The Magic of the Marlborough Sounds

Reaching out into the Pacific Ocean like the fingers of a welcoming hand, the Marlborough Sounds area is made up of three main bodies of water - the Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds. This collection of drowned river valleys is a natural wonder unparalleled in New Zealand. Uncrowded except over the Christmas holiday period cruising is joy for the cruising vessel, able to find an anchorage in a bay where yours will be the only vessel, particularly in Pelorus, Kenepuru sounds and D’urville Island.

Bordered by forested hills rising almost vertically from the water’s edge, the Marlborough Sounds is a true scenic highlight and is easily sailed from either Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson, Mana marina, and Picton if chartering a vessel. Sail, paddle, kayak or motor through this picturesque maritime area.

Fine restaurants, accommodation lodges, protected anchorages are in abundance throughout to make your cruise a memorable one.

* Top of the South Island, separated from the North Island by Cook Strait.

Key Information

The Marlborough region is situated on the north-eastern corner of the South Island, due west of Wellington.

Marlborough is New Zealand's largest grape growing and wine making region with 65 wineries, 290 grape growers and 4054 hectares in grape production. Nearly all of the wineries welcome visitors for tasting sessions and many have a cafe or restaurant on site. Sauvignon Blanc is the region's specialty, but wines made with Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are also highly acclaimed. Wine trail maps make it easy to find your way around the vineyards. Boutique Bed and Breakfast accommodation can be found throughout the wine growing area.

Before the wine industry came along, Marlborough's fame lay with its sounds--sunken valleys that are home to all kinds of wonderful bird and sea life, including terns, shags, blue penguins, dolphins and seals. Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds can be explored by boat--ferry, runabout, luxury charter launch or kayak. Admire the spectacular scenery where bush and mountains rise straight from the sea, and secret coves beckon you for a swim. Queen Charlotte Track is another way to appreciate the intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. The 67 kilometre track passes through lush coastal forest, around coves and inlets, and along skyline ridges offering breathtaking views of the Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds.

Guided trout fishing and hunting tours are other ways to appreciate the beauty of the Marlborough landscape. The average brown trout in this region weighs between 1 to 3 kilograms, depending on the fishing ground.

Main Centres in Marlborough

· Blenheim - the main town of Marlborough and a central base for vineyard visits

· Picton - Marlborough's main commercial port and access to Queen Charlotte Sound

· Havelock - the gateway to the Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds

· Renwick - just minutes from Blenheim, another good base to explore the wine region

· Wairau Valley - a place to stop en route to the Nelson Lakes National Park

· Seddon - traditionally a farming area, now known for its craftspeople and gardens

· Kekerengu - nestled on the East Coast on the way to Kaikoura with its own blend of attractions

Take a break from your vessel and explore the region

Blenheim or Picton is the base to begin your explorations of Marlborough's wineries.

· Tour the wineries and breweries with a guide, so you won't have to worry about driving

· Lunch alfresco amongst the vines - many wineries have a cafe or restaurant

· Follow the art and craft trail to see a thriving creative community in action

· Visit a distillery and see how it's done - taste locally produced fruit brandies and liqueurs

There's more to Marlborough than wine - see what else happens in this beautiful region.

Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough

· Enjoy a high country horse trekking trip

· Explore private gardens open for viewing

· Local museums and restored heritage homes illustrate the early history of the region

· Find out about fly-fishing and hunting tours

· In summer you can do a guided tour of Molesworth Station, a high country farm. View the grandeur and beauty of the mountainous high country

· Take a walk in Wither Hills Farm Park - great views over Marlborough and the Wairau Plains

· Visit an orchard for seasonal fruit, in particular Marlborough cherries (December - January)

· Art galleries offer ever changing exhibitions of local and national artists

· Take a river cruise along the traditional trading route used by the early settlers

· Visit the Alpaca and Llamas just out of Koromiko

Soak Up the Scenery of the Sounds

A sound is a valley drowned by the sea - forest and water merge to create a dramatic coastal landscape with a unpolluted navigable body of water.

· Arrive by sea through the glorious maze of deep coves and bays of Queen Charlotte Sound, Pelorus sound and D’urville Island. Fine restaurants , lodges , and protected anchorages beckon

· Explore the town of Picton. European settlement of this area began in the 1840s and many of the early buildings still grace the waterfront

· Go on a sea kayaking safari - guide yourself or join a group

· Walk the Queen Charlotte Track (three - four days) - a popular walkway with many entry and exit points and numerous top class resorts and accommodation providers along its length

· Visit the Edwin Fox, a maritime artefact, situated in Picton

· Dive shipwrecks - the Russian cruise liner Mikhail Lermontov and the wreck of the Hippalos, a 120-year old wooden barque

· Charter a sailing boat and cruise the Sounds if you don’t own a vessel or wish to leave it in the North Island - Skippers can also be hired

The Boutique Wineries of the Wairau Plain

Ponder Estate Vineyard, Marlborough

Traditionally a farming landscape, this expansive plain is now home to the largest grape growing area in New Zealand. The region's soil types, abundant sunshine, long autumns and crisp, cool winters have proved to be the ingredients needed to produce world class wines. One of the most popular ways to see and sample what Marlborough has to offer is a wine trail, which might also encompass boutique breweries, olive groves and distilleries. There are a variety of operators able to tailor a trail to your tastes. Many of the wineries have restaurant and cafe facilities on site--an ideal opportunity to experience alfresco dining amongst the vines.

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Choose Mana Marina 41 06 S 174 52’ E Seaview Marina Wellington, or Waikawa Marina Picton 41 167 S 174 017 E to haul out over the winter months and tour the rest of the south Island.

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