Every winter, a group of former whalers head up to a lookout at the end of awapara island, to spot the whales on their annual migration. Every winter, a group of former whalers head up to a lookout at the end of awapara island. The itinerary is designed to give walkers a complete package option with lots of flexibility so that you can include some sea kayaking, fishing or a wine tour during your walking holiday. Marlborough sounds, family activities kidz go new zealand.
Join us on new zealands best dolphin experience, where we take you to where the wildlife is on our dolphin swim or view experience. Experience a unique whale, dolphin, seal or penguin encounter in marlborough sounds, marlborough, new zealand. Marlborough sounds in new zealand things to see and do in. Marlborough sounds whale and dolphin watching new zealand. Whale watch kaikoura the great journeys of new zealand. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Sea kayaking in the marlborough sounds marlborough. We do all home maintenance inside and out including bach valets.
Forested hills rise steeply from the sea around an intricate coastline of sheltered inlets and sandy bays. As marlboroughs most experienced adventure tour operator on the queen charlotte track, we have an unsurpassed knowledge of how hikers like to enjoy this stunning walk. The area is abundant with wildlife, from penguins and rare king shags to dolphins and fur seals, and offers some of the worlds best boating, diving, fishing and hiking. Marlborough is a unitary authority, both a region and a district. The 15 best things to do in marlborough sounds 2020 with. Well be searching for dusky, bottlenose, common, orca and the rare hectors dolphins. The marlborough sounds offers some of the most idyllic and scenic kayaking in new zealand, with calm inlets, lots of wildlife and absolutely stunning scenery. As part of our road trip we spent a day taking the scenic route on queen charlotte drive.
The water can provide a dazzling display of colours in a thousand shades ranging from the brightest turquoise to the deepest green. The marlborough area has a very rich shorebased whaling history. The marlborough sounds were created by a combination of land subsidence and rising sea levels. The marlborough sounds are an extensive network of seadrowned valleys at the northern end of the south island of new zealand. The backdrop is a myriad of shades of green, from the overhanging. For a century or more picton serviced new zealands most intensive shore based. Select whales, dolphins, seals and penguins in marlborough sounds, marlborough, new zealand, from the list below. Endangered kiwi and various native birds including the king shag thrive on predatorfree islands in the marlborough sounds, as well as tuatara, gecko and native frogs. This series of drowned valleys is the north eastern edge of new zealands south island and the northern edge of the province of marlborough. Other walking tracks include the nydia track in pelorus sound a short loop track at cullen point, and the still to be completed link pathway between. Bay by bay in the marlborough sounds in the top of the south.
The dead whale was found caught up in a mussel farm in port ligar, near durville island, but. Skydive adventure experience the scenic marlborough sounds and surrounding marlborough region. Slip into marlborough sounds for a swim alongside pods of wild dolphins, with certified guides to help find the dolphins and ensure the tour is dolphinfriendly. The same goes for boat tours through the marlborough sounds and the tasman bay on the northern end of the southern island. Nov 11, 2014 on our way to a small job in the sounds we were lucky enough to be able to get up close and personal with these awesome creatures, recorded on my iphone 6. The sounds are divided into two main waterways, the pelorus sound, with havelock at its base, and queen charlotte sound, the main town of which is picton.
Try reading our extensive faqs or downloading our full terms and conditions. Early maori history te ara encyclopedia of new zealand. Bay of many coves is a beautiful and luxurious lodge located in the heart of the marlborough sounds, accessed only by boat or helicopter. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and the hauraki gulf. The marlborough sounds are connected to cook strait at the northeast extreme. The outer sounds have probably the largest variety of fish in marlborough and the best stocks in the sounds. Killer whales orca in the marlborough sounds new zealand.
Floating on the surface, these huge mammals spend several minutes intaking breaths and jettisoning clouds of water high into the air. The marlborough sounds are a series of drowned valleys at the northern end of the marlborough region of the northeastern tip of new zealands south island understand. The dead whale was found caught up in a mussel farm in port ligar, near durville island, but was likely dead. Explore new zealands stunning waters in a skippered or bareboat yacht or launch charter. Boaties beware as dead whale drifts north of marlboroughs durville island. The marlborough sounds are a series of drowned valleys at the northern end of the marlborough region of the northeastern tip of new zealands south island. In winter humpback whales visit the outer marlborough sounds near the cook strait.
