6 minute read
ROAD TRIP: A journey through Blenheim
Blenheim to Havelock via Picton and SH 1 - 1hr 11min, 61.5km
SIDE TRIP: Blenheim to Wairau Valley via SH 6 and SH 63
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SIDE TRIP: Linkwater to Portage (Marlborough Sounds) via Kenepuru Rd - 47min, 29km
Head north from the flat grape-growing plains of Blenheim with its regimental lines of vines, driving towards the picturesque port of Picton, gateway to the South Island. You’ll pass historic sites and dramatic woodlands before arriving at the Cook Strait ferry terminal.
From here the road continues to Havelock along one of the country’s most scenic stretches – Queen Charlotte Dr. Allow plenty of extra time to stop and take photos along this portion of your journey to the quaint aquaculture centre of Havelock. This is the start of the Treasured Pathway – a heritage highway which ends at Collingwood in Golden Bay.
HIGHLIGHTS
PICTON FORESHORE
With an aquarium and playground, being waterside is year-round delightful.
PICTON VILLAGE BAKERY
Pies and slices to eat beside the seaside.
QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND
The road between Picton and Havelock is winding and wonderful, with breathtaking views of the Marlborough Sounds. Expect to make many photography stops.
Walking near Picton © Marlborough
KAYAK QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND
Launch from Ngakuta Bay, 20 minutes from Picton and discover beautiful bays, quiet coves and myriad of land and sea-based wildlife.
THE PELORUS MAIL BOAT
Hop aboard the country's longest officially licensed New Zealand Post mail run for insight into life in remote parts of the sounds.
Pelorus Mail Boat © Marlborough Tourism
LOCHMARA LODGE
Take a 20-minute boat trip from Picton to this popular eco-hotel and arts destination on the shores of Queen Charlotte Sound. It’s also a wildlife recovery centre and education centre with an underwater observatory.
MARLBOROUGH WINE TOUR & SEAFOOD CRUISE
Visit Marlborough wineries and taste their wares, then relax on a seafood cruise and learn about marine farming while sampling freshly steamed seafood paired with the local tipples.
Fresh mussels © Marlborough
KAIPŪPŪ WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
This sanctuary is in Shakespeare Bay, near Picton. A mainland island accessible by boat with a 2.7km walking track through bush full of protected birdlife.
MINERS CAMP AND FARMSTAY
Found on Queen Charlotte Track, and originally miners’ quarters (you can still go and see the mine) guests select vegetables from the garden which are then paired with meats from the farm to create home-cooked dinners.
PICTON
The Cook Strait ferries come and go from here so there is always a buzz in the air. In summer Picton has a real resort feel, especially on the foreshore.
Picton Must-Do's
> Edwin Fox
> Queen Charlotte Track
> Picton Heritage & Whaling Museum
> Tirohanga Track
> Havelock Museum
> EcoWorld Aquarium
Highlights of this pretty town include EcoWorld Aquarium, home to tuatara and marine life; the Edwin Fox Ship & Visitor Centre (complete with namesake 166-year-old ship) and the Picton Heritage & Whaling Museum sits on London Quay. Art lovers should nip into the contemporary Good Day Gallery, which hosts hundreds of artworks and hides an art museum just behind: open for free art tours most Sundays from 1.30pm. For adventurers, Blumine Island’s scenic reserve is 22km off Picton’s shoreline, with native birdlife, historical war bunkers and a Department of Conservation campsite. Water taxis or kayaks are your best means of getting there.
Walking near Picton © Marlborough
TOP WALKS
QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK - Walk or bike this iconic, well defined 70km stretch of the Marlborough Sounds, from Ship Cove (the most popular starting point) to Anakiwa. Most walkers allow four or five days but biking is also permitted between Ship Cove and Kenepuru Saddle outside of the peak walking season (from the end of February to the start of December).
NYDIA TRACK - A moderate two-day, 27km tramp with superb views from the top of the two saddles it crosses.
THE SNOUT - From Picton’s Victoria Domain, a wide driveway links to walking and cycling tracks and a bush walk that begins with an up hill climb with glimpses of the Queen Charlotte Sound and Picton Wharf and township. Allow two hours each way.
TIROHANGA TRACK - Give yourself 50 minutes each way to climb to the top of the track for startling views over The Sounds and Picton.
LINK PATHWAY - An historic track that follows an old bridle trail. This is a community driven project to complete a 42km path between Picton and Havelock and all but the last few kilometres west of Linkwater have been completed.
Link Pathway © Tourism Marlborough
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
SHIP COVE
Going by both its English moniker, SHIP COVE, and its original Māori name, MERETOTO, this bay was navigated by both renowned Māori voyager, Kupe, and Captain James Cook. Interpretation panels detail the stories of both men.
TUAMARINA CEMETERY
10km north of Blenheim, includes a memorial to the Wairau affray in 1843, the first conflict between the Māori and the Europeans following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
EDWIN FOX SHIP & VISITOR CENTRE
Located at Picton’s Dunbar Wharf is the resting place of the world’s ninth oldest ship, built 166 years ago in Calcutta.
Havelock © Marlborough Havelock Group
DROP INTO HAVELOCK
This peaceful port gives access to the Mahau, Kenepuru and Pelorus sounds, with many boat trips on offer and water taxis available. The famous Pelorus Mail Boat departs from here while other boat trips include the popular Greenshell Mussel Cruise, which highlights the crustacean’s influence on the area. Then there’s Pelorus Jack: a local hero, albeit a finned one. The dolphin guided ships through Cook Strait waters between 1888 and 1912. Footage of his efforts exist in Havelock Museum.
The Mussel Pot, Havelock © Tourism Marlborough
SIDE TRIP: Wairau Valley
Opening out onto the Wairau Plain where Renwick and Blenheim are sited, this valley is where Marlborough’s most famous wine industry is found.
RAPAURA RD in the heart of Marlborough’s top grape growing region has various vineyards and the Vines Village, with boutique shopping, a café and Whitehaven’s cellar door.
THE GOLDEN MILE is actually a 6km bike ride through Rapaura and Renwick that features nine wineries. Win a prize by becoming a Golden Mile champion.
CORK & KEG - You’ll get a warm welcome at this popular English-style pub in Renwick.
RENWICK MUSEUM - Opened in 1967, this one follows the town’s journey from the pioneering days of the 1850s.
Wairau wineries in Marlborough © Destination Marlborough
SIDE TRIP: The Marlborough Sounds
The pristine waters of the Marlborough Sounds – with 1500km of winding coastline – is stunning at every twist and turn, every beach and bay. These ancient valleys now filled with water accommodate amazing marine life including dolphins, seals and whales. Boat trips, kayaking, tramping and mountain biking are all popular. You’ll find many options for accommodation – from luxury lodges and eco-sanctuaries to camping grounds.
Stingray feeding, Marlborough Sounds © Lochmara Lodge
Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound was the base for Captain James Cook and his crew when they travelled here in The Endeavour in 1770. A monument commemorates the visit. During their stay they raised a flag on nearby Motuara Island to claim sovereignty over the surrounding area and named it Queen Charlotte Sound in honour of King George III’s consort. Māori had known it as Tōtaranui (‘nui’ meaning big and ‘tōtara’ the tree, due to the tree-like shape made by the inlets).
Ship Cove can be reached by boat but also by walking the Queen Charlotte Track, the views from which are stunning, including not just of Queen Charlotte Sound, but also, on the other side of the peninsula, Kenepuru Sound. The largest though is Pelorus Sound, which is 42km long.
Punga Cove, Marlborough Sounds
Tourism Marlborough
