South Island, New Zealand
02/09/2005 - 02/12/2005
Queen Charlotte Sound
The Marlborough Sounds form the jagged edge of the South Island's northeast corner. Three major sounds, Pelorus, Kenepuru and Queen Charlotte, offer incredible vistas, forests and bays. Walking tracks wind along the ridges and valleys toward the shores and back up into the forests. The absence of roads on the fingers of land results in the untouched beauty of the area.
The small town of Picton tends to be the first stop for everyone visiting the Marlborough area. Ferries from Wellington on the North Island arrive with loads of tourists starting their South Island explorations. The three hour ferry ride takes people and cars 19 kilometers (12 miles) across Cook Strait from Wellington (North Island) to Picton (South Island). Since we flew into Christchurch, we did not take the ferry from Wellington.
Here is the view from the head of Queen Charlotte Sound as approached on the drive from Nelson to Picton.
Our visit to the Marlborough Sounds concentrated on Queen Charlotte Sound. While planning the trip, Robin contemplated booking a 4 day "tramp" along the Queen Charlotte Track. Instead, we decided to go the "soft" route and stay in a resort near the track with options for day hikes rather than the 4 day tramp. We will save the 4 day tramp for another visit.
Thirty minutes north of Picton is the beautiful Bay of Many Coves Resort. We chose to stay here for its proximity to the Queen Charlotte Track as well as its remoteness. To get to the resort, the resort booked us on a water taxi. Not only does the water taxi deliver people to many locations, but it delivers all the supplies - food, wine, trash, luggage - to and from the lodges and homes on Queen Charlotte Sound. Another service provided by the water taxi is the transport of trampers packs from lodge to lodge. This is way cool. In the morning, they pick up your pack, you hike all day to the next lodge and your luggage awaits you at your destination....what a great way to hike.
A tiny town with a nice marina near Picton. Picton serves as a hub of arrival for many tourists on the South Island.
The ferry terminal is quite active. Ferries transport cars and people between the North and South Islands.
Hidden behind a hill sits this reminder of New Zealand's active timber industry.
While waiting for ferries or water taxis, many folks take a rest on the palm lined grassy area at Picton's waterfront.
The water taxi carries us from Picton to the Bay of Many Coves.
Given the remote location of the resort and the only options for food were at the resort restaurant, we purchased a few provisions prior to departing Picton. For a nominal fee, the water taxi company offers secure parking. We chose this option for storing the rental car since we were leaving some of our luggage in the car.
One of several beautiful homes hidden in coves throughout the Queen Charlotte Sound. We can picture a holiday getaway home in this area.
The dock of The Lazy Fish Guest House is quite the inviting entry to the resort.
Perhaps we will stay here next time we visit Queen Charlotte Sound.
Hmmmm, do you think the phone in the booth works?
The Bay of Many Coves Dock awaits our arrival.
En route to the Bay of Many Coves, we stopped at private docks to drop off people staying in the holiday homes located in bays throughout the sound. We also stopped at another resort, The Lazy Fish, to drop off a few of their guests. This place looks like a great place to stay. After a great tour of many of the coves and bays, we arrived at the Bay of Many Coves. Within moments of arrival, we decided to extend our stay from three nights to five nights (but we could only get four). This oasis looked like the perfect place to relax and enjoy the area for as long as possible.
Tucked onto the hillside of one of the "many coves" sits the resort. The building exteriors blend into the hillside creating a sense of trying not to disturb the natural surroundings.
Once inside the room, casual luxury and comfort exude from every fixture and furnishing.
A casual cafe located on the waterfront is the perfect place to grab lunch or a snack.
We chose to celebrate our arrival with a glass of bubbles.
The morning view from the bed confirms just how special this place is.
Check out the cool sliding windows. This type of window seems to be quite popular in New Zealand. We love them!
This little kitchen is bigger than Whisper's galley.
Here's the bathroom. Okay, Duncan took pictures of everything in the place 'cuz we were ready to move in. Everything was done to our liking.
The dining room and its view made us want to have a dinner party.
And, one more shot of the view out of the bedroom window. You get the picture....we REALLY liked this place.
The gourmet restaurant enticed us into eating this tasty apple strudelly-type treat. Duncan better get the camera out of his hand before the dessert is gone.
From the resort, we hiked up this trail. Up in the operative word in the previous sentence. Up and up we went....
...until we reached the payoff. Scenic views of Queen Charlotte Sound and its surrounds give a feel for this undeveloped the area.
How about a nice Kiwi bach right down there...
This view looks toward the mouth of the sound into Cook Strait. On this clear day, we were able to see the bottom tip of the North Island.
One more view.
One of the amenities of the resort are kayaks. Duncan opted for a closed deck kayak while Robin picked the sit-on top model. What fun!
We kayaked around the bay checking out the holiday homes and coves.
We reserved a pick-up from the water taxi to take us to Resolution Bay. A day hike walking the Queen Charlotte Track from Resolution Bay to the Endeavour Inlet was our objective.
The cloud cover did not result in great photos, but the walk and the views were still rewarding.
Duncan takes a quick rest in the log chair beside the track.
Just as the rain started, we hopped on the water taxi for the ride back to the Bay of Many Coves.
Aahh, this looks like a wonderful place to bring a sailboat. Hmmmmm....
Throughout our stay, an Australian film crew from the travel show Getaway filmed the resort and its surrounding area. Watching the crew set up shots and film was fun to see. The only scary moment was while we were at the swimming pool. Here we are relaxing by the pool in our bathing suits as most people do at the pool. Then, the film crew comes down to the pool to film the beautiful host of the show, Natalie, whilst she frolics in the pool and spa. So far, so good. Here's where it gets scary. They then decide to interview us. It was horrifying to be sitting on a lounge chair dripping wet with exposed fat rolling over bathing suits talking to a beautiful TV host while being filmed. We remain hopeful the footage never made it to TV.
After several fantastic days relaxing at the pool, sitting in the spa, hiking the Queen Charlotte Track and kayaking the Bay of Many Coves, we regretfully had to leave. Jokingly, we talked to the manager of the resort to see if she would let us move in or work at the resort. For now, we bid Queen Charlotte Sounds and the Bay of Many Coves adieu.