Our half day trip sets off from a small bay away from the boats and bustle of picton harbour. Most of the wooded hillsides and peaceful bays are inaccessible by road, leaving the only means of transportation by boat. Find all the transport options for your trip from punakaiki to marlborough sounds right here. The sperm whale is the largest of all toothed whales and is believed to be the largest toothed animal to ever inhabit earth, measuring up to 18m long. The marlborough sounds encompass 1,500 km of coastline, bays, beaches and native forest. Let us take care of everything, while you sit back and enjoy the best new zealand has to offer. Marlborough sounds picton 2020 all you need to know. Best of all, you get to enjoy the leisurely pace and worldclass sc. According to maori mythology, the sounds are the prows of the sunken wakas of aoraki. In winter months you can find humpback whales at the edge of the cook strait, and occasionally in the marlborough sounds, but you can be sure someone else has spotted them first.
Marlborough marlborough is a region at the northeastern end of the south island of new zealand, chock full of great food to eat and intriguing sights to see. Whale watching in new zealand is predominantly centered around the areas of kaikoura and. Take in the sights of marlborough s wine country scenery and taste some of the regions best offerings on this fullday tour from blenheim. Marlborough is internationally recognised for producing world class wines and fresh seafood direct from the waters of the marlborough sounds. With 1500km of new zealands coastline, marlborough sounds is a collection of ancient sunken river valleys filled with the waters of the pacific ocean. The sounds are a popular recreational area and tourist destination, with the spectacular queen charlotte track running from ship cove to anakiwa one of marlboroughs premier tourist attractions. It is a place of incredible natural beauty, a place that needs to be seen to be believed. Kaiuma bay is located in the head of pelorus sound, marlborough sounds, new zealand known as a conservation community with an unrivalled lifestyle.
Its the ideal base for active types looking to get out exploring the sounds by boat, kayak or on foot, or exploring the more remote islands by helicopter with a picnic. The hauraki gulf marine park just outside auckland city is also a significant whale watching area with. The 10 best things to do in marlborough region 2020 with. The sounds are a visual feast of the interplay between the land, sea, nature and light and are divided into two main waterways, the pelorus sound, with havelock at its base, and queen charlotte sound, whose main town is picton. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in marlborough sounds, new zealand on tripadvisor. The 10 best things to do in marlborough region 2020. Bay of many coves, marlborough luxury resort in new. Boat and sailing charters in marlborough sounds nz online. Marlborough map south island, new zealand mapcarta. Some of the best fish numbers are near long island marine reserve in queen charlotte sound although fishing in the reserve is illegal. Make several stops at different wineries and taste sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, riesling and pinot noir as well as some lesser known varieties from the area.
Tory channel in the marlborough sounds bookended the era of new zealand shore whaling. Sounds property maintenance contractor picton, new. About queen charlotte track walks marlborough sounds. We encountered a pod of orcas in endeavour inlet, queen charlotte sound, marlborough sound, new zealand, in march 2011. Marlborough sounds cruise overview marlborough, new. Te awaiti, a shore whaling station, was set up on arapawa island in the marlborough sounds in the 1820s. Overlooking kenepuru sound on queen charlotte track our guided walks are an ideal option for those wanting that true walking holiday. Sea kayaking in the marlborough sounds marlborough sounds. Marlborough district council is based at blenheim, the largest town. The marlborough sounds were created by a combination of land subsidence. Marlborough is known for its dry climate, the marlborough sounds, and sauvignon blanc wine.
Clear sky, temperature 14, 0 mm, moderate breeze, 7 ms from westnorthwest. Blue cod are common around reefs as are kingfish, butterfish, hapuku, perch and tarakihi. Covering some 4,000 square kilometers of sounds, islands and peninsulas, the marlborough sounds lie at the south islands northeasternmost point, between tasman bay in the west and cloudy bay in the southeast. Yr long term forecast for marlborough sounds new zealand. The 15 best things to do in marlborough sounds 2020. Our packages are designed to ensure that no matter if you are a guided or independent hiker, your walking experience on the queen charlotte track is complete and comprehensive. Visit the perano whaling station or national whale centre in picton, nz. In 1911 the perano family founded a whaling industry at arapawa island that lasted until the end of whaling in 1964.
Book your tickets online for marlborough sounds, picton. Sounds property maintenance operating in the marlborough sounds area. Development of the historical story and perano whale station site is a proposal being developed by guardians of the sounds. Marlborough sounds coast in new zealand thousand wonders.
