Picton

Magic Mail Run with Beachcomber Cruises

The mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds. This is the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound / Tōtaranui making this a truly unique and interesting tour!

Queen Charlotte Sound Cruise and Walk

Sit back and relax as Cougar Line cruises the idyllic Queen Charlotte Sound taking you to Resolution Bay for the start of your 3 hour Queen Charlotte track experience. After you disembark at Resolution Bay, enjoy the gentle walk which traverses native forest over a low saddle offering a spectacular vantage point for the photographer. The gradual descent curls along the shoreline to historic Furneaux Lodge. From here you cruise back to Picton.

Full-Day Beyond the Vines Wine Tasting Tour with Marlborough Wine Tours

Take in the sights of Marlborough's wine country scenery and taste some of the region's best offerings on this full-day tour from Blenheim. We visit 5-6 wineries on the tour to taste Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir as well as some lesser known varieties from the area. One of the cellar doors will be a lunch venue - at your expense on the day. Our guides will take you on a journey through the region and you will taste many wines and learn so much more about wine production and our beautiful Marlborough region.

Ship Cove Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises

Cruise from Picton, up through the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to historical Ship Cove. Along the way, the skipper will provide a commentary on the surroundings, history and the wildlife be it bird, fish or mammal.

3 Day Independent Walk in Queen Charlotte Sound with Wilderness Guides

Gorgeous coastal views, the stunning Marlborough Sounds, and native bush – the Queen Charlotte Track is utterly unique. Your accommodation in comfortable standard ensuite rooms, luggage transfers, daily lunch and Picton drop off/pickups are all pre-arranged so that you can relax and enjoy your walk through this coastal paradise. All you need to do is purchase your breakfast and dinner along the way. Each night you come to rest at a comfortable accommodation complete with restaurant, fine wines and a superb setting.

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

4 Day Queen Charlotte Track Gourmet Guided Walk and Kayak with Wilderness Guides

When English explorer Captain James Cook sailed into the settled waters of the Marlborough Sounds in the late 17th Century, he must have believed this was paradise. Join Wilderness Guildes for a modern day journey in Cook's footsteps along the renowned Queen Charlotte Track. Explore this vast network of drowned river valleys from the unique perspective of this well-formed track and then from the seat of a sea kayak. Here lush coastal beech forest reaches out to greet lapping tides of ever-changing hues. Each night you come to rest at a comfortable accommodation, this is luxurious lodge to lodge walking and sea kayaking at its best!

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

5 Day Queen Charlotte Track Gourmet Guided Walk with Wilderness Guides

The five day guided walk is a great option with an additional night and rest day spent at Lochmara Lodge. Enjoy a massage, relax with a book or use the complimentary kayaks and rest those weary legs for a while. This trip stays at beautiful waterfront lodges with superb accommodation. Your track experience is made all the more easy by the Queen Charlotte Track’s unique water taxi pack transfer system leaving you to walk with just a day pack. After an exhilarating hike each day with a small group of fellow walkers, come to rest at the Furneaux Lodge, Punga Cove and Lochmara Lodge where you can enjoy a beautiful meal matched with fine Marlborough wine, all enjoyed in a stunning setting.

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

Blumine Island Bird Watching Tour with E-Ko Tours

For bird enthusiasts keen on seeking the rare and endangered Orange-fronted Kakariki, this tour is the ultimate afternoon Wildlife Experience. Your guide has a 90% success rate on finding this elusive bird and bird watchers from all over the world come to Blumine Island to photograph and view these amazing creatures. This predator-free bird sanctuary is also home to the South Island Saddleback, Bellbirds, Kereru, Tomtits, Tui, Weka and the very rare Mohua.
There is no jetty or pier onto the island, so you may end up with wet feet jumping on and off the vessel – but it’s worth it for the experience!

