles throughout New Zealand’s history. In the 1820’s the island was used as a quarantine station to confine both immigrants suspected of having infectious diseases and animals aboard incoming ships. Plus in World War II the island was used as an internment camp, to imprison alien immigrants who were considered a threat to security. In fact, the island still has World War II gun emplacements visible on the island, which together with its number of easy walking tracks, make it a great family day out. more
Walks to the Pencarrow Lighthouse from Eastbourne are a popular day trip, which is easily accessed via the Parangararahu Lakes area of the East Harbour Regional Park. There are also mountain bike trails out to Pencarrow Lakes which are situated behind, to the east, of Pencarrow Head. more
A great way to explore more of the Marlborough Sounds is to take a leisurely cruise through the secluded bays of the Pelorus Sound, famous for its mussels. Or you could take the Pelorus mail boat cruise - one of only a couple in New Zealand - which delivers mail and supplies to residents who live nestled in the sounds.
Entering the Marlborough Sounds is a beautiful transition into an extensive labyrinth of waterways, featuring breathtaking panoramic views of the sunken mountains which form the intricate landscape. The lush greenery of the forest-clad hills that soar into the sky contrast with the brilliant blue hues of the Pacific Ocean and the azure colours in the more sheltered coves and bays. [links]
Somes Island, along with much of the surrounding Wellington harbour region, was an area settled by Maori – and it’s easy to see why. With excellent vantage points and abundant fishing opportunities, the geography and natural resources were ideal. A historic and conservation reserve, Somes Island is owned by Te Atiawa iwi and managed by the Department of Conservation. The island is now a carefully managed pest-free sanctuary and home to many endangered species of bird and wildlife, including the tuatara, giant weta, skink, gecko, kakariki, North Island robin and the little blue penguin. more
Cruising on out past Oriental Bay and Evans Bay you’ll see some of Wellington’s coastal suburbs and the surrounding hillsides dotted with residential houses. Sailing on past Mount Victoria and the Miramar Peninsular to the south-east, the city fades into the background. more
Somes Island has played a number of important roles throughout New Zealand’s history. In the 1820’s the island was used as a quarantine station to confine both immigrants suspected of having infectious diseases and animals aboard incoming ships. Plus in World War II the island was used as an internment camp, to imprison alien immigrants who were considered a threat to security. In fact, the island still has World War II gun emplacements visible on the island, which together with its number of easy walking tracks, make it a great family day out. more
Walks to the Pencarrow Lighthouse from Eastbourne are a popular day trip, which is easily accessed via the Parangararahu Lakes area of the East Harbour Regional Park. There are also mountain bike trails out to Pencarrow Lakes which are situated behind, to the east, of Pencarrow Head. more
If you want to fly to the area from further afield in New Zealand, there's a relatively large and well-connected airport at Nelson and smaller airports at Blenheim and Picton. [links]
The Marlborough Sounds are a network of drowned valleys, with mountains that once reached more than 6,500 feet. The sounds (large ocean inlets, wider than similar fiords) are believed to have been created about 14,000 years ago. The Marlborough Sounds are comprised of four sounds (and hundreds of bays and inlets): Queen Charlotte, Pelorus, Kenepuru, and Mahau. Mahau Sound is much smaller than the other three, and Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds are the largest.
Picton has the largest concentration of hotels in the Marlborough Sounds, but it would be a shame to limit yourself to staying in this town, which is quite atypical of the whole area. It is quite a transit hub and is much more "touristy" than other parts of the sounds.
Many travelers enter the Marlborough Sounds at Picton, after taking the ferry from Wellington, which is across the Cook Strait. Or, they leave the South Island via Picton, the same way. The ferry isn't the only way to reach the Marlborough Sounds, however. Picton is about a two-hour drive east of Nelson, the largest city at the top of the South Island, and a half-hour drive from Blenheim. These cities are connected via long-distance buses. Picton is also connected to Blenheim and places further south (such as Kaikoura) by scenic trains, which run seasonally. here
A jagged area of islands, inlets, and sunken valleys, the Marlborough Sounds at the top of New Zealand's South Island is a spectacularly beautiful part of the country. Although it's not a national park area, there are around 50 Department of Conservation-administered reserves, with lush native forest and birdlife. One of New Zealand's most popular multi-day hikes (the Queen Charlotte Track) cuts through the sounds, and there are plenty of day hikes, too. Plus, you don't have to be super-athletic to enjoy this area, with many scenic drives and wildlife-spotting cruises to enjoy. Seafood lovers are also in luck, as New Zealand green shell mussels are farmed in the sounds, meaning you can enjoy big, fat, fresh-out-of-the-sea mussels with waterside views.