We currently have coverage over most of the marlborough sounds and many parts of st arnaud, wairau valley, waihopai valley, and the wairau plans to provide high speed broadband services throughout marlborough we use a number of wireless towers that cover different areas. July newsletter click this thumbnail to download the hires pdf version of the newsletter that you can then print out. Marlborough sounds in new zealand things to see and do. At this point, the north island is at its closest to the south island, and the interisland road, rail, and passenger ferry service between picton and wellington travels through the sounds marine farming, especially of salmon and mussels, is increasingly common, having started in the 1960s. Chart nz 615 marlborough sounds new zealand hydrographic. In december 1964, a metre long bull spermwhale, harpooned off kaikoura was the last whale to be caught in new zealand. Bay of many coves, marlborough luxury resort in new zealand. It is renowned for its high sunshine hours, new zealands largest winegrowing area, whale and fur seal watching off the kaikoura coast and the sunken valleys of the marlborough sounds, where most of the worlds greenlipped mussels are. At te awaiti, established by the legendary john guard fleetingly in 1827 and permanently from 183031, you can still see trypots, the terraces of european huts and historic graves.
Harry is stage 1 on that development which is to be 5 years in the process putting marlborough sounds on the international cetacean map. Perano whaling station nzhistory, new zealand history online. Jan 25, 2018 a carcass of a large 16metre whale has been found in the outer marlborough sounds. The almost fractal coastline has 15 of the length of new zealands coasts. Dolphins marine mammals marlborough sounds picton nz.
Known as the whale capital, kaikoura is a worldfamous whale watching site, in particular for sperm whales which is currently the most abundant of large whales in new zealand waters. Located at the top of the south island east of abel tasman national park, the marlborough sounds are as easy going as anywhere in new zealand. Take in the sights of marlboroughs wine country scenery and taste some of the regions best offerings on this fullday tour from blenheim. The area has three main bodies of water queen charlotte, kenepuru and pelorus sounds. To download martin cawthorns excellent article on maori, whales and whaling. The pinnacle of many peoples visit to new zealand is an exhilarating whale watch kaikoura encounter to witness sperm whales as they rest between dives. Best of all, you get to enjoy the leisurely pace and worldclass scenery of our great journeys along the way. Marlborough sounds whaling nelson, marlborough and. Our handpicked shortbreaks include transfers and accommodation alongside iconic new zealand activities. Perano and company harpooned their last whale in new zealand waters. Swimming with wild dolphins is a genuine bucket list activity we never get tired of seeing the joy and wonder on the faces of our swimmers. Departing wellington aboard an interislander ferry, youll travel through the magical marlborough sounds to picton, before heading on to lochmara lodge for 3 days of blissful relaxation.
Swim with wild dolphins in the marlborough sounds join us on new zealands best dolphin swimming experience in the shimmering, flat waters of the scenic marlborough sounds. Feb 05, 2015 the marlborough sounds are an extensive network of seadrowned valleys at the north end of the south island of new zealand. After doing multiday kayaking in both abel tasman and marlborough sounds pelorus and queen charlotte i have to say marlborough sounds provided my most magical experience in new zealand so far. Marlborough sounds picton all you need to know before. The marlborough sounds consists of 1500km of new zealands coastline, so finding a corner to call your own in a sea kayak is not difficult. Orca killer whales marine life marlborough sounds nz. Dolphin swimming tour swim with wild dolphins in the. On our way to a small job in the sounds we were lucky enough to be able to get up close and personal with these awesome creatures, recorded on my iphone 6. Humpback whales marine life marlborough sounds picton. Boaties beware as dead whale drifts north of marlboroughs. The winding waterways of the sounds hold dolphins, stingrays, seals, and even orca and whales on their seasonal migration. Queen charlotte sound cruise guide the marlborough cruise.
The marlborough sounds are a visual feast of the interplay between the land, sea, nature and light. The oil was taken off the top, with up to five tonnes of oil considered a good haul from a humpback whale. Marlborough sounds whaling peaked in 1960, with 78 whales being killed in 16 days during june and a total of 226 humpback whales being caught in the whole season. Boaties beware as dead whale drifts north of marlborough s durville island. Take a whale or dolphin watching cruise, swim with whales or dolphins. Marlborough sounds cruise overview marlborough, new zealand. Punakaiki to marlborough sounds 2 ways to travel via bus. Kayaking with orcas, queen charlotte sound, new zealand.
Watch for dusky, bottlenose, common, orca, and hectors dolphins, and if conditions allow, youll have the chance to view the dolphins from inside the water. Most of the wooded hillsides and peaceful bays are inaccessible by road, leaving the only means of transportation by boat or by foot and sometimes by bike. Boaties beware as dead whale drifts north of marlboroughs d. A carcass of a large 16metre whale has been found in the outer marlborough sounds. Maui, kupe and tamateapokaiwhenua some early place names in marlborough link the region with the trickster demigod maui, whose waka was the south island.