Cougar Line

Cougar Line Cruise plus lunch

Cruise through scenic Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui to a Marlborough Sounds resort for a sumptuous lunch.
Choose from Furneaux Lodge or Punga Cove in stunning Endeavour Inlet. After lunch, you'll be picked again for a relaxing boat ride home. You have two options:

Cruise and Lunch at Furneaux Lodge
Cruise to Furneaux Lodge through Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui in the morning, arriving in time for lunch at the Furneaux Restaurant. Choose your delicious lunch from the set men, and relax on the sweeping lawn overlooking Endeavour Inlet, or inside the cosy restaurant in Furneaux's historic homestead. Explore the grounds, do a short walk or simply drink in the views until it's time to meet at the jetty for the scenic cruise home.

Cruise and Lunch at Punga Cove
Cruise to Punga Cove through Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui in the morning, arriving in time for lunch at the Boatshed Cafe & Bar. Relax on the jetty while overlooking Endeavour Inlet, or inside the welcoming café while you enjoy your lunch from the tasty set menu, including stone-baked pizzas. Explore the grounds, sit on the beach or simply drink in the views until we pick you up again for the scenic boat ride home.

Great Journeys Coastal Pacific Train: Picton to Blenheim

Journey between Picton and Blenheim on the Coastal Pacific train, taking in stunning coastal and mountain views along the way. One of the world's most scenic train journeys, the Coastal Pacific showcases New Zealand's magnificent scenery, and includes an open air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean, fresh, sea air.

Half-Day Discover Marlborough Wines Tasting Tour with Marlborough Wine Tours

Your half-day tour begins with pick up from your Picton accommodation. Traveling by comfortable minivan, set out to explore the Marlborough wine region and admire the views as you drive through the rolling vineyards.
Stop along the way to visit four of Marlborough’s best wineries, soak up the scenery as you stroll through the vineyards, and learn more about New Zealand wine as you sample a variety of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling wines. There is also an option to buy a cheese platter or a small nibble along the way.

Motuara Island Bird Watchers Cruise with Beachcomber Cruises

This tour attracts bird lovers from around the world! Immerse yourself in the natural surroundings and stunning views of Motuara Island, a predator free haven for rare and endangered native birdlife. You may see iconic birds such as the Little Blue Penguin, South Island Saddleback, Bellbird, Tui and the rare King Shag.

Organic Wines of Marlborough - The Mana Sustainable Tour with Sounds Connection

This six-hour tour is truly an ultimate winery experience, The winegrowers of MANA's mission is to share, grow and advocate for the land. Pushing boundaries and breaking foundations is a long road they want to share with you. They strive to make wine that sings the song of the earth from which the grapes were born. These winemakers have committed their lives to strengthen the Turangawaewae of Marlborough. This very personal tour includes visits to the MANA Group of Huia, Te Whare Ra Clos Henri, Rockferry and Herzog Estate. Some wineries may not be available on the day and won't be visited and substituted with a similar winery visit.

Queen Charlotte Sounds Fishing Charter - 4 Hour Excursion

This Sounds Connection 4 hour fishing excursion will take you and your guests adventuring into the amazing Queen Charlotte Sound with a local, experienced skipper. You will venture a little further and see some of the spectacular scenery that the Marlborough Sounds is famous for. MV Tory is a 35-foot vessel designed specifically for fishing in the Marlborough Sounds. It has good cover and is suitable for all ages. All fishing gear, tackle and bait is included in the charter price.

Queen Charlotte Track - 3 Day Hike Bike Kayak Combo

Experience the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track by bike, foot and kayak. Views, bush, beaches - this adventure has it all. This 3 Day Hike/Bike/Kayak Combo takes the best sections of the Queen Charlotte Track to hike and mountain bike and rolls these together with a one day independent kayak rental to provide an affordable, fantastic package to 'do it all' in the Marlborough Sounds. Starting from Ship Cove on day one for a walk along the reserve and water taxi to Punga Cove, continuing on day two on bike along an exposed ridgeline with hill climbs to challenge you and finishing on day three with an independent kayak. 

It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

Seafood Odyssea Cruise with Marlborough Tour Company

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Queen Charlotte Sound with seemingly endless bays and coves to explore and different scenery around each corner. Seafood Odyssea Cruise offers a unique range of sightseeing, birdlife and wildlife. Learn about the Marlborough Sounds area, the local seafoods grown and enjoy a fabulous seafood tasting on board matched to stunning Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.