and the Sounds Top of the South

the 71km hike shared trail for cycling and walking caters to all ages and abilities: from a 10-minute stroll or up to five days tramping through the Sounds.

It will take you through stunning coastal views, native bush and wildlife and a variety of historical landmarks.

If time is of the essence, Snout Track is a great place to start, offering spectacular views over the harbour and coming in at just under three hours total walking time.

There are many small adjoining tracks within Victoria Domain to reach the start of this track, including via Lower Bob’s Bay Track, Upper Bob’s Bay Track and the Picton-Wai- kawa Walkway. The area is well known for promoting predator-free sanctuaries for native wildlife and several islands within the Sounds, such as Motuara, Long, Blumine and Allports Islands. gun emplacements. Located closer to Picton is Allports Island, a haven to native birds, little blue penguins and kiwi.

Accessible only by boat, these are ideal for picnics, forest walks or viewing historic sites. Motuara Island provides a unique opportunity to see several rare bird species and get up close and personal to some of the more common species.

Kaipupu Sanctuary situated next to the Picton Harbour, is separated from the mainland by a predator proof fence and is also accessible only via water. A purpose-built track means you can wander through regenerating bush, ancient beech and tawa forest or sit and listen to the sounds of nature, away from the hustle of everyday life.

Lying to the east of Motuara is Long Island Kokomohua Marine Reserve and moving south you will find Blumine Island Oruawairua, where you can follow the track from the campsite to the large WWII

Whether visiting for a day, a night or a week, or making a more permanent move, the seaside township with boutique shopping and renowned cafes and restaurants, seemingly endless 1500km stretch of intricate coastline, plethora of walkways, will