Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company

Sea Kayaking in the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound

msac — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:30:37 +0000

If you have ever wondered what a sea kayaking trip would be like in the outer-Queen Charlotte Sound, then check out this blog post by one of our guides Christina Chowaniec. Enjoy!

http://damgoodlogistics.com/the-best-paddling-destination-in-nz-that-youve-never-heard-of-marlborough-sounds/

Clifford Bay – the new destination for our interisland ferry terminal?

msac — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:20:35 +0000

The big question – will the interisland ferry terminal be shifted from Picton to Clifford Bay took a step closer to being answered yesterday with the announcement that a feasibility study will be completed by early next year.

Clifford Bay is located on the eastern coastline, directly opposite Wellington and about a 1.5 hour drive south of Picton. It is said will take 80 minutes off a road-ferry trip and 110 minutes off a rail-ferry trip.

On the surface it looks a simple equation – fuel and time savings for transport will be significant, but it will be interesting to see how they justify the social impacts on not only Picton with the loss of around 1 million passengers travelling through our town but also how it affects the visitor travel routes around the top of the South. I had a chat with Katherine Ryan on Radio New Zealand about that today:

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/remote-player?id=2537399” width=”100%” frameborder=”0″ height=”62px”>

It will also be interesting to see how they justify the environmental impacts on what is currently a piece of untouched coastline.

There is also the issues around the weather with this piece of coastline being notoriously exposed and rough. We see the effects in Picton, when the ferries are cancelled or postponed due to weather. Passengers are relieved that they have the choice of cafes, shops and accommodation while they wait for the weather to clear. One can only imagine what it will be like for those marooned at Clifford Bay, with little infrastructure around them, waiting for the ferries to sail.

When we think about the impacts on our community, it is wide-reaching and has the potential to substantially change the way our town operates. Picton will always be a beautiful place to visit and stay, as will the Marlborough Sounds, but the infrastructure that we currently enjoy, which is based on the flow of visitor traffic, will change significantly if those visitor flows drop. This then flows on to the services that can be provided and in turn effects the visitor experience.

We will be working hard with others in our community to ensure that the true costs and implications of this decision are included in the feasibility study – an interesting time ahead!

Paid to Paddle: ‘Living the Dream’ in the New Zealand sea kayaking industry by Gareth Wheelerr

msac — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 23:51:03 +0000

Congratulations to Gareth Wheeler, our friend, outdoor education teacher and guide, who has just published his thesis for his Masters titled: “Paid to Paddle: ‘Living the Dream’ in the New Zealand sea kayaking industry.”

If ever you have wondered why sea kayakers choose guiding as an occupation, or if it might be an occupation that you would like to get into, then we recommend that you read Gareth’s thesis on the subject, it is a great read. You can check it out on

http://researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz/dspace/bitstream/10182/3814/1/wheeler_mappsci.pdf

Frosty start to the day in Picton

msac — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:35:44 +0000

Whoa – chilly start to the morning in Picton with our first frost of the winter. However we always know that that means a beautiful sunny day which is exactly what we have for our sea kayakers as they head out for a 2 day paddle today. Cleaning muddy mountain bikes is another seasonal activity as you can see!

Winter walking and biking specials on Queen Charlotte Track

msac — Tue, 08 May 2012 02:35:19 +0000

Oh how we love this time of the year. After a busy summer, we now have time to catch our breath, sleep in a little longer each day and go home a little earlier! Just as the weather changes, so do our activities for the winter, as we focus on “winter versions” for sea kayaking, walking and biking Queen Charlotte Track.

You may well ask why would you want to come to the Sounds in the winter, but a typical winter day in the Sounds is not to be missed! Cool evenings, frosty mornings and calm, clear days are the typical weather in the Sounds for the next few months. Perfect for walking and biking on the Queen Charlotte Track – so we have dusted off our winter walk and bike packages again. The hotels are ready and waiting to greet you each day after your walk or bike ride with toasty hotel rooms and delicious simple dinners with a glass of wine each night.

The packages are excellent value for money and a perfect opportunity to escape for a few days from the winter hum drum.

Our Australian friends can enjoy an excellent deal, flying right into Marlborough but you need to be in quick as they are only avaialble for another week on http://www.airnewzealand.com.au/cheap-flights-new-zealand

For sea kayakers, winter can be a stunning time to be out paddling – the wildlife is prolific and you can have the whole place to yourself – a paddlers dream.

We look forward to seeing you here sometime soon and just remember “there is no such thing as bad weather, just a bad choice of clothing”!

From London’s Olympic Village to the Marlborough Sounds

msac — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:27:14 +0000

It’s great to be back! After 3 years of guiding in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and the wilderness of Fiordland, completing a carpentry course at polytech in Christchurch and labouring on construction sites in London, I’ve now had 3 weeks to renew my friendship with the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.

