Last Decembers’ experience on the Lodges Of The Marlborough Sounds tour was such a success that we’re offering a similar exciting experience this year. ‘The Sounds’ are home to several exclusive lodges and resorts. Names such as The Portage, Furneaux Lodge and Punga Cove conjure up images of waters-edged retreats nestled in bush-clad corners that lead down to a beautiful sandy beach and a jetty for the boat.
Day 1: We begin our journey heading south where we’ll have lunch in Palmerston North before making our way to catch our ferry across Te Moana-o-Raukawa (Cook Strait). Tonight, we stay at the Picton Beachcomber.
Day 2: This morning you’ll have free time to explore Picton. We then take the first of what will be a number of water taxi trips and say goodbye to our coach for a few days. At the outer reaches of the Queen Charlotte Sound lies Endeavour Inlet and, in the upper reaches of the inlet sits Furneaux Lodge, our home for the next two nights. The beautiful historic homestead, which is at the centre of activities at the Lodge, was originally the hub of an estate that stretched over 3,500 acres and is today surrounded by our chalets.
Day 3: Today is a FREE DAY to relax or explore around the Lodge. Perhaps a short walk along part of the Queen Charlotte Track, a soak in the spa pool, take a fishing rod down to the jetty and try your luck, grab a book from the library and relax on the deck of your chalet…or maybe all these things. We’ll re-convene over dinner to swap stories of the day.
Day 4: We cross Endeavour Inlet today. Those more active can walk part of the famous Queen Charlotte Track while the rest of us go by boat across the Inlet to Punga Cove Resort. Set amongst stunning native bush, Punga Cove has long been a sought-after destination for international travellers wanting to relax in style. And their signature Punga Fern restaurant is situated to give breath-taking views across the entire inlet. We’ll enjoy lunch here before checking in to our rooms with time to explore the resort this afternoon.
Day 5: After a slow ‘Sounds time’ start we depart on the water taxi heading towards Torea Bay. Here we’ll be met by staff of our next destination, The Portage, based over the hill in Kenepuru Sound. This afternoon there’s time to explore our new surroundings before dinner in their highly acclaimed restaurant.
Day 6: Again, let the tranquil tides of the Sounds help you relax here at The Portage today. Enjoy a game of croquet on the lawn, try snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Sound or simply relax in the library with a good book as we have only one activity planned for today. A cruise into the remote Kenepuru Sound with local boat guide, Adrian. These turquoise waters have a fascinating history and we’ll also harvest mussels straight from the water to bring to the chef back at the lodge to cook for us tonight.
Day 7: Another superbly slow start to today as, mid-morning, we say farewell to Kenepuru Sound and The Portage and head back to ‘the mainland’ where we swap our water taxi for an Interislander ferry and head back across Cook Strait and spend our final night at the Copthorne Oriental Bay Hotel.
Day 8: This morning we head homeward via Palmerston North where there’s time for a bit of shopping before we arrive back in the Bay with many memories of a wonderful week together in ‘the Sounds’.
It’s in summer that we find the Marlborough Sounds at their sparkling best, when the water glistens and the sun warms the bush. Come and let the locals show you around whilst enjoying the care and standards of touring Bay Tours is known for.
We can’t think of a better way to relax and treat yourself before Christmas.