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.
Picture Postcard day for Volendam Visit to Picton today
November 16th, 2011Society of American Travel Writers Hike Queen Charlotte Track
November 14th, 2011
- 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.
Labour Weekend in Picton
October 22nd, 2011It has been a chilly start to Labour Weekend in Picton after a stunning day here yesterday. Fantastic to see so many Christchurch residents here this weekend and see them relaxing, enjoying the peace and quiet of Picton and the Marlborough Sounds. There is lots to do this weekend with sea kayaking, mountain biking, hiking on the Queen Charlotte Track all excellent options for a day or two. Coffee on the waterfront is proving to be a popular option along with our hot chocolates - cocoa beans specially roasted by Ozone Coffee Roasters (yum!). The pubs and cafe’s are gearing up for the big game tomorrow night and there certainly seems to be a few nerves around! Go the All Blacks
Half Day Kayaking Trip in the Marlborough Sounds
January 15th, 2011
Amatya is on a spontaneous trip to New Zealand after spending a few months working in Bangalore, India. Originally from Switzerland, the 24yr old made the most of the sunshine earlier this week & spent a half day kayaking with Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co. “Back to nature after a few crazy months in India!”
Equipped with an MSAC/Ozone Cuppucino, I headed off to Ngakuta Bay with my guide, Blair, & several other adventurers. After lowering the kayaks from the trailer onto the beach we received all the paddle, drybag and life-jacket instructions (‘In case of emergency you will find the next exit located to your left and right.’) We then headed off to sea! What if my kayak were to just throw me overboard at the next wave? I was quite releived to find these worries quite unnecessary. The kayaks were easy to manoeuver and, if paddling in sync with your partner, you simply cut through the waves.
We passed amazing scenery and spotted a variety of birds and elegantly moving stingrays. (A head-on encounter with the latter would not be so enjoyable of course). Blair provided us with an amazing amount of information on New Zealand’s history and forest conservation projects. I would have done much better in my history class if I were passing beautiful bays and getting sprayed with seawater by my partners paddle now and then! With strong strokes, we crossed the harbour and arrived mesmerized, feeling proud of our journey.
A few days later, I went with some of my NZ-based family on a Freedom Kayak Rental to further explore the Marlborough Sounds. We paddled 2 doubles & a single out to Kumatoto Bay where they we stopped for a rest-turned-lunch stop-turned-overnight camping spot. My eldest cousin Jacob, whipped up a gourmet (2minute) pasta concoction while his younger brother, Tarn, boiled up steaming cups of tea.
The following day, we enjoyed trailing sting rays along the coast & photographing a big seal lounging in the sunshine. Jake, an experienced kayaker, showed his sister, Indigo, how to ‘brace’ in a kayak. This resulted in, well, a few rolls and a lot of fun and laughter 
A slow paddle on home to Picton made for more Ozone coffee & massive plates of scrambled eggs on toast. What an awesome mission!
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- Amatya, ready to hit the sea.
Kayaking Adventure – Season Kick off!
December 12th, 2010Arriving back in Picton from around the globe, a few friends got together for a fairly spontaneous kayaking adventure with Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co.
Some of us were meeting for the first time & some were old friends who hadn’t seen each other since we had escaped NZ winter for warmer pastures in the Northern Hemisphere. However, as soon as we hit the water, we were marveling at the place we once again called home.
The team was made up of 3 Swedish girls, one Scottish/Kiwi lass & 2 Kiwi lads. For the most part, we made a pretty eclectic, humourous bunch who were keen for a bit of adventure in the Marlborough Sounds.
Monday morning had us up & grabbing Ozone coffee (& the odd can of Redbull) as we set about launching 2 double & 2 single sea kayaks off the Picton Foreshore. The wind was light & made for a cruisy paddle out of the harbour & across to Double Cove where we stopped for a nutritious snack (hummus, bread & bottles of Tui).
The fleet paddled on with plenty of banter to keep us entertained. When we arrived at Kumatoto Bay, we set up camp in the Native Bush & bathed in the early Summer sunshine. So good to be home! Sitting on the beach, we all looked out at the Sounds feeling lucky to be in such a beautiful place.
The evening had us gathered on the beach, chatting, munching ravioli, carving ineffective fish spears, track missions in the bush & so much laughing we fell off our seats/logs. During the night we had a visit from a bush piglet (a bushlet?) & a cheeky Weka who stole some of Kristen’s bread!
On Tuesday morning, we feasted on cereal, leftover risotto & coffee which Blair brewed cup by cup over his handy camping percolator. We set off back to Picton, cruising by a fur seal napping in the sunshine.
Heading toward Grove Arm, the wind picked up & had us ducking into bays & doing a bit of tame wave surfing & sailing with our paddles in the air.
We arrived back in Picton, happily tired, salt-encrusted, sun tanned, hungry for lunch & some more adventure.
Thanks Marlborough Sounds Adventure Co.