It’s nearly 15 years since I arrived at the Portage Hotel in Kenepuru Sound looking for some work for a few months which ended up being two years. Then another six years as a guide for Sara and Dave at MSAC. Now I live in London but it is great to be back for a short visit. There’s a new office, a brilliant new bunch of staff, the buildings on the Picton foreshore are a couple of stories higher, the old-timers who I used to serve Marlborough Draft at the Portage are slowly drifting away, I’m wearing yet another MSAC uniform and the packed lunches are a bit posher, but some things haven’t changed. The seals still loiter with intent at the salmon farm, the school boat still takes the kids to school in Waitaria Bay, the lush Sounds bush still looks Jurassic compared to the stark, barren Scottish coast, the water is still a different shade of green every day, the fishing still “isn’t what it used to be” and Lulu the MSAC dog is still in charge of the office.

It’s hard to believe I was pouring concrete at the Olympic site only 3 weeks ago. And as I commute home this evening on the water taxi it’ll be even harder to believe I’ll be back sitting on the Tube in a couple of weeks. It’s made me realise what an utterly wonderful place this is. And I can thoroughly recommend to anyone gettimg stuck in the Sounds for a while!

January in the Marlborough Sounds

msac — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:29:20 +0000

Where has January gone – somewhere amongst the haze of peak summer season in Picton? The Marlborough Sounds was a popular place for many New Zealanders, Australians and Europeans over the Christmas/New Year period and we have had a great time launching adventures for visitors from a few hours to a few days. As you can see from the photos below, our month was dominated by a range of weather, unfortunately unseasonably cool which did make some trips quite interesting.

The month also saw a fantastic New Years eve party and fireworks on the foreshore, the hosting of another Marlborough Farmers Market and the Picton Maritime festival - celebration of all things maritime, followed by live music and fireworks (again!). Picton really has been the place to be over the summer. A highlight for January has to be Dave appearing large as life on the front page of the Marlborough Express on our stand-up-paddlle boards – a new edition to our hire fleet. http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/6215985/Paddle-boardsproving-popular. He has been getting a suitably hard time about being Picton’s new “pin-up” boy!

February is a busy time for Marlborough residents and visitors with Blues & Brews, the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival early in the month, the Winery Tour visiting on 17 February with Gin Wigmore, Atlantic City and The Muttonbirds playing. Lots to see and do, mixed with a few days rest and recreation in the Sounds thrown in as well.

So as we rush into February we wish you a very belated happy and properous new year.

Another Big Weekend in Picton

msac — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:02:28 +0000

Picton was abuzz on Saturday morning with the inaugural Marlborough Farmers market in Picton featuring local produce from around Marlborough. This inaugural event is to be repeated on the first Saturday of each month between December and April. Stalls included fresh

MSAC Xmas Float

strawberries, eggs, pork, fish, hazelnuts and cheese.

It was a bonus to also have the cruise ship, Pacific Pearl, in port for visitors to enjoy the local produce and tours on offer. The ship was packed with Australians and we certainly noticed the increased number of “skinny milk” coffee drinkers!

The day finished with our annual Xmas parade which featured 30 community and business community floats. Our children and friends, and family dog Lulu, entered the parade and won 2nd prize in the parade. It was a big day all round!

Picture Postcard day for Volendam Visit to Picton today

msac — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:37:17 +0000

After a grey, damp morning the weather has cleared to a picture perfect day for cruise ship visitors on the Volendam. Seen here parked up against the Interislander ferry, Picton hosts the Volendam regularly as it navigates around New Zealand during the summer. Visitors are greeted by the ladies from the Lions Club who have gathered flowers from local gardens and created “boutonnaires” for cruise ship guests to wear whilst in Picton. Cruise ship guests can be seen wondering around the town, enjoying the market on the foreshore, coffee on the waterfront, and enjoying cruises, eco-tours, walks on the Queen Charlotte Track and sea kayak trips in the Sounds.

Society of American Travel Writers Hike Queen Charlotte Track

msac — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:55:39 +0000

: The SATW team depart Picton for the Queen Charlotte Track

After a conference in Wellington 19 members and their partners of the Society of American Travel Writers flew into Marlborough to join us for a 4 day walk on the Queen Charlotte Track. Departing Picton with The Cougar Line on Saturday with our guides Ray and Dave, they have spent the days hiking and nights staying at the three hotels on the track, Furneaux Lodge, Punga Cove Resort and Portage Resort Hotel. Some have even managed to squeeze in an afternoon sea kayak in the Kenepuru Sound and the collection and boiling of some fresh green-lipped mussels. There will be no doubt some great stories and images coming from the trip so we look forward to hearing and seeing the tales of their journey over the next few months.