NZ Capital to the Coast

You’ll transfer to a water taxi in Picton and transfer to Punga Cove. A great way to see the beautiful sounds where you will spend the next 3-nights.

Set amongst stunning scenery in the magnificent waterways of New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds, Punga Cove Resort is the perfect retreat to relax in style. The restaurant offers breathtaking views of the entire Endeavour Inlet. Guest studio with breakfast and dinner included daily.

How would you like to explore?

Choose your own adventure! One activity per day is included from the list below. The choice is yours!

Seafood Odyssea Cruise

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Queen Charlotte Sound with endless bays and coves to explore. You’ll discover different scenery around every corner. This Seafood Odyssea Cruise offers a unique range of sightseeing, birdlife and wildlife. You’ll learn about the Marlborough Sounds area and the local seafoods grown. Onboard is a fabulous seafood tasting matched to stunning Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Tour duration: approximately 3.5 hours

Kaipupu Point Cruise and Walk 

Sit back and relax as Cougar Line cruises to the beautiful and secluded Kaipupu Point Mainland Sanctuary that is only accessible by boat.

Blumine Island Bird Watching Tour

Experience the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track by bike. Views, bush, beaches – today’s ride has it all. You’ll take a water taxi from Picton to Torea Bay, and return exhilarated from Anakiwa at the end of your day. This morning from Torea Bay to the main Queen Charlotte Track is challenging. It’s a tough climb and you’ll need to push your bike. Your reward is the view into the Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte Sound as you head for the Te Mahia Saddle. With the hardest section behind you, the track from Te Mahia Saddle is much easier. With a long, gradual and exhilarating descent to Anakiwa. Grab an ice-cream or cold drink from The Green Caravan as you await your return water taxi.

Full Day Guided Walk in Queen Charlotte Sound with Wilderness Guides 

You’ll start the day with a water taxi from Picton to Ship Cove past salmon farms and sea birds. This scenic reserve is a significant historical site of early Māori occupation. Your guided walk along the Queen Charlotte Track begins at Ship Cove and ends at Endeavour Inlet. The bush is a mixture of stunning podocarp and beech forest. With punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. This is the premier section of the Queen Charlotte Track. The views across the sound are beautiful. Your informative local guide will talk about the European and Māori history of the area. You’ll also learn about the plentiful birds and plants you encounter along the way. You’ll enjoy a fresh packed lunch with coffee or tea along your way. At the end of the walk, you’ll stop at the historic Furneaux Lodge while you await collection by water taxi. A great way to toast a fantastic day out walking the Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds.

Abel Tasman National Park Vista Barbecue Cruise

Travel in style along the golden granite coast. Discover Split Apple Rock, Tonga Island Marine Reserve and Adele Island Wildlife Reserve. View seabirds and seals and watch out for Little Blue Penguins. Including is a classic Kiwi Barbecue Lunch. You may choose to eat on board, or take your lunch ashore. With time to relax on a golden-sand cove before returning aboard the Vista Cruise.

Sailing Adventures, Abel Tasman National Park

The Abel Tasman National Park coastline offers some of the best sailing in New Zealand. Peaceful relaxing sailing early in the day is the ideal time to cruise North. Exploring the native bush clad coastline and golden beaches. The afternoon offers the thrill and excitement of fast sailing. A great opportunity to ride the waves back down the coast. Shelter and calm water is still available in most bays when the breeze is up. Offering a great balance for cruising sailors. All the yachts Sailing Adventures operate are modern, safe and very well equipped. Skippers are MSA qualified, with years of experience sailing the Abel Tasman coastline. You’ll learn about the history of the National Park and how to sail. Or you can sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery.

The summit of Takaka Hill sits 791 metres above sea level with spectacular views of Golden Bay. There are short walks on either side of the summit (time permitting). At the valley floor you’ll find the small village of Takaka. Takaka has a thriving arts and crafts community which is worth exploring. Continuing along the coast you’ll pass the historic settlement of Onekaka. Once a thriving industrial town, it’s now home to craftspeople and producers of artesian products.

Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a bird sanctuary and wetland of international importance. It’s around 35km long with public access restricted to the first 4km. More protected than other national parks, vehicle access is only for supervised tours. Onetahua is the Maori name for Farewell Spit and translated means “heaped up sand”. As well as exploring the spit, stops in Puponga and at the most northern point on the South island, Cape Farewell.
From the cliff top, you’ll see seals and their pups all year round basking on the rocks below. Along the beach you have stunning views of the Tasman coastline. You can climb the sand dune at Mullet Channel where you’ll have panoramic views of the inter- tidal plain. Plus, a stop at Fossil Point. Where fossilised shells and wormcasts emerge from blocks of mudstone cliffs.

This evening you’ll visit the Brancott Estate Heritage Centre. The home of Brancott Estate wines. Located at Brancott Vineyard, the site of the first Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough. The Brancott Estate Showcase is an exclusive and intimate dining experience. It presents the best of Brancott Estate and the Marlborough region in a stunning setting. With a tailored menu featuring the best local produce and Brancott paired wines.

Trams played an important role in transporting the people of Christchurch until 1954. In 1995, the Tramway historical society reintroduced the beautiful trams. Travel from the top of New Regent Street near the junction with Armagh Street. You’ll venture through the quaint arcade with Spanish style buildings and sunny cafes. Continuing through Cathedral Junction, home to several of the city’s restored hotels. Turning right at Worcester Street, heads west through Cathedral Square. As you cross the Avon River, you’ll discover the Arts centre and Botanic Gardens.

All good things must come to an end. Say farewell to new friends with dinner at Fiddlesticks, in the heart of the Arts Precinct.